Page 76 of Home Town Advantage
I can’t help but grin at the memory. It feels nice to think about the good times. The past six years have been marred by the bad, but there really were so many good times with Vance throughout my life.
I add, “There was another summer when I was obsessed with the movieTeen Wolf. Finn and Vance had me convinced they were really werewolves, and I shouldn’t do anything to piss them off.”
Vance bites back his smile. “Right. You loved that movie, though not nearly as much as,” at the same time, we both shout, “Sixteen Candles,”and then both break into a fit of laughter.
We’re in our own world for a few seconds until I realize that everyone is staring at us open-mouthed. We are really fucking bad at this top-secret relationship thing.
I straighten up and look at Palmer. “Come on, every girl lovesSixteen Candles. It’s an unwritten law.”
I think she catches on to my deflection and nods in agreement. “Totally. I loved that movie, though I used to watchVarsity Bluesover and over with my friends.”
We then get into a whole discussion of football movies, with the guys all loving the movieFriday Night Lights, while all thegirls unanimously prefer theFriday Night Lightstelevision show to the movie as it was more about the love stories than the movie was.
After dessert, we move to sit in my living room while the caterer cleans the dining room. Daylen is showing everyone the new headshots he had taken. Kennedy and I share a bemused look, and Daylen notices. “You guys don’t like my photos?”
Kennedy sighs. “It’s one of my red flags.”
“What is?” he asks.
“Men who have headshots taken without the need to do so.”
He purses his lips. “I need them.”
She raises an eyebrow. “For what?”
“My website.”
“Why do you have a website? You’re such a tool. I bet you drive a Subaru too.”
He scowls at her. “What do you have against Subarus?”
Shay interrupts, “It’s a lesbian car. No man should drive one.”
Kennedy nods her head in agreement.
He twists his lips as he admits, “I had a Subaru in high school.”
Everyone breaks out into hysterical laughter while Daylen starts fiddling with his phone. After a minute or two, he breathes, “Holy shit, itisknown as a lesbian car.”
The laughter only gets louder.
Palmer looks at me. “Do you mind if I take a few leftovers? Just a container or two?”
I nod my head. “Please do. There’s enough food for at least a week.”
She nervously tucks her hair behind her ear. “It’s not for me. There’s a homeless guy who lives on the sidewalk in front of my building. I feel bad for him. I was going to give it to him.”
I smile. She’s so sweet. “Of course. Take it all and give it to him.”
Beau turns to Palmer. “Are you sure it’s safe?”
She nods. “I was a little scared at first, but he’s a nice guy. Despite his circumstances, he always looks happy and has something nice to say.”
Beau doesn’t look pleased. “Perhaps I should teach you ladies a little self-defense, just in case it’s ever needed.”
Kennedy lifts an eyebrow. “I’m known for being the biggest bruiser in my league. I’m not worried about the scrappy men of Philadelphia.”
Daylen stands and walks over to her, wrapping his tree trunk arms around her. She scrambles. “Don’t touch me, freak.”
