Just Neighbors

by Charity Ferrell

  “My boyfriend, Roger,” Claudia corrects.

  “Right, Roger,” Chloe replies.

  I give them a nod. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Claudia gives me a cold glare. “Really, asshole? You going to act like we didn’t share words back there?”

  Chloe earmuffs Gloria with her hands.

  “No, I wasn’t going to mention you going nuts on me, but fine.” I move my gaze from her to Chloe. “Your sister is convinced I have an imaginary wife and need to stay away from you.”

  Chloe’s face shades in embarrassment. I didn’t need to say her sister’s words for her to understand.

  “Claudia,” she warns, “this is not the place for one of your scenes.”

  Too late for that.

  “I don’t want him or his stuck-up family around my children,” she snarls.

  “Relax. He wants to help Trey stay out of trouble. Trey didn’t get a shoplifting charge because of Kyle. You should be thanking him instead of giving him a rough time.”

  “Roger can help Trey stay out of trouble.”

  I can’t stop myself from laughing, and I hold my hand over my mouth to hide it. I don’t do it well though. I can tell Chloe is biting her tongue from doing the same. Roger is the last person I’d want as a role model for my son. I’ve picked him up for petty crimes. Dude also has sticky fingers.

  Claudia leans forward and sticks her head between Chloe and me. “He thinks he’s better than us.”

  “No, he doesn’t,” I correct.

  “He doesn’t. Kyle is trying to help,” Chloe says. “Like I said, this isn’t the place.”

  “It’s never the place to state my opinion with you. No one is allowed to embarrass precious Chloe and her perfect reputation.” She lets out a sarcastic laugh and fixes her attention on me. “Oh, wait, some asshole already tarnished your reputation. Now, you’re fucking him and making a fool of yourself. Don’t come running to me when you find out he’s using you for pussy.”

  She sure puts a somber mood on shit.

  Claudia was kind enough to raise her voice louder than the announcer, so all eyes are now on us. Chloe is pulling her jacket tighter around her body, and her eyes won’t meet mine—no doubt, out of embarrassment.

  I stand. “I’ll go.”

  Chloe brings her hand up to stop me. “No.” She glances over at Claudia. “Trey wanted Kyle to come. Let’s not disappoint him more than we already have, okay?”

  “Wanted him to come?” Claudia says, appalled. “Okay, whatever.” Her glare turns to me. “Stay away from my children. This will be the last time my son will want to hang out with you after I tell him what you did to his aunt.” Her glare goes back to Chloe. “Here I am, trying to show up and be a good mom, and you do this.”

  I ignore Claudia and focus on Chloe, forcing a smile before leaning in so that only she can hear me. “I’ll stay, but I’m going to watch from somewhere else.”

  “Thank you,” she whispers.

  I ignore Claudia’s shit-talking as I walk away. As I’m looking for a new seat, I spot Gage and Lauren in the stands. They exchange a confused glance when I sit down. I failed to tell them I was coming.

  “I see you party animals are enjoying your Friday night,” I say. “What are you guys doing here?”

  “Dude, what better way is there to spend a Friday night than watching high school kids kick ass in football?” Gage replies with a grin.

  “The better question is, what are you doing here?” Lauren says. “Normally, you spend your Fridays at Down Home with the guys.”

  I nod toward the field. “Chloe said Trey asked for me to come.”

  “Trey as in Chloe’s nephew?” Gage questions, the words slowly leaving his mouth.

  “Yes.”

  “You’re so damn screwed,” he mutters.

  “She agreed to a double date,” I inform them. “So, please act normal for once.”

  Lauren fakes offense. “What? I’m always normal.”

  Gage snorts while I chuckle.

  She rolls her eyes and slaps Gage on his shoulder, resulting in a laugh and kiss from him.

  I sit back and watch the game.

  Trey is the JV quarterback and has talent. I watch him play while also keeping my eye on Chloe. She’s trying but not doing a great job of hiding how miserable she is with her sister and Roger.

  “Pizza! I love pizza!” Gloria sings while skipping into the pizza shop with Chloe at her side.

