by Keelan Storm
“That’s a relief,” Kyle said, picking up his water bottle from the bench behind Tucker. “‘Cause your moves are seriously sick, dude. With you and Hector on the team, we’ll kill at games.”
Tucker took one last swig of water before he dumped the remainder on his already sweat-drenched head, shaking it from his eyes before pulling on his shirt. His stomach grumbled, and he was suddenly very anxious to make it back home for the fajitas and sausages his dad would be throwing on the pit soon.
“Hey, if y’all are hungry, my Dad’s barbecuing this afternoon,” he said to the group.
“Sweet,” Kyle replied. “Your parents won’t mind if we come?”
He shook his head. “Nah, it’s for my birthday. There’ll be a bunch of people there. Plenty of food.”
“Bunch of people?” Noah asked.
“Mine, Jet’s, and the twins’ family. Emma’s coming, too.”
Hector's eyes lit up, “Sounds good to me. The free food, I mean.”
Several of them nodded, but Cory teased, “What, no Lisa?”
“Don’t even joke, man,” Tucker replied seriously. “We’d better head out, Jet. See you guys there,” he waved as he headed toward his truck.
“Family, dude? Really? They already have enough to give us crap about,” he commented once they were on their way home.
Jet shrugged. “Well, it’s the truth. Think about it. If you and Izzy get married and I eventually propose to Annie, we’ll be brothers-in-law one day, and your kid will be my niece or nephew. When do you find out anyway?”
Tucker hardly talked about the baby. Jet always had to ask if he wanted any information about it from him.
“We’re going to let it be a surprise.”
“Alright,” Jet nodded. That would be interesting. “You and Izzy talked about names yet?”
“Nope. Taking things as they come, man. If I think too hard about it, I’ll crack.”
“You can’t keep that up forever, dude. Y’all need to start making some concrete plans. The baby’s only four months away.”
Jet watched Tucker grip the back of his neck with one hand while he drove with the other. He felt for his friend, but the guy needed a push.
“Look, you’ve got to figure these things out. You’re freaking out about this.”
Tucker grimaced. “Is it that obvious?”
Jet looked pointedly at his friend’s hand on the back of his neck. “You do that every time something comes up about the baby, even if it’s barely related. I bet you didn’t even realize you were doing it out on the court today when Cory made that baby daddy comment.”
“No, I didn’t,” Tucker admitted.
“Have you and Izzy started making any plans?”
“We’re kind of at a stand-still. Neither of us wants the other to have to sacrifice, but we have no idea how to both go for what we want without enough cash flow, and I’m not asking my parents to help pay for something that’s my responsibility.”
“Sounds like y’all might have to compromise.”
“Yeah, I was afraid of that. But it kind of hit me earlier…”
Jet waited as Tucker paused. Sometimes it took just as long for him to think things through as it did Izzy. No big deal. As long as they answered.
“I guess I started thinking about how things would be if I couldn’t keep playing basketball, like if I tried to postpone the college thing so Izzy could go. There’s this dance academy she’s been obsessing over apparently, and she has all these plans if she and Leo get in together…
“So if college doesn’t happen for me right away, I thought I’d be really upset, you know? Like it would suck because I’d be giving up this huge piece of my life and my plans. But it hit me that it’s not that big of a deal. Basketball is a game. Izzy is so much more than that. But she’s stubborn about letting me give it up.”
“And you don’t want to make her give up that academy.”
“No.”
Jet stared at Tucker for a few moments, taking in the changes. Just a few months ago, his friend had been a different person, someone who was obsessed with the dating scene, parties, and pursuing sports. Now he was all about one woman, nothing else as important as her. “Where the hell did this mature fucker come from?”
“Wow…” he said in pretend disbelief. “I don’t know how it happened, but you’re more whipped than I am, dude. You’re like the king of whipped. Your face should be on a can of whipped cream.”
“That’s so lame, man,” Tucker replied.
