Free Wrong About the Guy by Claire LaZebnik

steps that I almost dropped him.
    â€œWhatever you do, don’t mention the kale salad,” I stage-whispered to Aaron as we climbed out of the pool. “That could turn this right around.”

ten
    A fter dumping Jacob into Mom’s arms with an unceremonious “He’s all yours,” I ran into the house to change out of my wet bathing suit and into a striped boatneck top and a pair of oversized sweatpants, which I rolled down at the waist. I released my hair from its elastic and just left it wild on my shoulders. It was still slightly damp, so it was only going to get bigger as the night went on, but I was okay with that; I had long ago made my peace with having hair I couldn’t control.
    I ran downstairs and into the backyard on bare feet.
    The others had already gotten their food and were eating it at the table, so I filled my own plate at the counter, and then George came up from the pool area, dressed, with his hair still dripping in his eyes.
    â€œThis is incredible,” he said, looking at the spread.
    â€œI believe the word you’re looking for is obscene .”
    The adults were gathered at one end of the outdoordining room table, with Jacob on Mom’s lap and Mia on Megan’s. I sat at the far end, next to Aaron. There was an empty place on my other side, and once he’d helped himself to the food, George eyed the table and, after a moment of hesitation, sat there.
    â€œYou kids ready to go back to school?” Luke called down the table.
    â€œShhh,” I said, stabbing my fork into a piece of fish. “I’m in denial. The summer can’t be over—I had such big plans for it.”
    â€œOh, right,” Mom said. “Weren’t you going to start a running program? Train for a 5K?”
    â€œIt’s been too hot.”
    â€œAnd yet we had an unusually cool July,” she said.
    â€œDo you play any team sports, Ellie?” Michael asked. “I want Aaron to go out for something. It’s a great way to meet people and make friends.”
    â€œI played lacrosse,” I said. “Freshman year. And I did a season of softball. Oh, and I was on the swim team for a while last year but they expected us to get there at six every morning and—What’s so funny?” This was to George, who looked way too amused, given the fact I didn’t think I’d said anything particularly witty.
    â€œNothing.” He sawed his knife through his steak in a quick, clean motion.
    â€œI like to try different things,” I said, annoyed.
    Mia suddenly let out a huge wail, making table-long conversation temporarily impossible.
    Aaron stood up abruptly. “I’m going to grab a beer. Anyone else want one?” We both declined. I watched as he went into the kitchen area and got a beer from the outdoor refrigerator. As he was walking by the adults, Crystal looked up and said something to him. He shrugged in response and she touched Michael’s arm and pointed to the beer. Michael gave an identical shrug, and Aaron shot Crystal a triumphant look.
    Megan had walked away from the table so she could shush and bounce the baby, and Aaron dropped into her seat, joining the adult conversation.
    â€œShe hasn’t gotten a chance to eat,” George said in a low voice.
    â€œWho?”
    He was getting to his feet. “Excuse me,” he said, and walked over to Megan, then held out his arms in an offer to take Mia from her. Megan shook her head at first, but he said, “Just for a few minutes, so you can have some dinner.” She still hesitated for another moment or two, but then passed the baby to him. She watched anxiously while he tried to find a comfortable way to hold Mia—he clearly wasn’t any more used to holding babies than toddlers—but he said, “It’s okay. I’ve got this,” and she suddenly flashed a brilliant smile.“Five minutes,” she said. “That’s enough.”