How It Rolls (17 page)

             
“Farrah’s coming tonight.  You’re gonna be there right?”

             
“Pshh, no, I’m going to a kegger.” 
Wait, did people still call beer parties ‘keggers’ or was that another 80’s quirk?

             
She shrugged her shoulders, damn I loved it when she played along. “Ok, that’s fine.  Have fun.  And just so you know, these,” She held up a pair of black shorts that barely qualified as clothing, “are what I was planning to wear tonight.  Guess you’ll miss it.”

             
She threw them back in her bag and started towards the door to leave.  She opened it a sliver and I quickly closed it, already behind her. 

             
“See what I mean?” She was pinned between me and the door and after showing me those shorts, it was not a good place to be.

             
“What? It’s what derby girls wear.  You bought them for me.”

             
“But when I bought them, the image in my mind was of you and the shorts but trust me, there were no skates, and not much else.  So you see? We both get jealous.  Everyone gets to see my girl in those.”

             
She gasped and squirmed, probably trying to hit me.  I continued, “I’ll be there tonight.  Remember to keep your head in the game and not on me.”

             
“You’re so damned smug.  What makes you think you even cross my mind when I’m skating? Huh?”

             
“Because when you get on that track, you’re gonna remember me kissing the crap out of you.” She leaned her head forward and knocked her forehead on the door.

             
“Now I am.  You suck.” She laughed as I backed off and let her leave and damn if I didn’t love to watch her go. 

             
I met Owen for breakfast.  I just sat there as an audience the whole time.  He ordered two of everything and then went on a tirade about not knowing if he was going to be a good father.  And not knowing if he was ready to share Nellie.  Then he started on their apartment being too small for a family and not knowing how to change diapers. 

             
“Owen, it’s gonna be fine.  I’m sure there’s gonna be a learning curve for Nellie too.  Mom and Dad will be right there to help y’all.  It’s not like you’ll be alone. “

             
His shoulders slumped forward as he exhaled.  “You’re right Falcon.  It’s just a lot to handle.”

             
“I’m sure it is.  Your whole life is changing.  But it will be worth it.”

             
He started eating again, a good sign.  I polished off my eggs and could tell by the way he kept looking at me that there was something else on his mind. 

             
“Spill it.” I said and crossed my arms over my chest.

             
“I wanna ask you something but I don’t want you to get pissed.”

             
I knew this was headed for a conversation about Reed.  Maddox had been giving me crap every time we went to work on it.  Nixon had even chimed in.  He and Maddox were tight, always had been.  I also expected a lecture from Dad, but he was busy planning their vow renewal thing. 

             
“Just say it, everybody else has.”  I readjusted my arms.

             
“Look, I’m just worried, ok?  You’ve only been with her a few weeks and you went out and spent who knows how much money and bought her a house.  A house!  I mean, I know you like her but what in the Hell possessed you to buy a house?”

             
I blew out a breath through barely opened lips, trumpet player’s mouth.  I thanked God that Maddox could be trusted with a secret.  He and Mom were the mafia of secret keepers.  But I guess I needed to tell him to throw him off my trail.  And he was no stranger to the lengths one went when they’ve fallen in love.  No one knew it, but Nellie called me the night Owen rearranged Lucas’ face and I went to the hospital to make sure he was ok for her.  That’s when Nellie and I became friends.  She knew she could trust me.

             
“There’re things you don’t know Owen.  There’s a reason.”

             
“Well tell me please.  ‘Cause right now I think you’re stupid. I mean, I know you have money in the bank from all that stock crap you do but why blow it on a girl?”

             
“She’s not just a girl.  She’s the girl.  And even if she never looked my way again I would buy her that house.  It’s better than the alternative.”

             
“What’s the alternative?” I rolled my eyes and looked out to the parking lot.

             
“She’s homeless Owen.  I went out to buy her an apartment or a townhouse or something.  But then I saw that house and it was perfect for her.  If I never see her again in my life, I will at least know that she has a place to sleep that she loves.  At least, I hope she loves it.”

             
His face had paled after I said she was homeless. It was hard to swallow. 

             
“I’m sorry, man.  I didn’t know.  I was just trying to protect you.  Save you from doing something stupid.  Shit, I’m an idiot.”

             
The waitress came and interrupted his spiel.  I paid the ticket and he tipped her.  We got out of the booth and I could tell it was gnawing at him. 

             
“Don’t worry about it, man.  I didn’t even know.  Maddox found out.  But I just couldn’t let it continue.”

             
“Do you love her Falcon?” He said as we walked out to our cars, parked side by side. 

             
“What do you think?”   It was a smart ass response but I couldn’t help it.

             
“I think you’re in so deep, you’re drowning.”

             
I got into my car without answering.  He already knew the answer.  And besides, her house was finished, it was done.  She would be getting her fake letter this week and I just hoped she bought it.  The dastardly devil of a lawyer I hired had decided to make it seem like the house and the check was part of an unclaimed settlement.  He made it all seem legit, so I agreed.  Now I just had to try not to shake when I handed it to her when it came in the mail. 

             
I also needed to convince her to let me help her with getting the electricity, gas and water turned on.  She had only received a couple paychecks, so I didn’t know if she had enough saved up or not. 