Jet felt the hard sting of a flick in his upper arm then and reached over to smack his friend.
“Shit, stop it,” he said as Tucker flicked him again. “I’ll tell Izzy,” he threatened.
“And I’ll tell Annie,” Tucker retorted, the attacks stopping on both sides.
* * *
“So, are you excited about your appointment on Monday, Izzy?” Jenna asked while they peeled potatoes for the potato salad they were making.
“Yeah, I looked up some 3D ultrasounds online, and they’re pretty amazing. I can’t wait.”
“I wish we knew what you’re having, but a surprise is kind of fun. Do you have a preference?”
“I would love a little girl, but it doesn’t really matter, as long as it’s healthy.”
Jenna smiled. “A granddaughter would be nice. But I agree, as long as it’s healthy. We’ll love it either way.”
Isabel smiled, too. Jenna was really starting to seem excited about the baby. She just wished that Chuck and her mother could try to be understanding about it, too. At least, her mom had been great about Tucker’s gift.
“Thanks for talking to my mom about the consent form. It means a lot.”
“Oh, you’re welcome, sweetie. It makes perfect sense that you’d want to do this ultrasound together without any of us parents tagging along,” Jenna replied, giving the teen a hug around the shoulders. The woman was fairly tall, and Isabel wondered if her baby would inherit some of the Patterson family’s height.
“But I want to see pictures as soon as the appointment’s over, alright? I’ll be going crazy here waiting.”
Isabel laughed. “Of course. We’ll come straight home. We can even have my mom here and show all of you at once.”
“Great idea. Maybe you can even ask the ultrasound tech to slip in a boy or girl picture?” Jenna winked. “I promise we won’t tell you.”
She shook her head, grinning, not wanting to tell the older woman that they wouldn’t because she and Tucker knew his mom wouldn’t be able to resist buying something that would give it away.
They worked over the potatoes in the first bout of silence since they’d started prepping the late lunch. It was oddly uncomfortable for Isabel. She could sense there was something on Jenna’s mind that she wasn’t sharing, and it was several, long minutes before the tall, platinum blonde broke the quiet.
“Izzy?”
“Yeah?” she replied, pausing from the last of her chopping to look up.
Jenna opened her mouth to continue, but then stopped like she was trying to decide if she really wanted to say what was on her mind. “Never mind,” she decided.
“What is it?”
“Oh, it’s silly. Don’t worry about it.”
“Jenna…I know that look,” she replied, looking at the familiar crinkles across her boyfriend’s mother’s brow. “It’s not nothing. Please just tell me. You’re going to have me worrying about it all day if you don’t.”
Jenna gave her a weak smile. “Yes, I guess you would…which brings me to my question.”
She waited, chopping as she did.
“I don’t mean to pry into your relationship with my son, but I know something’s bothering him. Something other than just being scared about y’all’s situation, and he’s not talking to me.”
Isabel sighed. “Jenna, I don’t think it’s my place to tell you what’s bothering Tucker if he’s not willing to tell you about it
himself.”
“But you know what it is, then?”
“Yes.”
She sighed in resignation. “Well, at least he’s talking to someone about it…and you’re sure you won’t tell me?”
“I’m sure. Tucker will tell you if he wants you to know.”
“Ugh. That’s hard to hear.”
“It’s nothing against you,” she said to reassure her. “We’re just going through a lot. So much is different now.”
Jenna smiled and gave her another quick hug. “I know, sweetie. I know. Are you done with your potatoes? I’m ready to throw mine in the pot. Since your mom’s bringing the beans, I need to hurry up and finish the rice and guacamole so I can put the finishing touches on the cake. I thought of some things I wanted to add this morning.”
“I’m sure the cake will be great. All of your cakes are,” she replied as she quickly chopped the last two slices of potato and handed over the cutting board. “I’ll go ahead and start on the deviled eggs.”
“Hey, Mom; hey, love,” Tucker said as he strutted into the kitchen a few minutes later and walked straight over to the fridge for a sports drink.
