Page 43 of Scoreless Nights

When we pulled up, Lil’s eyes widened as she got out of the car and shut her door. She looked up at the building knowing exactly where she was.

“Your mom’s place?” she said, but somehow also made it a question.

“Yep. This is where I worked growing up. My mom's second child, and the main love of her life. She’s worked so hard, and I’m so proud of her. Tico was my grandpa’s nickname.”

“Do you still help her out around here?”

“Nah. I tried to wait tables a few years ago when she needed an extra server, but people were learning who I was at that time and it wasn’t very much help.”

Guiding her by the small of her back, I opened the door and nodded to the hostess. She showed us to the table my mom had saved for us in the back where I could dine without fans noticing me too much.

Lil and I sat in the booth facing one another, but her eyes went above my head, and I rolled my eyes, already knowing what she was looking at. “It looks like your mom is very proud ofyou, as well. There’s a whole wall with pictures of you and one of your jerseys is framed.”

“Maybe we should switch sides, because that’s actually embarrassing.”

The way she laughed made me change my mind instantly because I wanted more of her laughter. “I think it looks amazing and if it makes you squirm, that makes it even better.”

“So all of a sudden, you like to see me squirm?”

“No, I’ve always liked to see you squirm.”

We smiled at each other, our eyes connecting across the table. For a moment, it was completely quiet, and all I could think about was making her squirm again, as well. I couldn’t look away from the gorgeous woman Lillian had turned into, especially when she looked so happy.

It seemed like every time I went to my dad’s, she was unhappy. My dad would say she was just a teenager, but it always felt like there was more to it than that. If I had had the guts, I would’ve asked her myself. I didn’t go to her school, but I used to picture myself showing up and finding whoever it was that made her unhappy. Of course, I never admitted that to anyone, and a part of me knew she was so unhappy just because I was there, no matter how many times Dad assured me that it was just a phase.

Looking at her years later, maybe it was a phase. Or maybe it was because we were actually talking and getting along. It made her smile. It mademesmile. I almost regretted all the years I spent not trying to make her smile when I had the chance.

“Hi, how are you doing this evening–” The waitress cut herself off when I looked up at her.

I didn’t recognize the waitress. It’d been a couple of months since I had been to Tico‘s, and Mom was always hiring new people. But she recognized me and started backing away with her hand over her mouth.

“You’re, you’re, you’re…” she gasped.

“Hey,” I raise my hand awkwardly, half waving, and half trying to get her to stay quiet. “Is my mom around?”

She nodded while she kept her hand over her mouth and then turned to walk away quickly. I would prefer my mom be our server for the night. Plus, I wanted her to meet Lil.

Lil watched the waitress walk away with amusement on her face. She didn’t think I saw, but she snorted and shook her head, not believing the response the waitress had to who I was.

“I will have you know,” I leaned across the table, “I’m kind of a big deal around here.”

She leaned forward and met me halfway across the table before glancing over my head again, and then back into my eyes. “I know. It’s literally written on the wall.”

We both laughed and fell back into our seats right as my mom came around the corner.

“Hi, I’m Mariana. Cruz’s mother. You are Lillian, and I am so happy to finally meet you.”

Lillian slid from her booth and surprisingly didn’t shake my mom’s hand. She wrapped her arms around her neck and squeezed, making my mom close her eyes while she hugged her back.

“I know exactly who you are, Ms. Cruz. Ivan always sang your praises.”

“But Cruz didn’t sing my praises?” She asked, her accent sounding strong. She had her hands on her hips, giving me a side eye with a smirk on her face.

“It's only been a week that we’ve actually spoken more than two words to each other.”

“Well, you’re all grown up and gorgeous. I’ve only ever seen pictures of you.”

“Same to you. So gorgeous, but only ever seen pictures of you.”

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