AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Let’s pray so we can get to eating,” Jay said. “I’m going to have to leave pretty soon here.”
Once he’d prayed, they let Jay go first, then the kids filled their plates. As usual, Charli waited for everyone else to get their food, though Blake had no idea why she did that.
Eventually, she settled into a seat across the table and down a seat from him. She was wearing a burgundy-colored T-shirt, similar to the ones the others were wearing. It had the high school logo on it, so he assumed they were all going to the game as well.
“How was school this week, Charli?” Misha asked.
“It was fine. Nothing too exciting.”
“Really? I can’t believe that a room full of young kids isn’t exciting.”
Charli chuckled. “Well, I guess that depends on your idea of exciting.”
“Zachary threw up today,” Amelia volunteered.
“Was that exciting?” Misha asked her with a smile.
“Nope. Just gross.”
“I agree with Amelia,” Charli said. “It was definitely gross. More up your alley than mine, Misha.”
Blake waited for someone to comment on how that wasn’t appropriate conversation for the table—his mom definitely would have said something. But then he realized that since they were a medically oriented family, Amelia’s comment probably wasn’t as off-putting as his mom would have found it.
He didn’t necessarily enjoy discussing kids throwing up, but he sure did like the relaxed atmosphere. It was reminiscent of hanging with his buddies in the army.
Though he missed his friends, most hadn’t understood his decision to walk away from his career in the army for Amelia’s sake. That meant he hadn’t had a lot of contact with them since leaving Texas.
So finding some friends who offered him and Amelia a similar environment was hard to resist. And if it allowed him to be close to Charli, that was just gravy.
“Okay, folks,” Jay said as he pushed back from the table. “I’m off. See you in a bit. Cheer loudly.”
He bent to give Misha a kiss, then did the same to their kids before leaving the dining room.
“What type of team are we playing tonight, Will?” Jackson asked.
“A pretty decent one. But Jay’s guys still have a good chance.”
“As good as when Cole was on the team?” Janessa asked.
Will grimaced. “Well, no. I’m not sure the team will ever be that good again. Cole and the other guys on that team were just a stellar combination.”
“I guess it doesn’t really matter,” Jackson said. “We’re going to cheer them on, regardless.”
“I’ll be bringing cookies to the game,” Charli announced. “So don’t worry about not having dessert here.”
They didn’t linger over their meal, and when they were done eating, everyone pitched in to clear the table. Blake gathered up his and Amelia’s disposable dishes and carried them into the kitchen.
“You can put those in the garbage can under the sink,” Charli said when he stepped around the island. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for letting us join you for these evenings.”
It was probably iffy to thank her for that, given that she hadn’t invited them herself.
Charli nodded, her expression revealing nothing of how she might really feel about his presence.
“Do you know where the high school is, Blake?” Will asked.
“No. I haven’t been there yet.”
