The Romeo Club

Soon we got to his house and he cut the engine. I followed him inside, where his mom stood in the kitchen over a sheet of chocolate chip cookies.

“Hi, Mom,” he said, giving her a quick hug.

“Hey, sweetie. How was your day?”

“Good. Got out of taking a test in Government because I did that extra credit project for Mr. Carp.”

“That’s nice.” She glanced up. When she saw me her smile widened. “Delyla, hi. I didn’t know you were coming home with Trey today.”

“We’re working on a project together,” I said.

“Then you two better take a couple cookies and get studying.” She snagged four steaming cookies and set them on a plate for us. “There’s milk in the fridge. Just make sure you bring the cups back downstairs. Oh, and Trey, leave your bedroom door open please.”

I’m not sure whose face turned redder. Trey’s or mine. But neither of us hung out long enough to see where the conversation might lead.

“Sorry about that,” he said when we got upstairs. “I don’t know why she said that.”

“If it’s the worst thing she ever says to embarrass you, then you’re lucky. You should hear the things that come out of my mom’s mouth. Remember, I told you she actually accused you of stealing her bra?”

He chuckled. “Well, at least I’ve never heard her say something crazy to me.”

“And now, you’ve jinxed yourself.”

Trey went over to his closet. “So, what should I wear tonight?”

I traipsed over to his drawers and pulled some shirts and jeans out. My teeth grazed my bottom lip as I held up several possible outfits. Finally, I decided on a vintage T-shirt and a pair of faded jeans.

“These will be perfect. Since you’re only getting together to watch TV, you want to go casual.”

He took the clothes from me. “I’ll go change in the bathroom.”

While he was gone, I studied the video game posters on his wall. Then wandered over to his bookshelf. He had Sci-Fi paperbacks, along with several fantasy novels. I smiled when I saw a picture of him with me and Drake. It’d been taken in front of his tree house when they were in sixth grade and I was in fifth. Next to that was a photo of the three of us at a book signing in Lansing two years ago.

“So, what do you think?” Trey said from behind me.

I spun to face him. My breath caught in my throat. The T-shirt was tight against his chest and made his shoulders broader. “Y-you look great. Maybe we can tousle your hair a little. Do you have some gel?”

“Yeah. Let me go grab it.” A second later he returned holding a purple tube of hair product. He handed it to me.

I squeezed some of the sticky goo into my palm then set the container down. My hands trembled as I reached up to mess up his hair. I swallowed hard. Topaz eyes met mine. He has no idea how hot he is. Unfortunately, I noticed. I ran my fingers through his locks, trying hard to ignore how fast my heart pattered. When I finished, I took a step back to admire my work.

“What do you think?” I asked.

He shook his head. “What?”

“Your hair, what do you think of it?”

He glanced in the mirror. “I hardly recognize myself.”

“It’s perfect. Portia will be head over heels in love with you by week’s end,” I teased.

“Let’s hope so. Now, I just need to figure out what to talk about.”

“The dance show. And don’t forget, I told you she’s a vegan. Maybe ask her some questions about that. I’m sure you can get her to do most of the talking.”

“Okay, I’ll try. Hopefully I don’t screw this up.” He gave a nervous laugh then grabbed his wallet from his nightstand. “Since I have some time to kill, you wanna go get some ice cream? My treat.”

“Are you kidding? Of course. Lesson number two. Women love ice cream. Well, I guess not all women, but most of us do.”

We left his room and cut through the kitchen to the side door. “Going so soon?” his mom said. “I thought you had a project to do?”

“We’re meeting up with Kevin and C.C. to go over a few notes,” Trey said. “And, don’t forget, I’ve got a date tonight.”

Mrs. Garrett glanced up from her cookie making. “You and Delyla?”

“No. Remember, I told you about Portia. I’m going to her house tonight.”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t remember. Maybe your dad and I should meet her parents before you go. For all we know she could be some harlot, trying to seduce you. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the new clothes and hairstyles. She’s changing you.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. “Portia’s nice, Mrs. Garrett.”

She wiped her hands on a towel. “Oh, I know, I’m being overprotective. But I worry about you, Trey. I don’t want you to get anyone pregnant. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you.”

He rubbed a hand across his face, his jaw muscles twitching. “Mom, this is my first date. I don’t plan on jumping her bones. Geez. Now, I’ve got to go or we’re going to miss meeting up with Kev and C.C.”

Trey grabbed hold of my arm and practically dragged me from his house.

When we reached the sidewalk, I burst out laughing. “Oh. My. God. I swear I thought my parents were the only ones who said crazy crap. But that was epic.”

“Glad you find it funny.”