“Hey, Jenna; hey, Izzy,” Jet said as he followed Tucker over to the fridge.
“Hey, guys,” Isabel replied as she continued to peel the hard boiled eggs under the running tap water at the sink.
“Hi there, birthday boy,” Jenna said, digging the pits from some avocadoes.
Tucker finished downing his drink before he responded. “Mom, really? What if the guys had been here?” He didn’t count Jet when he said that. Jet knew how his mother was.
“Oh, sorry, birthday man. You’re eighteen now. Not my baby anymore,” she replied jokingly, but her voice caught a little at the end.
Tucker rolled his eyes at Jet, both of them thinking the same thing, “Mothers…”
He looked over at Izzy then, who was still leaning over the sink with an egg in her hand, noticing how cute she looked in her apron. He snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her widening waist.
“Do you have any idea how sexy you look?” he whispered into her ear just softly enough so that no one else could hear and felt the heat from her blush against his cheek.
Isabel wanted to turn around and swat at him for making a comment like that around his mother, but she was worried Jenna might look over and see her blush. She settled for talking to him instead.
“Did you guys have fun?”
“Yeah, we won a few games. I even let Hector win a few.”
“Don’t gloat, Tuck,” she scolded playfully.
He chuckled. “Hey, I invited the guys over for the party, Mom.”
“Tucker Ryan, it’s bad enough having to try and fill yours and Jet’s bottomless pits, and now you’re bringing in more teenage boys into my house for food?” she teased.
“Well, into your backyard.”
Jenna turned around to smile at her son, happy to hear him in such a good mood. “Oh, my goodness! Tucker! You’re a mess! Jet, you’re just as bad.”
Isabel dropped the egg she was peeling back into the bowl by the sink and turned in Tucker’s arms to see what his mother was fussing about. Her expression turned to one of disgust when she saw his matted, sweaty hair and clothes, and the dirt and sweat streaks that had dried along his arms and legs.
“Ew! Tucker! You’re disgusting! Why did you put your arms around me? I’m all dressed for the party already.”
Jet snorted and Tucker chuckled. “Sorry, love. Couldn’t resist,” he added, brushing some stray strands of hair behind her ear.
“Wow, Izzy, you look really pregnant today,” Jet said from his place next to the fridge. “Like you got bigger from yesterday.”
Her hands dropped down to her stomach in surprise. She’d known her bump was growing, but from yesterday?
“Jet!” Jenna scolded.
Tucker looked her over. “You do look bigger. Maybe it’s the apron.”
She untied the apron and pulled it off for a comparison.
“Nope. Still bigger,” Jet decided.
Isabel glared at him from across the kitchen, and the others frowned.
“You’re over five months along now, Izzy. It was only a matter of time before you really started showing. Don’t worry about it,” Jenna assured her.
“You still look amazing,” Tucker added, meaning it. She was still hot to him.
“Honestly,” his mother went on, “Pregnancy suits you…but that doesn’t mean I want you two to work on making me any more grandchildren anytime soon,” she added sternly while waving a wooden spoon between her son and his girlfriend.
“One is more than enough at your age…” she said to herself as she turned back to the stove, “…especially at my age. A grandma at 41…”
The three teens grinned while they watched Jenna mutter under her breath. No kidding they weren’t going to try for any more children anytime soon. They didn’t even try for this one.
“Is that Tucker’s truck I see outside?!” Annie yelled from the hall.
Jenna and Isabel exchanged a look and grinned slyly.
“What? What is it?” Tucker asked anxiously, catching the women’s exchange.
Jet groaned. “I don’t know, dude, but Annie’s not happy.”
Annie marched into the kitchen only seconds later, her eyes flashing between the two guys. “You’re home.”
It was a statement, but it sounded like an accusation.
“Yeah?” Tucker replied guardedly.
“What have you been doing?” she asked, her tone sharp.
“Playing basketball?” For some reason, his answers were coming out like questions.
