Page 131 of Home Town Advantage
Sulley nods. “I get it. I’m friends with a few of the players on the Anacondas. They’ll be at the game tomorrow. I can introduce you.”
Jagger’s eyes widen. “That would be amazing. Thank you.”
We have a nice meal. Everyone gets along well. The Humblecuts are on their best behavior until dessert, when Sulley says, “Momma, this pie came out perfectly.”
Hank’s head snaps toward Daylen. “Did she just saymama?”
Daylen slowly nods his head. “I believe she did.”
Oh Christ, here we go.
Jagger moans. “Ahh. Please, no. Not tonight.” She turns to my family and the O’Sheas, explaining and apologizing in advance for this little game that Hank and Daylen like to play.
Daylen looks at Hank with a straight face. “Yo mama is so dumb, it takes her two hours to watch60 Minutes.”
There are a few low laughs at the table, but Hank doesn’t blink.
Hank replies, “Yo mama is so dumb, she tried to climb Mountain Dew.”
I let out a loud laugh, but Daylen doesn’t even crack a smile.
MeeMaw scoffs. “Oh, please. You two think yo mama jokes are funny?” She shakes her head in disapproval. “Yo mama jokes are so old and have been done by way too many people,” a sly smile finds her face, “just like yo mama.”
The whole table erupts in laughter. Daylen falls to his knees and bows to MeeMaw. “You are the master. I worship at the altar of my queen.”
MeeMaw bats her eyelashes. “You’re not even the first man to say that to me today.”
My mom covers her eyes in mortification as she shouts, “Mother!”
After dessert,Daylen and I are cleaning the dishes. He looks at me. “You ready for tomorrow?”
I nod. “Yep. Big game.” If we win, we lock up the top seed for the playoffs, meaning every game will be a home game until the Super Bowl. It’s a huge advantage in football. Having your hometown crowd cheering for you is invaluable. Playing on the field you play on all year is everything.
He motions his head toward Frank, who’s standing alone at my fireplace. He’s staring at the Christmas stocking with Finn’s name on it. “Go talk to him. I’ve got this.”
“You sure?”
He nods. “We’re almost done with these dishes. Go ahead.”
“Thanks, man.” He knows I planned to talk to Frank tonight.
I walk over and hand Frank a glass of bourbon. I have a very small one for myself since we have a game tomorrow, but I set another full glass on the mantel just above Finn’s stocking.
Frank holds up the glass. “Thank you for this, and thank you for hosting us.”
I clink glasses with his. “My pleasure. I need to talk to you. When my season’s over, I want to ask Sulley to spend her life with me. I’d like your blessing.”
His attention turns to the glass sitting on the mantel. “Is that for Finn?”
I nod. “Yes, sir. I thought he should be here for this conversation too.”
Tears fill his eyes as he takes a long sip. “Her mother andyours were hoping an engagement would happen tomorrow morning.”
A small smile finds my lips. “Sulley said she won’t agree to marry me unless I win a Super Bowl first.”
He chuckles. “That sounds like my girl. How do you plan to propose?”
“Privately. I’d happily propose in front of the world, but she’s fiercely protective of our privacy. When my season is over, I think I’ll take her on a nice vacation and do it there, away from any prying eyes.”
