Page 10 of The Second Deal

Igive his arm a reassuring squeeze, smiling at the memory ofDreacompletely forgoing any attempt at pronouncing “aunty” and calling meAbby, instead. “I’llbe there.”

Momcomes to the rescue, settling in beside me and askingBrandyabout the upcoming photo shoot they have scheduled to update staff photos on theNYBwebsite.AdrianapproachesDadand challenges him to a round of horseshoes, andRobbieresponds by passive-aggressively tossing his shoes atAdrian’sfeet before plopping his heavy ass on my lap.

Iheave. “Fuck, dude, lay off the beer and tacos!”

“Saysthe woman who can’t say no to a waffle, apparently,” he replies the same time he pinches the evidence of myWaffleHouseobsession.

Iflick his nose whereIsaw blood. “Ugh!”

Heyelps, immediately covering his nose and hightailing it until he’s just out of arm’s reach. “Missedyou, too, shithead.”

Igrunt in response before tuning in to the horseshoes game.AfterAdrianmakes his first toss, he glances at me and his mouth twists into that lopsided smirkI’veknown sinceRobbieproudly introduced us to his new bestie after religious ed.

Breathremains stuck in my chest, expectingZakto appear.Ifreshen my drink, pounding back a chilly glassful in preparation untilIgive myself brain freeze.

Buthe never comes.

“C’mon, old man,”Adrianjabs. “Youstill got a few good years left.Aimlike you mean it!”

Dadbarks a laugh. “Boy,I’llwhoop your ass any day.”

Peakingover my shoulder, the patio is empty.

GuessZakhitched a ride withShannon.

SoIlet myself settle into the overstuffed chair with my now not-so-sadarita.

Thingsaren’t so bad.Noteven whenAdrian’sface lights up a little more brightly when my smile turns into a simper.

Buthim kissing my hair before heading out leaves my stomach in a lurch that worsens withBrandy’sglare thereafter.

Aftershe givesMoma hug and says goodnight, she spins around, ignoring my smile and readiness to hug her, too.

Robbieraises his brows. “Imighta gotten the beatdown tonight, but ouch.”

Ipress my arms into my side to reassure myself. “Willyou talk to her for me?She’spractically my sister-in-law—she can’t give me the cold shoulder forever.”

“What’sthat?Youwant me to helpbailyou out of something?”

Ifocus on the starry sky above.Iknew he’d mention something about it. “Maybeyou shouldn’t beat the shit outta your best friends in public, asshat.”

Brandypeeks around the corner of the house, practically sneering at me. “C’mon,Rob.I’mtired.”

Hethrows an arm around my shoulders and squeezes. “Safeto say we’re not best buds anymore.”Hismouth suddenly pinches into a tinyO. “Hey, just like you andBrandy.Lookat us being twins.”

Ismack his shoulder as he walks away. “Notfunny.”

WhenIfinally climb into bed, my eyes refuse to close.

Nightconsumes my room.Thehouse creaks, settling in the wind, and mesquite scratches against siding.Fansin my and my parents’ rooms blow on high and drown out cicadas.Inmy window, the occasional twinkle pokes through like phone lights in a crowd at a concert.

Itmakes me think of daysIshouldn’t be thinking of anymore because there’s no wayIcan get them back.

Givingup,Iget dressed and grab my phone.Tyresponded with a selfie with our usualFridaynight group squeezing in together for a group photo.Theylook like they’re having plenty of fun, butTy’smessage says something a little different.

Wishyou were here.OrIwas there

Imiss you already

---