“You went out to play basketball… While we’ve all been here setting up, you two were out playing basketball.”
“It’s his birthday, sweetheart. He wanted to play some b,” Jet started.
“Okay fine, he wanted to play basketball. Whatever. But you didn’t think that we might have needed your help here, Jet?”
“Uh…” he stammered.
“Ugh! Never mind,” she said, exasperated, throwing her hands into the air. “I don’t have time to argue. There are things to do. Tucker, you need to go clean up. You look gross,” Annie instructed.
“I guess I’ll go home and clean up, too,” Jet said and started slinking towards the door.
“Uh, no, I need your help with a table in the backyard. One of the legs is stuck. I’ve been working on it for over ten minutes,” she said, obstructing his path.
“But you just griped at Tucker about going to clean up,” he argued.
“It’s Tucker’s party. He can’t be late. You can. Go shower, Tucker,” she said a little more forcefully when she saw he was still standing there.
Tucker shook his head and gave his mother and Isabel a parting look of bewilderment.
“Come on, let’s hurry up and get the backyard finished,” Annie said to Jet, tugging on his sweaty T-shirt. “Ugh, you’re so gross right now.”
Jet grinned at her, choosing to make light of her attitude. “Do you like it?”
She gave him an exasperated look of disbelief. “Don’t start.”
“You know, you’re cute when you’re mad.”
“Ugh, Jet! I’m so not in the mood!”
He grinned even wider. “It’s a party, sweetheart. You’ve gotta get in the mood.”
She sighed and looked up as if speaking to the ceiling. “Why I love you…”
“Because I’m incredibly hot and awesome.” He flashed his smile and a wink back towards the kitchen right before Annie finished pulling him from the room.
Isabel laughed at Jenna’s expression. “She’s kidding.”
“I know… Sometimes I wonder about you, kids,” she said and turned back to the stove. “Can you grab the strainer, Izzy? The potatoes are done.”
* * *
“Dang, Tucker, your dad can barbecue,” Cory said as he
shoved another piece of sausage into his mouth.
“I know. It’s always epic,” Noah agreed after he swallowed.
Tucker would have agreed with them, but his mouth was too full to comment.
“What do you think, Hector?” Jet said, clapping their friend on the back and jerking his attention back to their table.
“Huh? Uh, yeah, it’s good.”
Noah gave Hector a questioning look. “What’s going on with you?”
“Looks like Hector’s drooling over something else besides the food,” Kyle smirked and looked pointedly in the direction their friend had been staring in, motioning with his fork.
They followed Kyle’s fork to another table where Emma sat with the twins and Tabitha.
“Since when did you like blondes, man?” Cory teased.
“Shut up. She’s hot.”
Tucker grinned. “I don’t want to hear crap from you anymore about me ‘settling down,’ Hector.”
“I said she’s hot. That’s all,” he argued.
The ragging continued for a while, all of the guys taking their turn at him while they finished their food.
Tucker got up from the table a little later. His food had settled some, and he wanted to see what was left on the patio to eat. “I’ll be back,” he said to the guys.
Barkley ran up to him with a Frisbee when he was about halfway across the lawn.
“Hey, Tucker, throw it back over here!” Chris called from the backside of the yard, where he was playing with Tyler, Chelsea, and Victoria. “We were playing keep away, and he got it!”
He pulled the Frisbee from Barkley’s mouth and gave the loveable, chocolate lab a scratch behind the ears. “Heads up!” he called before he sent the Frisbee flying back to Jet’s little brother.
“Thanks!” Chris called back and ran to catch the Frisbee before the lab could intercept it again.
He waved a quick ‘no problem’ and made his way over to the patio. “Awesome, there’re some eggs left,” Tucker thought and stuffed one into his mouth whole. He loved Izzy’s deviled eggs. They had just the right amount of tang.
“Stuffing your face again?” he heard a teasing voice say from behind his shoulder. “I honestly don’t know where you put it.”
