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had a long talk. My
mom had issues." He pulled his hand from hers and waved it.
"It's a long story."
    She
stared at his hand on the table. Was she thinking about touching him?
He wished he hadn't pulled away so quickly. Instead, she picked up
her mug and drank some coffee.
    "Hey,
are you going to talk to your brother?" he asked, ignoring his
disappointment.
    "About
what?"
    "College.
Your future."
    "Maybe."
    "I
think you should. He's wondering why you aren't going to school, all
expenses paid. You don't have to sign up. I think letting him know
would make you both feel better.”
    "You're
right. I'll do it this week sometime. He's got the game and the road
trip coming up. After that I’ll talk to him."
    "Don't
wait too long."
    She
pulled her phone out of her pocket and checked the time. "We had
better get back to pick up Jessa." She dumped the last of her
drink into her mouth. "Thanks for the coffee."

    Corey
watched out the window as Chris opened the car door for Tonya. Tony ,
he corrected himself.
    Usually
she dropped Jessa off and came home. Instead, Chris went with her and
they disappeared for more than an hour.
    Nicole
was about ready to tie him down or drag him to bed. "Corey, calm
down," she said from where she was watching television. "Come
sit and watch with me. You're missing the show."
    "Aren't
you the least bit interested in where they went?"
    "Of
course, but I'm not going to attack them they moment they walk in the
door. First, I'm happy Tony finally left the house to socialize with
someone. Second, if she wants to talk to me she can. Nothing is going
to happen. The guy has been here twelve hours. Tony isn't the type to
do anything rash. Even if she is attracted to him."
    "He's
not the type of person I want her to be with."
    "Lucky
for her, you don't get to decide that. Corey, please, don't interfere
in her life. She's going to resent it. It will not help at all. Could
you sit and act like you are sane?" She gave him The Look and he
sighed. But took a seat beside her.
    Jessa
came in, gave her mom a hug and ran off to shower. Tonya disappeared
downstairs and Chris came and sat in the living room.
    Nicole
squeezed Corey's hand. He gave her a tight smile. "So did you
stay and watch Jessa?" he asked Chris.
    "No,
we went for coffee. Made small talk.” Chris shrugged. “I
was hoping she'd be able to tell me where is a good place to go out
for drinks. But I get the feeling she's not the bar type."
    Nicole
squeezed his hand again. When he glanced at her, she shook her head.
"She keeps to herself." Did Nicole expect him to say "she's
a fucking recluse and we worry about her"? He wanted to explain
Tonya, but time had taught him to keep from blurting out all his
thoughts, especially when he was angry or agitated.
    "I
suppose I should go to bed anyway. Early practice tomorrow and the
game."
    "And
on the road after that," Corey said. He was trying not to think
about it. He hated road trips. He missed Nicole and his bed and his
kids. He tried not working for a few years, but he found he was bored
out of his mind.
    "Well,
after that I can probably find someone on the team to find me the
hottest hangouts. Want to make sure I’m not in your hair here."
    That
made his beautiful wife comment, "In this house, it's the more
the merrier. There's always at least one extra face at the table. So
we don't mind at all.
    "Thanks.
Still, I'm not the type to stay home on a Friday. Or a Tuesday."
    "Well,
I gave you the house rules."
    "You
did and I promised to abide by them." Chris stood. "Good
night both of you. Thank you again for letting me stay here. I'm
extremely grateful."
    "Goodnight,
Chris," Nicole said, and Corey echoed her.
    When
he was out of earshot, Corey muttered, "Stay away from my sister
and we'll consider it even."
    Nicole
leaned her head on his shoulder. "Stop worrying so much. Will
you be this overprotective of Tanner? I heard a rumor he likes a girl."
    "Boys
are different."
    "That's
utter bullshit."
    "I
never said I liked