Lib Novel Page 122
Even though it’s just these two talking to me, I can feel several people waiting for my answer.
I nod my head.
“I knew it!” The kid sits back, triumphant.
It’s the dad’s turn to lean forward. “Do you think it’d be okay if we took a picture with him?”
“Uh.” I look around, taking in all the stares. “I don’t think he’d mind. But… maybe after the game?”
The dad nods. “Totally, that’d be cool.”
His son elbows him. “We should’ve worn our Biters jerseys.”
The dad sits back. “Well, you should’ve told me your classmate’s dad was Maddox Lovelace.”
“I didn’t know!”
Oh boy. That’s not a rumor I need going around Chelsea’s school.
“Um.” I cut into their conversation. “Maddox isn’t her dad. He’s, uh, my boyfriend.”
EIGHTY
MADDOX
At the top of the stairs, Chelsea pauses. “Which way?”
I stop behind her. “Not sure.”
“Well, look.” She gestures around. “You can see over everyone, right?”
“Fair point.” I set my hand on the top of her head so I don’t lose her and step us out into the center of the main walkway.
I look one way, then the other. “It might be—” I cut myself off. “Never mind, I see it.”
“Told ya,” Chelsea singsongs.
Keeping her in front of me, we make our way down to the donut stand.
The line is long, snaking along the wall, so we step up and take our place at the end.
“You been keeping yourself busy?” I ask Chelsea. “Learn any new ways to cheat at poker?”
She slowly turns around to look up at me. “You and I both know I didn’t have to cheat.”
“Says you.”
She lifts a brow. “I’m happy for a rematch. But maybe you want to practice more first.”
“Hmm. Maybe I should get some cheats— I mean lessons— from whoever taught you.”
“You couldn’t afford them.”
Chelsea’s comeback makes me snort. “That so? Who was it, a pro?”
“Nah, just some old lady who used to live next door. I didn’t get really good until I started playing online. But after I won five hundred bucks one time, Aunt Hannah flipped out and told me I couldn’t play anymore.”
“Five hundred? Damn.”