Page 34 of Home Town Advantage
The caterer serves us all our food as Kennedy stares violently at Layla, seemingly waiting for the servers to leave before responding. Once they do, she bites back, “Aren’t hall passes technically supposed to be for someone who’s unachievable? You’ve likely met my father. He’s a free agent now. I’m sure he’s having a grand old time being single with the bevy of bimbos lined up at his door.”
“He’s not,” I interrupt, again feeling defensive of Coach. “He’s very focused on your brother. He’s put his own social life on hold until your brother graduates.”
She mumbles something about doubting that but otherwise drops it before turning to Presley and asking, “Who’s your hall pass?”
His eyes widen. “This feels like a trap.”
Layla rubs his back. “It’s okay, love. You can tell them who.” She then turns and mouths to the rest of us. “He has no chance.”
All eyes turn to Presley. He fidgets nervously. “It’s…umm…Jennifer Connelly.”
I shrug. “She’s hot. A little older, but still hot. Nothing wrong with that.”
Layla smirks. “Continue, chiquito.”
He visibly swallows. “Jennifer Connelly from when she was riding?—”
“The horse inCareer Opportunities,” Daylen interrupts.
Presley blows out a breath in relief. “Yes. So hot.”
Daylen nods. “I think every guy jerks off to that scene. It’s a rite of passage. No shame in that.”
Career Opportunitieswas a cheesy nineties movie. It wasn’t very successful, but every man in America had some sexual response to that scene of Jennifer Connelly riding a fake horse in a department store.
There’s been music playing in the background, just barely loud enough to hear. Suddenly, Beau starts quietly singing, almost as if he doesn’t realize he’s doing so. It’s the song “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen. In his crazy deep voice, he sings as he wiggles in his seat.
Palmer starts giggling at the big guy knowing all the words. Before I realize it, almost everyone has joined in on the lyrics.
The whole group is smiling when the song comes to an end. Sulley looks at Beau. “I didn’t expect that coming fromyou.” She glances around with amusement. “Allof you. What other girly songs do guys secretly like?”
Champ answers, “‘Shake It Off’. Taylor Swift is my queen. I went to ten shows on her Eras Tour.”
Layla nods. “Oh yes. Her show in Miami was amazing.” She smirks at her husband. “Presley loves ‘Wannabe’. He belted out a Spice Girls medley to me on our first date. I think it’s half the reason I fell for him.”
Presley nods. “Most underrated band ever. I’m still praying for a reunion tour.”
Daylen bats his eyelashes. “I’m a Beyoncé kind of man.” He stands and starts singing and dancing to “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé. He struts across the whole deck as he performs the choreography perfectly, as I’ve seen him do many times before, though usually when drunk. The man does have shockingly good rhythm, especially for a guy his size.
Everyone watches on with amusement. Kennedy stands and dances behind him, happily mimicking the moves in perfect unison. Before I know it, all the girls get up and join him in the choreography. Champ does too.
When it’s over, Layla smiles at me. “What areyoursecret favorite girly songs, Vance? I have a feeling there’s a man in touch with his feminine side under those jeans and cowboy boots.”
I can’t help the smirk that finds my face. Daylen coughs, “Anything Miley Cyrus.”
Sulley lets out a loud laugh. “Vance particularly likes ‘Wrecking Ball’ and ‘Party in the USA’ by Miley.” Her eyes flash with amusement. “He used to make my brother listen to all her songs when they were building a cabin together.”
I’m a little afraid it’s going to bring up difficult memories for her, but she’s grinning from ear to ear.
My eyes find hers. “Well, you watched the damnHannah Montanamovie every day that summer. It was burned into my brain.”
She giggles. “You used to sing ‘The Climb’ every time you drove into the mountains. Right when you passed the sign for the Beartooth Mountains.”
I wink as I sing out the first line of the chorus, “There’s always gonna be another mountain. I’m always gonna want to make it move…”
I pause briefly, and the whole crew joins in on the rest of the chorus, followed by a sea of laughter.
We end up having a nice evening. I’m so happy Sulley and I finally connected on some level, albeit a silly one.