  Trey’s team won. After the game ended, Chloe texted, saying Gloria was hungry and cranky, so they were leaving, and she thanked me for coming. As soon as I saw them get up, I jumped up from my seat and followed her down the bleachers.

  Not in a stalker way, I swear it.

  I stayed to the side while Chloe and Claudia talked near the entrance, but Claudia’s loud mouth made it possible for me—along with everyone around—to hear her every word. From what it sounded like, she was skipping out on Trey’s celebratory pizza dinner in exchange for having a drink with good ole Roger. I’m a drinker. I don’t care who else drinks, but don’t ditch your kid who played his ass off for a few beers.

  Because crazy Claudia bailed, I had the opportunity to invite myself.

  So, here we are.

  Pizza-ing it up.

  Gloria and Trey squeeze into one side of the booth while Chloe and I do the same across from them. I rub my hands together after ordering drinks and study the menu even though I’ve eaten here hundreds of times. It’s the only pizza joint in town.

  “So,” I say, setting the menu to the side, “your aunt Chloe said we’re getting extra anchovies on our pizza.”

  I’m good with kids. We hold events and fundraisers at the station all the time, and when my siblings and I were growing up, my mom insisted we do our fair share of charity, most of them involving children from bad upbringings.

  “Heck no!” Trey exclaims, shaking his head. “I’m not eating that nasty crap.”

  Gloria peers up at me, her blonde hair back in French braids and finished off with red bows. “What are anchovies?”

  “Dead Nemos,” Trey replies.

  “Trey!” Chloe warns. “Not funny.”

  “What?” Trey questions. “I’d prefer not to enjoy Nemo with my extra cheese.”

  Gloria appears close to tears.

  Shit. Maybe I’m not good with kids anymore.

  She’s thinking we’re devouring cartoon characters tonight. “But … but I love Nemo.”

  Chloe shoots Trey a stern look. “Your brother is kidding, honey.” She slides crayons to her. “Now, show me how well you color.”

  Chloe’s attention moves to entertaining her niece and taking her mind away from eating striped fish.

  “You played a good game tonight,” I tell Trey.

  He grins and perks up in his seat. “Thanks, dude. I’m hoping they move me up to varsity. It’d be awesome!”

  “Kyle played varsity,” Chloe says, bumping my shoulder.

  Whoa. Is this about to finish with a compliment or a smart-ass comment about jocks?

  “Cool!” Trey says with wide eyes. “What position did you play?”

  I scratch my neck. “Quarterback.”

  “I bet you got laid all the time,” Trey comments.

  “Seriously, Trey,” Chloe says, gesturing to Gloria.

  He shrugs. “It’s the truth. Dudes on varsity get so many chicks, and considering there’s not much else going for me, I need all the help I can get.”

  Chloe flinches next to me at the same time I frown.

  “What does that mean?” she snaps.

  Uh-oh.

  Trey plays with the straw in his drink and looks down in shame when answering, “Come on, you know our family and where we live. Girls don’t want to date guys who come from the trailer park or ones with no money. So, if I make it to varsity, they’ll like me more.”

  I open my mouth to assure him it’s not true, but a response coming from me isn’t appropriate. I hate he’s going thr
ough it, but I’ve never experienced that struggle. The best person to tell him not to look at himself that way and ensure it gets better is the woman sitting next to me—a woman who was raised in it, struggled with it, and then rose from it. Chloe is living evidence you can’t control the cards you’re dealt, but you can control how you play them.

  Hurt and resentment are clear on her face, but her voice is soft when she speaks, “That’s not true.”

  I wait for her to say more, but there’s nothing. Maybe it’s a sensitive subject for her. Shit, maybe is an understatement. I’ve talked to children who live there, and their lives aren’t pretty.

  I point to Trey and decide to brighten the somber mood the best I can. “I’d suggest not pursuing a girl who dates you because you either made it to varsity or have money. She’s not the type who will end up being a good girlfriend.”

  “Plus,” Chloe adds before Trey can reply, “I thought you were dating a girl from the neighborhood?”

  He shrugs. “I was.”

  “And?” she questions.

  “She’s not …” He pauses to shake his head, as if he’s debating whether to continue. “People make fun of her. People make fun of me for hanging out with her.”

