Page 3 of Mr. McBeefcake

“Okay, I have a question,” Rory says.

“What’s that?” JD asks.

“I wanna know what Donovan thinks about his high school crush becoming his new stepsister,” Rory says. She flashes me a big grin.

“She’s got you there, man,” Jude says.

“First of all, I never said that Kathryn was my high school crush,” I say. “Secondly, it’s past time my dad found love again so I’m happy for him.”

“I believe the term he used for her was ‘the one who got away’,” JD says.

“Oh yeah, that’s right,” Hayes says. “You were mooning about how she was the one you let get away, and how you’d never forgive yourself.”

I take a slow pull on my beer. “I don’t think that ever happened.”

“It did,” Jude confirms. “You were drunk.”

“Then it doesn’t count,” I say.

“Where is that rule written down?” Chelsea asks.

“It’s not,” JD confirms.

“Well, as Rory so helpfully pointed out, Kathryn is about to be my stepsister, so it doesn’t matter what I said about her once when I was drunk. Besides, that was a long time ago.”

“And she still hates you,” Jude says.

I squeeze my eyes shut. “Remind me why I came over here to be with y’all.”

Everyone laughs.

“Y’all know I don’t have time for a relationship. I’m on the road most of the year. Football is my love.”

“That just sounds sad,” Jude says.

“Listen, man, we just want you to be as happy as we are,” Hayes says. “Married life is where it’s at.” He winks at his wife.

“He’s not wrong,” JD says.

“Next time bring your kids,” I tell Hayes. “At least then I’ll have someone to talk to.”