Chad showed up at the van with a cupcake around seven. They sat on the shag rug, with the back door open, their legs straight out, and their backs against one row of record boxes. “If your mom knew you were bringing this to me, she’d have rather chucked it, I bet.”
Chad made a face, so Tucker apologized. “That’s okay.” Then as Tucker went for a bite—frosting first—Chad slapped the underside of his hand, giving him a chocolate facial.
“Hey!” Tucker chuckled. Then, “Mmm,” he said, as Chad kissed frosting from his nose, chin, and lips.
“I hope she’ll come around someday,” Chad said. “I hope she gets better. I told her I was staying the night with you.”
“Wow. How did that fly?”
“She went to her room and never came out.”
“I’m sorry.” Tucker kissed him. “When, um, did you first tell her yo
