And it was weird. Because I couldn’t remember what Matt smelled like. I closed my eyes. But I remembered Felix. He smelled like grass and sunshine. He smelled like a summer’s day. He smelled like happiness.
Jacob wiggled out of my arms. Apparently he did not appreciate the familiar hug as much as I did. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him grab Tanner’s hand. He was staring up at Felix.
And I realized I’d been hugging him a beat too long. I stepped back. “I know I have a lot of explaining to do. We were just about to hit the concession stand and then maybe we can all grab a seat together?”
“That’s probably not possible,” Tanner said. “The stands are pretty crowded. It’s better if we split up. Right, Felix? Good chap.” He slapped him on the back.
“Hey, Tanner,” Felix said. Then he looked back and forth between us. “Wait, are you two friends?”
“Ummm…” Tanner started.
“Are you two?” I asked.
“He sells me art,” Tanner said. “And he really should be going. There’s probably a seat for one up there somewhere for you, Felix.”
“Tanner, don’t be ridiculous. Felix is an old friend. And I…I really need to catch him up.”
Felix’s eyes had wandered down to my hand. Or more specifically, he was staring at the wedding band on my ring finger.
“Maybe another day would be better though?” Tanner asked. “We’re a little busy.”
“Wait, are you two…?” Felix looked back and forth between Tanner and me.
“No,” Tanner and I both said at the same time.
Although I understood why he thought so. Tanner was being weirdly possessive. And Jacob was holding his hand.
I cleared my throat. “Just um…we’ll be right back,” I said. “Jacob wanted a cupcake.” I needed a second away from Felix. I needed just a second alone to take a deep breath. I didn’t know why I hadn’t expected to see anyone here. Of course I’d see a familiar face at homecoming. It was called homecoming for a reason. And yet…I really hadn’t expected to see Felix. He hadn’t exactly been high on school pride when we went here. But he’d been here for two years without me…
“I’m okay, Mommy,” said Jacob. He looked up at Felix. “Who are you?”
“He’s an art dealer, and we really should be going,” Tanner said.
Why was Tanner trying to get rid of Felix? Maybe Tanner had hated the art Felix sold him or something? And by art I really hoped they meant art. And not drugs. But Felix didn’t look like a drug dealer. He looked successful. Composed. Happy, even if a little shocked right now.
Felix cleared his throat. “Yes, I do that. But I’m also an old friend of Brooklyn’s. Of your mom’s,” Felix quickly corrected.
“Like my abuelo?”
“Who?”
“My abuelo.” Jacob looked up at Tanner.
Tanner laughed.
“Wait, Tanner is your grandfather? How is that even possible?” Felix said.
Yeah, that definitely wasn’t possible, because I was pretty sure Tanner was about the same age as us. Maybe even a little younger.
“It’s a nickname because we’re bros,” Tanner said.
“Abuelo,” Jacob said. “It’s football time!”
“Yeah it is,” Tanner said and picked him up. “Let’s go find a seat for the three of us.” They started walking. Wow, Tanner really seemed to hate Felix.
“You really can sit with us,” I said. “I don’t know why Tanner is being so weird.” Although…he was always a little weird. “Does he not like you for some reason?”
“We’ve always gotten along,” Felix said. “But I barely know him.”