  I look over at Chloe in fear for myself. Her attitude is sexy but can also be scary as hell. Her eyes are closed, and a mixture of pain and fury flashes across her face. Trey’s attention goes to his drink. He’s taking loud sips, realizing it’s better to keep his mouth shut sometimes.

  “Let me guess,” Chloe finally snaps, and she peeks over at Gloria before continuing her ass-chewing. “Earmuffs, sweetie.”

  Gloria drops her crayons and places her hands over her ears.

  Chloe clears her throat, lubricating her impending lecture. “Let me guess; she’s called trailer trash for where she lives—side note, which is also where you live—and for her parents being poor. She doesn’t own brand-name shoes or have the extra funds to go on class trips, so they sneer at her in disgust, as if she were scum beneath their shoes.” She focuses on him in disappointment. “Don’t you dare judge or hurtfully treat a girl—better yet, anyone for that. Do you hear me?” She rests her elbows on the table, leans in, and lowers her voice. “Let me tell you something. I was that girl they’re teasing. Do it again, and I will ground you for so long; you’ll be eighty before you see a varsity jersey.”

  Da-yum.

  Chloe came in with the kill shot.

  Trey struggles for a response. “I … I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “Yes, you did,” she says within seconds.

  He looks at us, embarrassed. “It’s hard here.” He shakes his head. “Forget it. Remind me not to talk about my girl problems with you.”

  “You can bring up your girl problems with me anytime,” Chloe says. “I’d prefer it, so you don’t make decisions like that again.”

  “Or ask me,” I add. “I happen to be very educated on the ladies.”

  Chloe elbows me. “He is not very educated on the ladies, hence why he’s still single.” Her eyes focus on Trey. “Don’t be an asshole to her, you hear me? I will make it my mission to check up with her regularly to make sure you’re not.”

  “I understand,” Trey says. “I know it’s wrong. I’ll talk to her tomorrow and apologize.”

  Chloe leans forward to remove Gloria’s earmuffs.

  Dinner has taken a sad turn. I frown. Chloe’s reaction hit a chord. A thickness forms in my throat for not treating her better or for not sticking up for her, so she wouldn’t feel like that girl.

  “Now that that’s over, let’s change the subject to rainbows and butterflies, okay?” Chloe says, her mood turning the opposite in seconds. She grins at Gloria and starts coloring with her again.

  We order our food. I talk football with Trey while Chloe and Gloria color until our pizza comes. Pepperoni, no anchovies.

  The mood lightens as we eat. Gloria talks about how much she loves her preschool teacher and how her class loved the pink boots Chloe had gotten her. Trey talks about his grades and how he aced his last few tests.

  They’re good kids.

  Good kids limited on opportunity because of their background.

  And that fucking sucks.

  Being a police officer has matured me and opened my eyes to how others aren’t born into privileged lives like I was. I see these kids who go without. If it looks like they need food, I’ll buy them something at the diner, or I’ll slip them some candy. But I’ve never heard their stories like this.

  This dinner has enlightened me.

  Trey slams my Jeep door shut at the same time I get out, and we walk over to Chloe’s house from my drive. He asked to ride with me after pizza. It’s unfortunate the people in this town label kids like him as delinquents without knowing their stories. Trey isn’t trouble. He’s a kid who needs direction and a good role model, and I’m up for helping anyone I can.

  “Dude,” he says next to me. He’s a teenager and already nearly six feet tall. “You’d better be coming over and hanging out with us tonight.”

  We walk up the porch steps where Chloe is jamming her key into the front door lock while Gloria stands next to her, holding a doll sporting ratty hair.

  “I’m not sure about that, buddy,” I answer. I have no problem with coming over uninvited when it’s just Chloe home but not when the kids are over.

  “Come on,” Trey argues with a face full of determination. “I have the best Netflix watch list. Plus, it’s not like you old folks have anything better to do on a Friday night. You’re going to go home, get rid of the corns on your feet, and then clean your dentures.”

  Trey is a little smart-ass.

  He reminds me of myself at his age.

