Page 11

I can’t stop smiling. My face literally hurts from it.

Mom and dad have been here for several days, though they are leaving tomorrow morning.

I love them, not because I’m supposed to but because they are genuinely great people and amazing parents.

I’ve always known I was lucky to have them in my corner.

Yet, to see them with Lyndell and Tyrone…

I’m considering nominating them for sainthood.

I’ve been looking for an online form to submit on their behalf.

The difference in Ty and Lyn is astounding and saddening at the same time.

The two of them are starved for parental approval and affection, desperate to be loved and cherished for who they are, not what they can provide for someone else.

They have never felt enough on their own.

Tyrone is a strong, capable, intelligent man.

And the way he looks at my mom with hearts in his eyes makes me swell with pride.

I can give him something he needs but would never ask for.

Family.

“That. Was. EPIC!” my grown-ass father cheers as he and mom meet me in the main concourse of the stadium near one of the entrances. We agreed to meet here after the game, and Ty and Lyn will be joining us as soon as they’re done.

My poor father. He loves sports. Any kind, he’ll watch it.

I’ve heard him yell, and cry, and cheer for a bull-riding championship, the same as he did for bowling.

Man is a rabid fan of any competition, but especially college.

Pro sports are great, but he says there’s nothing like watching college kids playing for the love of the game.

Of course, many dream of playing professionally, but at this stage in their life, they’re all heart.

What is about to give him a coronary, though, is that Ty was able to secure 50 yard-line seats for them, plus a tour of the athletic complex and sitting in on practice early this morning.

He’s been having significant trouble controlling the volume of his voice, his excitement too much for him to bear at times.

My mom has sighed at him so many times, I’m surprised she has oxygen left in her lungs, but it’s all with an indulgent smile.

Thankfully, we won today’s game. So, everyone is in high spirits as they exit the stadium and find restaurants, homes, and parking lots to continue the party.

We’ll be heading to the restaurant in the hotel my parents are staying in and then hitting the pool for some leisurely fun their last night here.

Mom bought Lyndell a floatie after strong-arming the hotel manager into allowing it.

Man never stood a chance against Mama Mary Shingleton.

“Had a good time?” I tease as my dad lifts me up on my toes in a bear hug.

“That’s an understatement,” Mom replies drily.

“Oh, I know. I could hear him throughout the game.”

“The bullhorn didn’t help.” Mom complains, leaning in. “I don’t know where he was keeping it, I didn’t even know he had it.”

“MAMA MARY!” Lyndell’s booming voice carries through the facility and brings an immediate smile to my face and mom’s.

“PAPA PENNIS!” Lyndell is very strong. He works out with Ty often.

I’m still surprised when he wraps his long arms around both of my parents and lifts them several inches off the ground.

“Excuse you!” I jut out my hip, planting my fist on it.

“Where’s my hug?” Lyn grins, a mischievous glint in his dark eyes.

I have half a second head start before he picks me up and bounces me in his arms several times.

I’m laughing so hard I miss the first part of what the person passing by says.

I immediately feel the shift in mood, however.

“—fuckin’ retard ruined his life! Could be going pro by now if it wasn’t for Donald Downie!” The two college-aged guys start laughing. I open my mouth to set them straight, but Mama Mary beats me to it.

“Only ‘ retard’ I see is you!” Oh, hell. Mom marches right up to them and gets in their face. My dad, used to her antics, puts his hand on Lyndell’s shoulder to comfort him. He tries to shrink in on himself, eyes downcast, shoulders slumping.

“What the fuck, woman!”

“ Donald Downie . Are you serious right now? He doesn’t even have Down Syndrome.”

“Ok?” Douche number one is as confused as his friend.

“Are you Tyrone Wicawiil?”

Since they are both about 5 ⒈／⒉ feet tall and super white, I think it’s obvious they are not my boyfriend. But it still takes them an inordinately long time to answer her.

“No?” They don’t sound so sure. Dad and I chuckle, Lyn stares on with wide eyes, his breathing shallow. How often does this happen?

“Whether Tyrone plays football, pro or not. Whether his future could have been different. Whether he decimates a toilet after consuming two orders of sweet and sour chicken. None of that is your concern. He doesn’t comment on your dismal prospects and the sad trajectory of your life. He’s too busy living his own.”

“And it’s a great fucking life,” Ty cuts in, surprising us all. He grins down at me, his arms sliding over my back and around my waist as he tugs me into his side. He kisses me, short and sweet, before addressing the two dickheads in front of us. “And it’s none of your business.”

“You should be playing—”

“And you should have been swallowed,” Mom cuts in. The two guys are not happy, their faces growing increasingly redder as the showdown continues.

“Whatever. You’re a bitch and he’s a fucking furry.” They turn and walk away. Mom takes a step to follow, her mouth opening to blast them once again, but Ty releases me and drags mom into a hug.

“Not fucking worth it, Mama Mary.” He squeezes her tight. “But thank you for defending us.”

“They insulted my boys! I will have their heads!” I glance back at Lyn when he snorts, my heart calming as I watch him relax slightly.

“Ty, how often does this kind of thing happen?” Dad must have picked up on it too. Lyn’s reaction was conditioned.

Ty shrugs, then throws an arm over my shoulders, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. He’s freshly showered and smells damn good. “Often enough. It’s their problem, not mine. Life is good.” Ty looks down at me and gives me a toothy grin. “Life is very good.”

I close my eyes and savor the softness of his lips on mine, then my dad clears his throat obnoxiously and I open them to glare at him.

He glares right back. I clap my hands to get us moving.

“Alright, let’s go. I want copious amounts of food, including dessert, then I want to laze about in the pool and watch my boyfriend’s muscles flex as he swims around me. ”

“Edee,” Lyn sucks in a sharp breath and for a moment I worry I’ve said something wrong. “You have to wait an hour after eating before you can get in the pool.”

I stand in front of Lyn and reach up to cup his cheeks. “I like to play fast and loose with the rules.” He smiles down at me, placing his large palms over my hands.

“Don’t poop in the pool. A kid did that one time when Ty took me to a pool, and we all had to get out for them to clean it up. I don’t want to miss out on swimming because you played fast and loose with your poop.”

Dropping my chin, the laughter starts in my toes and works its way up and out. We’re all laughing hysterically as we walk out of the stadium. I try to glare at my mom, but I can’t stop laughing. “I blame you. What did you do to my sweet, sweet Lyn?”