Page 123 of Call the Shots
“Can someone see if you replayed their Vanysh story?” I asked, trying to sound casual, because I didn’t know how I would’ve explained it.
“Uh, only the pictures you send to them,” Montoya answered. “Not the story.”
“If they could, June would press charges,” Nick replied. “I know you’re still watching it.”
Shit.
I clicked out of her story but that showed the last message I sent her.
me
great dress looks like a fun night have fun!
Nobody could’ve sent a more embarrassing text. I sounded like a dude fresh out of a bunker who was grateful to talk to a woman for the first time. I internally cringed reading it and cringed for real when I read June’s reply.
killer june
thanks!
Her big plans tonight included a fancy dinner while mine were losing my captain’s badge, pizza, and listening to Nick cuss out Fridge overNoped,a horror video game.My phone buzzed with the timer, and I sighed, motioning to Montoya.
“There’s a gory chimpanzee scene coming up.”
His hands flew to cover his eyes. Montoya was squeamish with the bloody parts, and I had to look up parental ratings to find the scenes he’d gag through.
“This is what we’re doing tonight,” I muttered listlessly, running a hand over my face. “Mom filled up my tank, we could go somewhere.”
“Nothing far,” Fridge warned. “If you’re late to practice, Vernon’s going to make you pay for it.”
Sure. Yeah. I pulled up one of those apps with local events and changed the zip code. There had to be something.
“Hey.” I swung over to sit in the chair properly. “There’s a ping pong tournament, no entry fee, and dollar wells night—that’s cheap liquor. Plus, it’s a tavernanda bar. Everybody can get in.”
“Where at?” Nick asked.
I cleared my throat. “Uh…Round Rock.”
“What?” He choked on his soda. “The city thirty minutes above Austin?”
“We’re seeing June?” Montoya asked.
“No,” Fridge said, his voice flat. “Something’s bound to happen and we’ll be late for practice.”
“June won’t wander to another city,” Nick snorted. “Is she supposed to buy this?”
“Why don’t you ask her if you can meet up?” Fridge pressed.
“Because that’s weird.”
“That’sweird?” Nick demanded. “Not driving three hours forthis?That’s not the weirder option? Weirdest option?”
“I had a shit day?—”
“I feel for you, man,” Fridge interjected. “We all do?—”
“I need to see June,” I blurted out.
No one said anything but Nick sighed, pushing his controller away.
