Page 58 of Rival Season
Donna quickly jots it down on her notepad before turning her full attention back on me. “And for you, darlin’?”
“I’ll have the big breakfast with scrambled eggs, double sausage, and bacon. Extra hash browns, too. Oh, and a stack of chocolate chip pancakes on the side. Actually, better make that a double stack. With whipped cream.” Donna gapes at me, her hand clutched to her chest, and I smile as I add, “Please.”
“My, my, my,” Donna says, shaking her head in admiration as she smacks her gum. “You’re a growing boy, aintcha? I’ll get those through to the kitchen right away.”
She throws me a blue-mascaraed wink before walking away, and Cassie dissolves into giggles, slumping down in her seat.
“Donna’s in love,” she cackles.
“I can’t help that I’m hungry,” I say in my defense.
Cass laughs harder. “You better tell Hazel she’s got competition.”
The mention of Hazel makes me smile—I wonder what she’d think of Donna’s outrageous flirting.
“What can I say? The older ladies love me.” I smirk at Cassie.
“Gross.” She makes a face. “And I keep forgetting Hazel is older than you.”
“Not by much,” I say with a shrug. I’d never even thought about our age difference until she pointed it out when we were hanging out at her place last week. I’ve always felt older than my age in a lot of ways, anyway—a side effect of having to grow up quicker than most people and look out for my sister from a young age.
“But speaking of Hazel, where is she?” Cassie asks me. “I figured she’d be here today.”
“She’s working,” I say, even though I have no idea if she’s working or not. “Plus, you know I’m not really into birthdays.”
“What if Hazel wants to celebrate you, though?”
“We’ll do something later,” I say with a shrug. I did think about texting Hazel this morning and inviting her for brunch with me and Cass. I’ve missed her this week…more than I thought I would. Especially every time that kiss ran through my mind.
We got back from our trip yesterday, but I haven’t seen Hazel yet—all three of us guys went straight to bed when we got home last night, exhausted after a packed week of games and travel. But as much as I wanted to see Hazel today, I didn’t want her to feel pressured or awkward when she found out it was my birthday. She has enough on her plate without having to worry about her fake boyfriend turning twenty-three.
“Hazel’s cool,” Cassie announces, snapping me out of my thoughts. “I like her.”
“Same.”
“No, duh.” Cassie waves her fork dramatically. “I haven’t seen you this crazy about someone since you were thirteen and had an insane crush on that girl who worked at the frozen yogurt stand. You know, the one with the braces. You dragged me there on my bike about a million times that summer, even though you hate froyo.”
I burst out laughing. “Mackenna Maloney. I forgot all about that. I really dug those braces of hers; they had purple rubber bands on them.”
Cassie smirks. “You were so sure you were in with her because she gave you free extra toppings on your sundae once, and then you asked her out and she said no. You almost cried.”
“I definitely cried.” I grin. “That girl put a huge dent in my eighth-grade ego. But at least you finally learned to ride a bike properly that summer.”
“True.” Cassie looks uncharacteristically serious for a moment. “So, I got you something.”
“Why would you do that?” I demand.
“Because you’re my brother, and you’ve done so much for me. Including paying my college tuition…and because it's your birthday today and here you are, buyingmelunch.” She raises her brows. “I could go on. Want me to?”
“You’re seventeen. It’s my job to look after you.”
She shakes her head. “That’s the thing, Penn, it’s not. It never should have been. Yet you always did everything you could to make my childhood bearable. It’s all thanks to you that I have so many good memories to hold onto.”
My eyes sting with emotion as I swallow back tears and shake my head. “I should’ve done a better job of making sure you had the best life, a better job of keeping you safe, and just being there for you?—”
“Penn!” Cassie smacks her palm on the table, making me startle. “With all due respect, shut up.”
I laugh, but the sound is strained. “I’m not wrong, though. Every time I think about you all alone that night?—”
