Page 13 of Better Together

Zeke came to his rescue and reached for the bag. “Thanks, Sloane. Are you two in the same classes?”

She tucked her hair behind her ear, and Zeke noticed Tommy swallow. He didn’t blame the kid. When Alexis played with her hair, he had the same reaction.

“We have English together.” She smiled. “We’re both seniors this year.”

Zeke bumped Tommy’s shoulder. “Cool.”

“Well, I better get back to the store. I have a few more deliveries to make.”

“Thanks, Sloane,” Zeke said.

Sloane smiled, then waved to Tommy as she walked out the door.

“Well, someone has the hots for Sloane.” Zeke bumped shoulders with Tommy again and almost knocked him over.

Zeke smirked, remembering the awkward stage of liking a girl. Of course, by his senior year, he didn’t need help finding a date.

Tommy shuffled his feet and slung his bangs out of his face. “She’s out of my league. She’s dating the captain of the football team.”

Zeke felt bad for him. When he was Tommy’s age, he had relied on his humor and his wicked flirting skills. But there were girls out of his league, too, and he knew exactly how Tommy felt. Every guy had a Sloane in their life. Teenage hormones sucked.

“You might be surprised.” Zeke shrugged. “Be her friend. It may turn into more.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

The doorbell rang. “Maggie, he’s here. I’ll text you after the date. Gotta go.” Alexis disconnected from her best friend and shoved her phone into her purse.

She opened the door to find Mitch in a Minnesota Vikings jersey and jeans, his blonde hair tousled like he had just woken up. This is what he wore on a date?

“Hi, Mitch. I think I’m overdressed.” Alexis had chosen an off-the-shoulder emerald green cashmere sweater, dark jeans, and black heeled boots.

Mitch’s eyes skimmed her body from head to toe. “Heck no. You look fantastic.”

Alexis blushed. Her first impression might have been too judgmental. He did say to dress casual, and obviously he liked his sports team. She locked her house and followed him to his truck, where he opened the passenger door for her. One point for being a gentleman.

She buckled her seat belt and asked, “What’s the plan?”

Mitch looked at her with confusion. “Oh. We’re headed to Willow Creek to Buster’s Bar and Grill. They have a great selection of beer and apps.”

When he said Buster’s, it dawned on her: Sunday afternoon. He was wearing a football jersey . . . He was taking her to watch the Vikings game. It wasn’t like she hated football, but on her one day off and only the second date she’d been on in like, forever, watching the Vikings game wasn’t her idea of a fun afternoon.

She faked a smile. “Great.”

* * *

Mitch opened the door to Buster’s for her to enter. Another point for manners. Maybe it’ll be fine. “Thank you,” Alexis said.

The noise of the patrons hit her first, followed by the smell of grease. He moved in front of her and pointed to a high table, the only one available. He hurried to the table and glanced at the multiple televisions taking up space on every wall. “I made a reservation, otherwise we’d be stuck at the bar since the game is about to start.”

“I didn’t know they reserved tables on game day.”

“Not for everyone. I know the owner.”

The voices grew louder as the Vikings took the field. She couldn’t help looking around at the sea of purple. Maybe she shouldn’t be wearing green. Shit. She was wearing the enemy colors. At least Mitch was kind enough not to say anything. There was only one other couple in the bar who wore rival jerseys.

A twenty-something in a low-cut purple shirt and short jean shorts approached their table. “What can I get you two?”

The server gave Alexis a once-over and one of her brows hit her hairline. Alexis already knew she had made a mistake wearing green, but she wondered why she deserved the look she’d received. She raised her voice over the crowd. “What do you have on tap?”