It sounded like Caryn was plugged-in and on top of everything. I was happy Halle would be back to work on Monday.
Then Scarlet chuckled.
“What?” I asked self-consciously.
“Did you know that there’s an express line for TSA?”
I hated airport security. They had groped me one too many times. I’m sure Scarlet could tell from the face I made.
“Caryn didn’t, either. If my parents didn’t travel to Alabama away games, I wouldn’t have known. It costs like $85, and you don’t have to get in line with everyone else. The even better part is the pass is good for five years. When you go through security, you don’t have to take off your shoes or do any other dumb stuff. I think the most we waited was five minutes,” Scarlet explained.
“Who do I have to kill for that?”
“Caryn filled out applications online and paid for you, your parents, and Brook. All you have to do is go see them in person when you get to St. Louis. It’s like a ten-minute meeting, and they fingerprint you.”
“You keep being useful, and we might have to promote you,” I teased.
“Does that come with a raise, corner office, and car?” Scarlet asked, acting excited.
“I’m pretty sure it’s a title, and you’re put on salary. That means we can work you sixty hours a week and you won’t get any overtime. I bet all your friends will be envious when you’re a vice president of something.”
“At least I get a car,” Peggy teased, and then looked at me more seriously. “Speaking of which, I’ll need something bigger than the Jeep if I ever have to pick up all the little ones, once Ashley gets here with her two.”
“We will probably need to hire you help,” I admitted.
I could barely keep up with Coby and Little David. Add in Dawson, Allen, and Carol, and I couldn’t make Peggy do it alone.
“Your mom has already talked to Caryn about it. I think her week with them out of daycare was more than enough for her,” Peggy said.
I still don’t know how she handled Greg’s three and mine. His oldest two were almost three and got into everything. Nate wasn’t far behind them because he wanted to do everything his older siblings did.
Paul came in the back door, and I remembered that I hadn’t eaten yet and we had to go.
“We have to drive through today,” I told him.
He was a guy, so he was okay with that. He grabbed my suitcase, and I followed him out to the car. I had to go back when I realized I still had Coby in my arms and let Duke in while I was at it. I forget, is it your mind or knees that go first?
◊◊◊
The school was abuzz with excitement when Brook and I arrived. The cheerleaders had decorated each player’s locker with their name, number, and our bulldog logo. They’d also hung banners that predicted a win over the Broadview Academy
For us, this was the start of a tough stretch of games. All would be the best of the best. It was my opinion that Broadview might be the hardest one for us to win. After them, the state playoffs began. This year, there was no drama around whether we were in.
I was glad when our teachers all seemed to realize that our minds weren’t on school today and took it easy on us. We went to lunch, and the guys all seemed in high spirits. I should have known it was all going too well.
“David?” Tracy asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you getting a suite and throwing an orgy this year?” she asked innocently.
All conversation at the table suddenly came to a halt. I scowled at Tracy.
“Didn’t you graduate already?”
“I just wondered where and when we should all show up.”
I turned to Brook, who had a neutral expression on her face.
“In my youth, I was a bit … adventurous,” I explained.
“We miss
I gave her my half-hooded-eyes look. To this day, I was shocked that Pam, the shy one, had climbed on me while I was occupied giving Tracy oral pleasure. Not that I complained at the time. I could honestly say I had no regrets, as far as Pam was concerned.
That included us having Coby. The timing wasn’t ideal for his arrival into our world, but I wouldn’t give him up for anything. As a bonus, it meant his mom Pam would also be a part of my life.
“I call David as my roommate!” Wolf shouted, putting a quick end to that train of thought.
That made the whole lunchroom look our way. He glanced around and ducked his head.
“I’m just saying that if you don’t already have one,” he mumbled.
“Your girlfriend is a model,” I pondered.
Wolf dated Sarah, who was, in fact, a model, as well as Tami’s schoolmate. A little smile touched my eyes as I remembered past times with Sarah—before she dated Wolf—and how much fun she was. We’d spent an especially good day when she helped me after my breakup with Harper.
“Mine is your best friend,” Tim pitched his relationship with Tami.
“Blood is thicker than water,” Phil said, to make his entry in the sweepstakes to room with me.
“Would I be having sex with just you, or would there be other guys?” Jill asked.
“I’d be willing to be a part of this,” Yuri said as he looked at Jill.
