Page 222 of The Path to Loving Him
“I did, but what do you have against the movie playing?”
“Just figured something like . . .The Sandlotmight be more appropriate and family-friendly, especially when Tom Hanks freaking pisses in the locker room for thirty-five goddamn seconds and then shakes it out.”
Hattie thinks about it. “Huh, you know, I forgot about that part.”
“It’s not really an innocent, family-friendly movie. For God’s sake, Stillwell Angel gets beamed in the face with a glove in the movie. Is that what we want to teach our kids?”
Hattie lets out a large laugh and buckles at the stomach. “Oh God, Stillwell Angel, such a good scene. Got him right in the head. And Tom Hanks’s response after is priceless. I can’t wait for that part.”
“Okay, so I’m assuming you don’t care?”
Hattie waves me off. “It’s Ethel’s problem, not mine. All I care about is getting a spot on the lawn in front of the screen with a bag of kettle corn on my lap and a burly rock star sitting behind me.”
“Glad you have your priorities straight,” I answer as I see Wyatt and Aubree walk up with Mac, who looks cute as shit in a pink dress and her hair pulled into a high ponytail. She spent the night with them last night because she said she wanted to dress up Uncle Wyatt in bows and ride him like a horsey. It worked out well because Bennett came back last night, and we were able to have a small dinner, just the four of us, and then spend some personal time with Bennett while Mac went off to play horsey.
I was kind of surprised when Mac didn’t take to Bennett like she does to other people, but then again, Bennett looked stiff as fuck and out of place around a little kid. He didn’t know how to handle her, which I found comical. But it was good to spend some time with him last night, talking about his experience with the Bombers and his plans moving forward during the off-season. As expected, he has no intention of taking time off. Instead, he wants to lay out a progressive plan with Gabby that will have him ready for strength training.
In bed last night, I suggested to Gabby that he take a second to breathe, even if it’s only a week. She agreed with me and plans on working in downtime. But we’re going to use him during our school practices and have him help out because he can help instruct the boys. That will also give him access to all the facilities at the school.
“Uncle Dad,” Mac says as she runs up to me. I lift her into the air and catch her, loving her little laugh.
“How was playing with Uncle Wyatt last night? Was he a good horsey?”
“No.” Mac frowns. “He kept flicking his bows out of his hair.”
I eye Wyatt. “You were flicking your bows out of your hair?”
“No,” he says with a roll of his eyes. “One was bothering me. I itched it, and it got knocked out. Apparently, that’s me flickingallthe bows out.”
“Seems like she’s right.”
Wyatt scoffs. “Thanks, dude.”
I chuckle. “Did Aunt Aubree share her muffins with you this morning?”
“She did. I had two.”
“Two muffins?” My eyes pop open as I stare at Aubree.
“Two halves, which make a whole. Trust me, I would not give her two muffins.”
“I’d hope not. How would she possibly have room for all the cotton candy Uncle Wyatt will buy her?”
Mac turns toward Wyatt. “You’re going to buy me cotton candy?”
“Yeah, who else would? That’s my job as the fun uncle.” He then takes Mac from me, and they head toward the cotton candy booth.
Her little voice says, “I want to go on the Ferris wheel with Uncle Dad.”
“We can arrange that,” Wyatt answers her as they move farther away.
More people from town . . . and what seems like people from out of town, start filtering in, and the space on the lawn starts to fill out.
“When’s Bennett supposed to get here?” Aubree asks, looking around.
“Soon. Gabby kept him at the house so more people would be here before they showed up. But from the looks of it, it will be full soon.”
Aubree tilts her nose up. “Do I smell funnel cake?”
