Traded – By JCC Downing #2
Bri winked at him. “Maybe in Chicago, but out here? I’m lucky if I get a second to meet the clubhouse guys.”
Scott shook his head, “Not as long as you’re living with me. The last thing I need is for my baby sister to be hooking up with one of my teammates.”
“You’re no fun,” she pouted. Grabbing onto Troy’s arm, “At least he’ll let me hang out with you. You can run interference for me.”
Troy chuckled, “Not if I want to keep my balls, darlin. Your brother would string me up if I let you get into trouble.”
“Boo,” she whined. “You’re just a pair of old men.”
“Not that old,” Troy protested.
She looked him up and down. “True, I distinctly remember catching you and my brother trying to sneak back into the house one night a few summers ago butt-naked except for your shoes. That was the night you and he went to that party with the football guys and you?—”
Scott cut her off, “Yeah, yeah, we remember. You weren’t supposed to be awake, if I remember correctly.”
“And you were supposed to have clothes on.” She grabbed a handful of pretzels from the bowl on the table.
“What happened to their clothes?” Angela asked, handing her another soda.
Troy interrupted this time. “How much for you not to tell that story ever again?”
Bri gave them a wicked smile. “Well, since Scott wants me to play chauffeur for you and him tomorrow, I’d say a shopping spree at Amoeba.”
“What’s Amoeba?”
“Only the most fantastic record store in the city.” She gave Troy a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be up before ten tomorrow morning to pick you two up. Scottie is buying breakfast.” Hugging her brother and kissing his cheek, she hurried back down the stairs and to the DJ booth.
“Did I just shoot myself in the foot?”
Scott just laughed, raising his glass in a salute. “Oh yeah.”
Troy woke to the sound of a blender and rolled over slowly, arching into a slow full-body stretch.
Nine thirty. Glancing at the doorway to ensure the door was firmly shut, he stood, nude, and made his way to the en-suite to take care of his morning business.
The water was nice and hot, and the shower heads were just right.
He’d have to find out if they came with the house or if Scott had them put in custom, because wherever he ended up, he wanted this set up in his master bath.
He skipped the razor this morning, since he knew he’d have to shave when he reported to the team.
Probably the only thing he didn’t like about New York was the shaving requirement.
Los Angeles was much more flexible, but to be honest, he didn’t like having a bushy beard when he was playing; it got too hot and held onto sweat longer than he found comfortable.
But today, a little scruff wasn’t going to kill him.
Normally he’d be up by six for a morning run, followed by weights for another hour, then breakfast. But with jet lag followed by a night of clubbing, he figured he deserved a day off.
Again, Spring Training would come soon enough.
He wasn’t sure what the team workouts would be like, but if they were anything like the ones back in Chicago, he’d only need to hit the gym in the off-season.
It wasn’t a warm morning, so he grabbed an old pair of jeans and a concert T-shirt, then padded down the stairs to the kitchen. He didn’t expect to see Bri at the counter pouring smoothies into glasses. But Scott with his head on the marble countertop, looking slightly green? That tracked.
“Good morning, sunshine,” he called, patting Scott on the back. Taking a seat next to him, he stared at the swampy green slush Bri set in front of him. “And what in the name of Cam Clavilea is this?”
“With all the alcohol you both had last night, I thought you’d need a good detox smoothie.
This has ginger, mango, pears, kale, lime juice, and spinach with a little cashew butter and coconut water.
” At his grimace, she pushed it forward.
“Drink it. If you want chicken and waffles, you need to be ambulatory.”
“If you didn’t notice, darlin,” he drawled, picking up the glass, “I am actually showered and mostly dressed this morning.” He sniffed it, not sure what to expect, then took a small sip. And then another. “This isn’t bad.” Slapping Scott on the back again, “C’mon, dude, drink up. I’m starving.”
Scott sat up slowly, eyes closed and reached for his glass. He exhaled hard, then pounded the smoothie as if his life depended on it. “Thanks, Bri. Angela was mixing the drinks strong last night.”
“It didn’t help that you bought bottle service for the bachelorette party and had them join us.”
Bri’s jaw dropped. “You did not!”
“He did! If I’m not mistaken, you and the maid of honor Lyfted someplace after you brought me back home.”
“I’m glad you guys got a ride.” She patted her brother’s hand. “You’re lucky I caught a Lyft in last night. Your car is in the garage.”
