Page 92 of Stealing for Keeps
It’s afternoon by the time I wake up on Saturday. We got back super late last night after our road trip games. We won both, and the entire drive back, the team was on a high.
In the kitchen, Torrance looks like she just woke up as well. She sends me a glare over her cereal bowl.
“Where is everyone?” I ask.
“Dad got in late last night. He and Mom are at Wyatt’s game.”
“Right.” I spot the note on the counter.
A + T,
At W’s game. Clean your rooms and bring your dirty clothes to the laundry room. And don’t make plans tonight. I’m making calzones.
Mom
My stomach grumbles. We haven’t had Mom’s calzonesin forever. I open the pantry and grab the Lucky Charms, then shake the box. It’s nearly empty.
“Sorry,” Torrance says, mouth full of my cereal.
I’m annoyed but too tired to fight with her. I grab a banana instead and head out to the backyard. I pull my phone out of my shorts pocket as I take the first bite of fruit. At the far end of the yard, I toe a soccer ball. The cool air nips at my bare chest. I don’t know if I’m ready for winter in the north yet. This time of year in Arizona, I’d still be wearing shorts every day and swimming any chance I got.
Claire picks up on the second ring.
“Hey.” Her face fills the screen, and my heart lurches in my chest. “Just wake up?”
I get a glimpse of myself and run a hand over my messy hair. “Yeah.”
Her laughter puts me at ease. Fuck I missed her. “How are you? What are you doing? What have you been up to?”
She continues to laugh as I toss out more questions. We texted a little while I was gone, but I don’t feel like I’ve really talked to her in days.
“Things are good. I’m at Ruby’s dance competition.”
“I guess that means you can’t hang out today. I was hoping you were free.” I kick the ball up and catch it on the top of my foot.
“I wish I could,” she says, and I can hear voices and music in the background. “I’ll be back tonight. Probably around seven.”
“I’ve got dinner with my family. You could come though.”
“Haven’t I crashed enough of your family dinners?”
“No.”
“What about tomorrow?” she asks.
“Yeah, I’m free.”
“Let’s hang out tomorrow then. I’m sure your family missed you.”
I know she’s right, but… “Not as much as I missed you.”
She laughs again, eyes sparkling and smile turning a little shy. Then she glances over her shoulder like someone called for her. Looking back at me, she says, “I gotta go. See you tomorrow.”
* * *
Family dinner starts out nice. It’s been a while since just the five of us sat down to eat together. Wyatt is tired from his games today and falls asleep within minutes. Mom carries him off to bed, and then Dad gets a phone call.
“No phones at the dinner table,” Mom admonishes him.