             
I went into the restaurant to finish the paperwork that I left on the desk the day before.  Although how I was going to concentrate after what happened in that office, I hadn’t a clue.  I got in and Mom was looking for something on the computer in her office.

             
“You need help, Mom?” She waved me off and I proceeded to my office to get my work done.  After a few hours and checks written, I grabbed some to go boxes and brought them to the bookstore.  Nellie wasn’t in her office, so I hunted her and Reed down.  They were both in the inventory room having some kind of whispery conversation. I cleared my throat to stop them, even though I would love to know what Reed was all secretive about. 

             
“Hawkeye, if you bring that food any closer I’m gonna hurl on your girl.  Hey that rhymed.”

             
“Ok, Reed, are you hungry?”

             
“Yeah, but this one’s gonna puke again.  Can you go to the break room with that?”

             
“Yeah.” 

             
I went to the break room and put Nellie’s box in the fridge in case she wanted it later.  I ran across the street to the little grocery store and got some crackers and a ginger ale.  I ran back and went back to where they were.  Nellie looked worse than before and she was trying to hide the fact that she was holding on to the bookshelf beside her, but I could see it. 

             
“Come on Mama,” I handed the bag to Reed and picked Nellie up and carried her to the couch in her office.  She groaned as I put her down and nodded to me, permission to call Owen. 

             
I picked up her office phone and he answered on the first ring.

             
“How are you sweetheart?” He cooed.

             
“I’m fine honey bunches but your girl is not.  She needs some rest.  You wanna come get her or you want me to bring her to the apartment?”

             
Nellie started barking from the couch, “Make up your minds ‘cause I have a bout to coach in six hours.”

             
“Did you hear her,” I asked Owen.

             
“Yeah, take her up, please.  I’ll be there in a minute.  I’ll stop and get her some crackers or something.”

             
“I already got them.  Get here when you can.  I’ll stay until then.”

             
I hung up before I could hear his answer.  I went to the couch and tried to joke around to distract her. 

             
“Come on She-Ra, bed for you—gotta regenerate those super powers.”

             
“Oh, does that make you He-Man?” She gripped the front of my shirt as I carried her up the stairs.  Reed was behind us with the bag of stuff. 

             
“Yes, I’m He-Man, cause I’m the twin brother.  Owen’s Bow, ‘cause that’s She-Ra’s man.  Though his man status is questionable with that ‘stache and the big ass heart on the front of his shirt.” I opened the door to their apartment and I could tell she was churning old She-Ra and He-Man episodes through her head. 

             
“Well, who does that make Reed?” I lowered her to her couch and grabbed a blanket while Reed poured her a glass of ginger ale. 

             
“Duh, that makes me Teela, He-Man’s orange haired and smokin’ hot girlfriend.  Come on Nellie.”

             
“Oh my God, Falcon, she gets us.  She really gets us.” She dramatically wiped a nonexistent tear from her eye. 

             
I laughed at her and went to sit in one of their weird garage sale chairs.  Reed sat her glass of ginger ale on the coffee table and I flipped channels on the TV until we heard Owen coming in. 

             
He ordered us out immediately, which was fine with me.  Reed and I went down to the break room and devoured Andre’s lasagna.  She belly ached about not being able to skate after such a big meal. 

             
“I need to warn you about something.” She said sitting back in the chair.

             
“Shoot.” I got up and put everything in the trash.

             
“Tonight’s gonna be rough.  That team we’re playing has a rep for sending people to the hospital.  I don’t want you to freak out.”

             
“Really Reed?  When’s the last time you saw me freak out?”

             
She rolled her eyes at me and then answered, “Um, the last bout you left because the zebra was getting friendly.  I can’t imagine how you’ll act if I actually get hurt.”

             
“You saw that, huh? Easy, just don’t get hurt.  We should be fine.” 

             
“That easy, huh?” She laughed and gave me a way too short kiss before going back to work.  I finished out the bookstore’s business and went back to the apartment before heading to the bout.  And as I neared the spot, I knew she was dead on.  I felt sorry for whoever got in between me and her if she was hurt. 

             
I parked and got out and some girl was looking at me as I opened the door.  I opened it wide and motioned for her to go in, she smiled a tight smile and reluctantly walked inside.  I spotted Owen and my parents and went to stand by them.  Owen said Nellie was fine now.  And even if she wasn’t, she had lied to him to make sure she was here.  The first half of the bout was just a blood bath.  Reed wasn’t joking when she said they were hard core.  One girl had gotten thrown out after five minutes for punching a girl in the face, on her own team. 

             
I watched Reed and Nellie bantering about some play which ended in Reed sticking her tongue out at Nellie and skating away. And the shorts? They didn’t disappoint. 

             
Damn, I need to buy her a hundred more pairs of those shorts.  Hell, I need to buy stock in the company.
 

             
Then, someone looped their arm through mine and I turned to see who it was.  It was the girl who stared at me before.  I unlocked our arms and said, “Hi, do I know you?”

             
“No, but you need to get to know me,” she said.  I looked around to see if Maddox was looking guilty.  This was the kind of weird thing he would set up.  But he was off talking up a blonde girl.

             
“And why would that be?”  I kept my eyes on Reed, who now had her eyes on me while she listened for the second whistle signaling the jammers.