“There’s a reason you’re my favorite sister.”
“Yeah,” she agreed. “I’m your only sister.”
“Still my favorite.” He cracked his neck from side to side before turning to Troy. “So, where would you like to go today? Bri is playing tour guide for us today. I’m just the wallet.”
Troy finished off his smoothie as he thought it over. “Well, I owe her a trip to Bacteria?—”
“Amoeba!”
“Records, and she said something about chicken and waffles. I should probably do a little shopping for the girls, since they’ll be here next week to visit.” He noticed Bri making notes on a little pink pad of paper. “Don’t you use your phone for that?”
“Nah,” she said, “I prefer paper notes. I get a bit of satisfaction being able to cross things out and toss the notes in the trash when I’m done.” Flipping the paper over, she asked, “What else?”
“I don’t know,” Troy answered. “I didn’t get out here very often since Shannon usually brought the kids to Chicago, so I haven’t really gotten to cruise around the city. So, I guess, show me the good spots.”
Scott took Bri’s and Troy’s glasses to the sink to rinse out. “Knowing my sister, she probably has a little list of places in mind. Just tell her what you want to see, and she’ll make it happen.”
“Is that so?”
Bri grinned. “Yeah. I want to show you around our town.”
“Then let’s do it!” He winked at her, drawing a punch in the arm from Scott. “I’m talking about a city tour, dickhead.”
Scott took two ibuprofen and chased it with the last of his smoothie. “Give me a few to get dressed. I have a feeling this is going to be a long day.”
“Hey there, Bri-Bri!” An older gentleman came out from behind the counter and enveloped Bri in a warm hug.
“Bout time you came in! I was getting worried about you.” He held her hand up and twirled her around, “You’re starting to disappear on me, girlie!
” Then taking in the two men standing with her, he went over and shook Scott’s hand.
“Good to see you too, young’en!” Then glancing over, “I see you brought a friend with you.”
“Andre,” Bri started, “This is Troy, Troy, this is Andre, our host for the best waffles in the city.”
Andre shook Troy’s hand. “Good to meet you. I’ve always heard good things about this place, but this is my first time here.”
Andre looked surprised, then immediately grabbed three menus before leading them to a small booth away from the windows.
“Don’t need no looky-loos staring at you while you sample our culinary delights.
” Getting them seated, he motioned for a server, who brought them water and coffee.
He then excused himself, saying he would be back to take care of them for their visit.
Around them, the chatter of the breakfast crowd blended with the music.
“What’s good?” Troy asked.
“Dude,” Scott drawled, “everything is good here. But since it’s your first visit, you gotta go with the classic.”
Bri agreed. “It’s our cheat day today, so definitely go with the number three.”
When Andre returned, Scott went with a number nine (wings, waffles, potato salad, and fries), while Troy ordered a number three (chicken and waffles). Bri ordered a number one, which was just the smaller version of Troys.
The sweet smell of waffles and savory fried chicken made Troy’s mouth water and by the time the food came out, he was ready to inhale his breakfast. Taking the first bite, he felt the crunch of the breading just before the juices from the chicken hit his tongue, causing another explosion for his tastebuds.
“Oh man,” he whimpered as he finished his bite, then paused in taking the second bite as Bri just stared at him, trying not to laugh.
“Dude,” she whispered. “You’re eating it wrong.”
“Huh?”
She reached over and drizzled a bit of syrup over the breaded part of his chicken. “Now try it.”
The sweet and savory combination was heavenly, and before he knew it, he’d finished nearly all of his chicken, but neglected his waffles.
So, he poured a generous amount of syrup over the melting pats of butter and spread it into the indents of his waffles.
Then, cutting a generous piece off, he took a bite.
“Damn…” he breathed between bites. The waffle was crisp and airy, and the butter mixed with the syrup so it wasn’t too sweet, making for the best breakfast he’d had in a long time.
“How’s everything tasting?” Andre asked, refilling their water glasses and dropping off more napkins.
Scott could only nod and mumble, his mouth full of waffle. Troy wasn’t much better, stealing a wing from Scott’s plate. Bri smiled, “Fantastic as usual.”
Andre chuckled patting the men on the shoulder before walking off. Troy finished his chicken before sneaking another bite of waffle from Bri’s plate. “Do you eat here all the time?”
“Are you kidding?” Bri laughed. “I’d be bigger than a house if I did.”