Page 24 of The Hang Up
I felt like a creep. Talking to Regina and thinking about her son.
Regina had always been friendly. I could see the interest in her eyes. I’d trained myself to spot that sort of thing. It was a good negotiating tool. Not that I would do anything with Regina. But it dawned on me that we were both single now. At least, that seemed to be the message in her eyes.
“How’s school going, Angel?”
She rolled her eyes at me, and Regina told her to behave. But I was barely paying attention. Because I remembered asking Brock that question and the conversation that happened after.
“Are you doing anything fun?” I tried again.
“I’m on the scholar bowl team.”
“That’s amazing. Do you like trivia?”
She nodded and picked at her nails. No polish today. “I’d rather play basketball, but Mom said no.”
Regina rolled her eyes. And I could feel a fight coming on. Trying to defuse it before it caught on, I said, “At least you don’t have to do burpees. The boys used to hate those.”
“Oh my God,” Regina said, putting her hand on my arm. “Do you remember when you coached the boys’ basketball team? Were they in third or fourth grade? We had to practically drag them to practice.”
“Mostly Sean. He thought he could play perfectly fine. Who needs practice?”
She laughed. “You’re right. Brock never wanted to miss. I think that boy liked practices more than the actual games.”
I laughed with her, but my stomach churned uneasily. How had I been so clueless? Brock had always had a crush on me. Was this time no different?
“Mom?”
I recognized his voice before I turned around, trying to school my features. Brock was staring at Regina’s hand on my arm. Oh God.
She moved her hand and stood.
“What’s going on?” Sean asked. I’d been so focused on the anger in Brock’s eyes that I hadn’t noticed my son standing behind him. Father of the Year.
“Nothing’s going on,” Regina said, giving Brock and then Sean a hug. “We were just catching up. I thought you weren’t coming. The treatment went well. We’re just waiting on meds.”
“And hanging out with Mr. Miller,” Brock said. It sounded like an accusation.
She frowned. “Is that a crime?”
“Hey, everyone. I’m the important one here,” Angel said with a huff. “You promised me ice cream.”
“Sean promised you ice cream,” Brock said.
“I’m talking to Sean.”
He glanced at his mom. “Not sure that’s a good idea.”
“She’s doing fine,” Regina said to Brock. She held up her hands. “We can all go for ice cream. Are you in, Joshua?”
I wanted to go, just to be around Brock, but his mouth was set in a tight line, clearly telling me to say no. “I’m afraid I can’t.”
“Too bad,” she said, squeezing my arm. “Maybe next time.”
Sean was looking back and forth between us as if trying to figure something out.
“Oh wait.” Regina laughed. “I forgot the prescriptions. They should be ready soon.”
“Hey, Mom. Why don’t you guys go on ahead to the ice cream shop? I’ll pick up the prescriptions and meet you there.”
