“I thought it was a great plan,” I said, holding up my hands. “Think about two nights in hotels in Chicago.”
“I hear you invited Zoe to New York this weekend for a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day,” Brook said, catching me completely off guard.
“Uh, she can’t go,” I mumbled.
“So, who are you taking?”
“You?”
“What about Halle?” Brook asked.
“Both of you?”
“You really are a ‘stupid boy.’”
Ian stuck his head in the room.
“What kind of music do they play?” he asked.
I directed him to their website, and he returned to talking on the phone.
“It’s a little short notice, don’t you think? I understand that you’ll be hanging out with models. What’ll we wear?” she teased me.
My brain locked, and I just blinked at her. Then I realized she was giving me shit. Brook Davis and Halle James had closets full of clothes.
“We can’t go anyway,” she said, letting me off the hook.
“Why not?” I asked.
“We have parents who talk, too. Did you really get caught in the act at Halle’s house?”
“Jeeezus!”
“Don’t worry. My mom told them about finding you in your underwear, covered in mud and water. You really are a bad influence on me.”
I’d practiced ‘the look,’ and I must have done it right because Brook’s eyes got big. Paybacks were hell. Her dad saved her.
“Give them a call. The campaign manager loved the idea of a band.”
“How many events are we doing?” I asked.
“Oh, sorry. Friday night we’re at Northern. Saturday we’ll be at the University of Chicago, Loyola, and DePaul. On Sunday, the event is at Northwestern.”
I caught the ‘we’; so did Brook. It sounded like her dad would be going with us.
I called Kendal and got Angel’s number. Angel had questions about promotion and posters, so I gave her Ian’s digits. They could work out the details.
When we were done, Ava, Brook’s mom, appeared.
“Shouldn’t you be getting home? It is a school night.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I was a good boy and returned home.
◊◊◊
I found Pam and Peggy in the kitchen, drinking hot chocolate. Little David and Duke were nowhere to be found.
“Where are the babies?” I asked.
“I swear he thinks his dog is a child,” Peggy complained.
Pam seemed to agree with her statement.
“So, are you going to ask me?” Pam asked.
“I take it you know what I asked Zoe.”
“And that both Halle and Brook turned you down. I was just wondering where I rate?” she pouted.
I thought asking Zoe had been a good thing. Now it was starting to feel like a mistake. Pam caught my look of irritation, got up, and hugged me.
“You know, I really would like to go. I could use some alone-time with you.”
I left my arms loose around her waist and looked her in the eyes.
“That’s a great idea. I would love to take you with me. Is it okay with your mom?” I asked.
“She said you couldn’t get me any more pregnant.”
Peggy broke out laughing. Pam’s mom did have a point. I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Caryn to add Pam to my trip. I sent another one to Adrienne to let her know I was going to be a plus-one.
The back door opened and Duke bounded in, followed by Mom and Dad with Little David. I loved-up Duke, and then he went to Pam and Peggy for more loving. Mom handed me Little David. I helped him out of his coat.
“Where did you go?” I asked.
“To Greg’s. He and Angie needed some mommy and daddy alone-time, so we volunteered to have dinner with all our grandkids,” Dad said.
I noticed Dad included Little David in his comment. Peggy and her son really were becoming a part of the family. I personally enjoyed spending time with Little David. I marveled at all the changes he was going through. Each day he became more of a little person.
“He needs a bath,” Peggy said, holding out her hands.
I gave him up, then caught Mom and Dad up on today’s events.
“When do the flowers come?” Mom asked.
“What flowers?” Pam asked.
“Give me your phone for a second,” I said.
She looked at me funny but handed it over. Dad just shook his head when he saw me put it in my pocket.
“Hey, give that back,” Pam complained.
“I’ll give it to you tomorrow. I don’t need you spoiling my surprise,” I said.
“What surprise?”
“David is giving out flowers to every girl at Lincoln High for Valentine’s Day,” Mom said.
“I won’t tell,” Pam said, holding out her hand.
“Yeah, right. You’ll tell Tracy and then she’ll tell the world.”
“Okay, keep my phone, but I won’t tell.”
I handed her back her phone, which made her happy. Pam had to go home, and I had homework to do, so I told her I’d see her tomorrow.
◊◊◊
Chapter 7 – Good Intentions Thursday February 11
I was ordered to be at school early. Caryn, Megan, and Kendal met me in the front entryway. There was a long table set up there with an enormous banner of me as Stryker; it said, ‘Be My Valentine.’ There was also a cameraman. Frank had hired him to capture everything with both photos and video. Frank had notified his favorite press outlets that he would give them raw footage of me as I gave out flowers.
