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He pulls on the bill of his Storm cap, considering my request. “All right. But you have five minutes.”

I throw him a thumbs-up and jog back to my truck, firing up the engine. The gate rolls open, and I drive right up outside the players’ door.

Pulling off my wet hoodie, I set the heated seats on full and pull her gift from the back. Kendra wanted to save opening it until she got back home, but what can I say? I’m an impatient motherfucker.

Jon

Your mom wants to know what time you’ll be here.

Me

Maybe, like, an hour. Maybe less. I need to give Kendra my gift first, and then we’ll head over to your place.

Gift?

Fuck.

Yeah, I didn’t need to know that, Jack.

My face is torn between cringe and amusement.

Me

No, not that. Well, maybe that later. Definitely that later. It’s her birthday.

Annnnnd I forgot to tell them.

Jon

Ahhh. Cool, cool. So, you thought you’d just skip over the part where you tell us she needs a gift. You know, the woman you’re dating and we’re meeting for the first time.

I begin apologizing, but another text comes through.

Mum

IT’S HER BIRTHDAY?!!

Me

Don’t kill me.

*Jon has been added to the chat*

Jon

Angel, I’m at the door, putting my sneakers on right now. You keep the oven on warm for the beef. I’m running to Kings Plaza a couple blocks away.

Jack, I have zero words right now. Other than I’m updating your contact to Knucklehead.

It must be another twenty minutes when Kendra’s teammates begin filing out.

Jon

What’s her favorite color?

Me

She thinks it’s blue, but it’s actually, like, a sage green. More olive actually. That’s what she wears on her nails.