Page 36 of Lost Boy
“Mentiroso,”Ryder mumbles under his breath, and I have no idea what that means, but hearing him speak Spanish like that makes my dick twitch.
“Ryder! I heard that.”
“I know, Dad. I’m taking my snack choice because I should have won and because of your lies. Fallon can have that, plus one for his birthday.”
It’s like he could read my mind. I don’t hesitate to reach forward and grab my haul, instantly peeling back the top of the Pringles and popping a stack of three into my mouth. I’m starving.
“You just had birthday pancakes,” Joel says in astonishment.
“Do the appetites of teenage boys really surprise you anymore, my love?” Alejandro turns his amused eyes to me. “What do you want for your birthday dinner, Fallon?”
I pop more chips into my mouth and think.
“Anything,” Uncle Joel insists.
“Steak,” I answer because it’s really the only nice food I know, and they look like they’re expecting a nice choice.
“And anything else? Baked potato? Fries? Broccoli? Lobster?”
“All of it,” I answer honestly if he’s offering.
Sofie giggles, tearing open a bag of peanut M&M’s. “You should come stay at our house sometimes. Georgina, our chef, would love you. Ry only ever wants chicken fingers or cheeseburgers.”
“And pudding!” Ryder defends, causing everyone to laugh and maybe pull another little smile from me thinking back to that first day at lunch when he insisted I eat his tapioca.
“I saw that, Blue,” he whispers into my ear.
I knew that sliver of joy breaking through the haze wouldn’t go unnoticed by the golden boy. Of course he’d see. I’m trying not to let any defensiveness or resentment I’ve built up from my past affect my future with this family I seem to have found.
“I already texted her to make an ice cream cookie for Fallon,” he declares proudly.
A chorus of praise rings out, and I’m pretty excited to try this birthday dessert.
Uncle Joel pulls his phone out. “I’m thinking we order in from the new steakhouse on Fifth Street. I’ll check out the menu.”
“Now isn’t the time to take risks on a new restaurant. We need amazing food, guaranteed, tonight,” Alejandro adds.
“Dad’s a restaurant snob,” Ryder whispers to me.
“Let’s go to our house for dinner, then!” Sofie says with excitement. “I’ll text Georgie that we want surf and turf with different potato options, some broccoli, pudding, and maybe an actual cake too. Since that’s probably what Fallon is used to on his birthday. We can’t deny him his own traditions.” Her pink sparkly thumbs fly across the screen, and there’s no time to argue, even if I had the energy or desire. “Sent. It’s happening. Birthday party at our place!”
I don’t miss the look that Ryder and his dad share, as if it’s unusual for her to be excited to go to her house. I don’t want to crush her spirit by telling her I don’t want a party. Don’tdeservea party.
Sofia grabs the remaining snacks, shoving them into her hoodie in massive handfuls until the pockets bulge. “Y’all are too old for all this candy anyway. It’ll go straight to your asses!” she hollers as she scurries toward the staircase, giggling the entire way.
My smile threatens to break free completely, but the numbness stops it.
“Sofia Eleanor Cruz!”
“Sorry not sorry, Dad!”
And then a door slams shut before promptly reopening. “Oops! Sorry! Didn’t mean that!” she calls downstairs. The door clicks shut quietly, then opens again ten seconds later. “Georgie says dinner will be ready at six sharp! But to come much earlier!”
The thought of all the food I requested being handmade just for me gets me excited for this dinner. I just need to find a way to sneak my birthday blunt before we go or take it with me.
“When do you want to leave?” Uncle Joel asks me.
“Whenever,” I reply, decisive as ever.
