Part 6 (2/2)
”Amesapisa!” Karrie shouted, rolling over on her tummy so she could scoot off the couch and waddle over to James.
”Hey, big girl,” James said affectionately, pulling Karrie in for a hug.
”You didn't have to bring us pizza,” I said as I shut the door.
”Can't eat the whole thing by myself,” James replied by way of explanation. She took Karrie by the hand and they brought the pizza into the kitchen. I followed behind and found James getting the paper plates down, with Karrie waiting patiently by her side.
Karrie loved pizza, almost as much as she loved James.
”Thanks,” I said as I picked up Karrie and put her in her highchair. I sat down at the table and smiled at James when she put a slice in front of me.
”What's up with you and Judd?” James asked before I could take my first bite of pepperoni.
I paused, pizza halfway to my mouth. ”What do you mean?”
”Last time I saw you, you were getting ready for the big date,” James said around a mouthful of pizza. ”Was he an a.s.s?”
I laughed and took a bite, chewing as I thought back to my date with Judd.
”Surprisingly, no. We had a good time. I like him.”
James narrowed her eyes at me. ”He didn't try anything, did he?”
”No, we barely even kissed that night. It was a nice date.”
”What do you mean by that night?” James asked, picking up on my slip right away.
”Well, I went to his game todaya”
”He kissed you at his game?” James asked.
”Yeah, it just sort of happened. Why?” I asked as I took another bite.
”Well, you said he didn't try anything on your date. First of all, Judd doesn't date, he bags chicks. Second, he took you on a date and didn't try any graba.s.s. Third, he kissed you at the ball field,” James said, as if that explained everything.
”Anda”
”And,” James began, ”I've known Judd a long time, and I've never seen him act like the person you're describing. Especially at the field. He takes baseball seriously. He may pick up a chick and meet her after the game, but what you're talking about sounds romantic. Judd doesn't do romance.”
”Well, he's pretty good at it for someone who never does it,” I responded with a grin. ”He's swept me off my feet.”
”Oh, brother,” James said dryly.
”I know that you and Judd have a history,” I said. ”It doesn't bother you that I'm seeing him, does it?”
James glanced at me, then looked pointedly at Karrie.
”Does he know about the little nugget?”
”No, I haven't told him yet. I want to keep it simple for now, you know?”
”Yeah, I get it. And don't worry, he won't hear about it from me,” James added.
”Thanks.”
”I just have to say,” James said, looking a bit uncomfortable before continuing on, ”I'm not close to too many people, but you and Judd are both important to me. No, it doesn't bother me; I just want you to be careful. I'd hate for either of you to get hurt.”
”I don't plan on hurting anyone, James,” I said, trying to ease her mind.
She looked at me and Karrie, wiping her mouth with a napkin before saying, ”No one ever plans on hurting someone else, it just happens.”
I was flying high after our win.
I told the team I'd meet up with them later, but first I wanted to check on Tuck.
I'd been taking care of my dad for many years now, so I stopped by the store and picked up a few items for Tuck without even thinking about it.
I walked into the frat house where he lived, yelling out ”h.e.l.lo” to a couple of the guys playing video games in the living room.
”He alive?” I asked, pointing to the door in the back that led to Tuck's room.
”Barely, dude,” came the reply.
I knocked once and opened the door to the sound of moaning.
And not the good kind.
”s.h.i.+t, man, are you gonna make it?” I asked as I walked toward the pale and sweaty version of my friend on the bed.
”No,” Tuck moaned from under the pillow.
”You got food poisoning, huh?”
”f.u.c.kin' sus.h.i.+ place,” was all Tuck managed to spit out as he tried to lift himself into a sitting position.
”Don't get up, man. I brought you a few things that might help. I'll just put them over here,” I said, pointing to the dresser next to his bed. ”Then I'll head out.”
Tuck peeked through his half-open eyes as I pulled the stuff out of the bag: ginger ale, saltines, and some Pepto.
”You didn't have to bring all that,” Tuck said hoa.r.s.ely.
”It's no big deal,” I said with a shrug. ”We need your a.s.s well and ready for our next game.”
”s.h.i.+t,” Tuck said, perking up a bit. ”Did we win?”
”h.e.l.l yeah,” I replied with a grin. ”Did you ever doubt it?”
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