  Chloe helps Gloria inside the house and starts flipping on lights when we walk in. “Hey now,” she calls out to Trey, “we are not that old.”

  “You two are freaking ancient,” Trey continues before glancing at me. “There’s no way you’re going to bed this early.”

  I peer over at Chloe and wait for her permission. Yes, fucking wait for her permission like I’m the same age as Trey.

  “Yes, Kyle, you don’t want them to think we’re too old,” she replies in a playful tone. “Let’s show these youngins that we can totally hang.”

  “Never say totally hang again,” I say, winking. “You’re already making us look old.”

  Trey slaps me on the back. “I’ll be on popcorn duty. Kyle, make yourself comfortable!”

  Gloria plops down on the couch and situates her baby next to her. “The Grinch!” she squeals. “I want to watch The Grinch!”

  I sit down in an abandoned chair across from her. “The Grinch?” I question. “It’s October.”

  “Gloria requests to watch it every day of the year,” Chloe says around a sigh. “Netflix won’t take it down.” She sits down and starts carefully unbraiding Gloria’s hair. “It’s your bedtime, honey. How about we put your pajamas on, and I’ll read The Grinch to you before bed?”

  “Okay!” Gloria says with excitement. “Can I wear my princess pajamas?”

  “Of course.” Chloe peeks over at me. “Let me get her situated for bed. I’ll be back.”

  I nod. “Take your time.”

  I’ve never seen this side of Chloe. I’ve seen the competitive, pissed off side of her. All she cared about was her grades in high school, so they called her the ice queen. She went to one school dance—the one with me. She didn’t attend field trips, parties, games—anything. From the looks of it, she had no social life. Also, from the looks of it now, she still doesn’t.

  Trey returns with drinks and a large bowl of popcorn. “Here, dude.” He tosses me a can of Coke. “This cool?”

  I pop open the tab. “Sure is.”

  He takes Gloria’s abandoned seat. “Aunt Chloe’s ex was a Coke drinker, too, which I liked.”

  I raise a brow. Not sure why the kid is bringing up Kent the Buzzkill.

  “Dude, you’re way cooler than him,” he
quickly adds, as if reading my annoyance. “What I meant was, I like hanging out with someone who can have a good time without drinking beer and getting wasted—like all my mom’s boyfriends do. I’ve drunk beer a few times. It tastes like cow piss.” He peers at the hallway, making sure Chloe isn’t within earshot. “Now, vodka, on the other hand …”

  Shit. How do I tell this kid not to drink vodka when I was chugging the shit in high school? Fuck, I am not ready to be a dad yet. But, as a cop, I’ve given the same speech numerous times. Bonging a few beers didn’t affect me when I was younger, but I can’t say the same for others.

  “This is much more satisfying than alcohol, I promise. Not to mention, safer.”

  He chuckles, shaking his head. “You have to say that as a grown-up and cop.”

  I lean back in my chair. “I’m not trying to be a dick, but look at your mother’s boyfriends. Are they who you want to be like?”

  He points his Coke to me and grins. “Good point.”

  I hold up my can in a cheers gesture.

  He props his feet up onto the coffee table. “Thanks for coming to my game tonight.”

  “No problem. I had fun. Thanks for inviting me and letting me crash your pizza party.”

  “Crash our parties anytime, dude.”

  He pulls his phone from his pocket when it rings. “Shit,” he whispers under his breath when he glances at the screen.

  “What?” I mean, watch your mouth.

  All playfulness is gone. “It’s my mom.”

  He hits the Ignore button and shoves it back into his pocket. Can’t say I blame the guy.

  What seems like a minute later, Chloe returns to the living room with a ringing phone in her hand.

  “Let me guess,” Trey huffs out. “It’s her.”

  Chloe’s smile is gone. “I’m sorry, buddy,” she replies with a strained voice.

  “Ignore it, like I did,” he replies.

  Her face falls. “We both know what happens when I do that.” She repeatedly shakes her head while moving out of the room and heading back down the hallway.

  “What happens?” I ask Trey when she’s gone.

  He scrubs his hand over his chin, debating on whether to tell me. “Mom shows up here with her boyfriend of the week, and it ends up turning into some big drama-fest.”