Page 17 of The Other Side of Together

I toss him a weary glance, then pull out my Sharpie and write the final game score on my arm. “I like girls.” Especially when there are girls like Mei anywhere in this universe. Haven’t told Johnny or any of the guys about her ‘cause I don’t want Dad to find out, and they have oversized mouths.

“Good to know, since there’s a whole stadium full of them who want you.” He shakes his head. “And Tavah, man. She’s fine. And Savvy’s best friend, so…best friends dating best friends…”

I pull up a picture of my future motorcycle on my phone, flashing it at Johnny. “Meet my girl—she’s Asian. I like Asians.” Huh. Yeah. True. But I can’t reallylikelike the real-life Asian girl until after I get my two-wheeled Asian girl.

“No wonder you tear it up on the field. All that pent up frustration.”

I laugh again. “Maybe you should stop scoring with Savvy and you’d score on the field more often.” I smirk at my phone screen as it lights up with a call from an unknown number. Usually, I wouldn’t answer but Johnny’s not gonna drop the girl thing. I accept the call and hold it to my ear. “Hello?”

“Magic 8 is kind of bossy.”

My entire body stiffens, down to my sore calves, and I shoot up in my seat. Girl. Phone number. Magic 8 ball. No freakin’ way.

“Hello? Can I talk to Buddha, maybe?”

I swipe my arm across my forehead, glad she can’t smell through the phone.

“Who is it?” Johnny mouths.

He’ll tell the guys and there’ll be no mercy. Then, when they’re all over some night, Dad will hear the jokes and—

“Hello?” Mei’s voice is in my ear and the reality gets me to my feet.

I grab the overhead rail and walk down the aisle away from Johnny and his curiosity. “Uh…sorry—hey. Buddha’s…in the shower. And then he has meditations and a whole bunch of other stuff before bed. Can I give him a message?” I put my fist to my mouth where my lips aren’t sure whether to smile or let out a scream.

“It must be time-consuming being a hostage.”

“I’ve got him doing all my chores in his free time. Organizing drawers, returning emails, folding my socks. Which is really hard for someone his size.”

“Mmm. Important stuff.” She’s smiling. She. Is. Smiling.

I grip the rail tighter, the metal burning against my sweaty palm. “Don’t sound so sad. I’m sure we can work out visitation rights or something.”

“Isn’t he afraid of losing his place to a Magic 8 ball?”

“Uh, no.” I smile to the black tunnel outside the window. “He and Magic 8 are working together, and turns out they’re pretty effective. Also, he told me he prefers the view from my windowsill. You know, street versus alley. He’s grateful for the guy time too ‘cause he said you talk about embarrassing girl stuff, and he needs sports talk and bad language. But he did tell me in total confidence that he misses you.” I curl my toes in my Adidas.

“Sounds like a lot of late nights for someone so old. He should probably come home and rest. I’m afraid he might pick up some bad habits.”

“Oooh.” I sigh. “Too late, but…” I lower my voice. “Maybe we could schedule a visit? I’ll give you two some time, and we’ll let him decide if joint custody is possible.”

“I’m listening…”

Should’ve thought before I spoke. “Um, okay, so…” Where do I meet her? Can’t meet at The Clubhouse; Dad will come home and sense all the girl voodoo in our apartment. My mind flicks through locations, but the train lady announces my stop and I’m out of thinking time. The only thing on my mind besides Mei is Oreos. “Meet me at Phil’s Big Deal.”

“Umm…where?”

“You know—Phil. The market guy around the corner from our apartments. Big orange sign? Next to the new boba place?” Silence. “He’s bald? White goatee? Wears purple pants way too short for him? Not sure what the store’s actually called—can’t speak Chinese. I just call it Phil’s Big Deal ‘cause he holds mahjong tournaments in his basement.”

“Where Guo Mama goes on Sunday nights?”

“That’s the place! Meet me there in five? In front of the Oreos? Aisle three.”

“Okay.” Her voice curls at the end.

I end the call, then stare at my phone, my stomach wrapped around itself like a mass of cold, jittery noodles. The moment I daydreamed about all day is about to happen in real time. Me and Mei…alone. If only I already had my motorcycle. If only I knew what’s going on between her and Face Eater. Also, if only I was as smooth in real life as I am in my head. Oh, the things we’ve done in my head.

Johnny’s still watching me as I grab pole after pole, walking back to my seat to grab my bag. “Don’t even try to lie to me, Miller. That was a girl on the phone.”

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