“Let’s play seven questions. You ask me any seven questions you want, and I’ll do the same.”

Pulling a Joel Moreno move. It worked for us, maybe it’ll help with Victor – minus the kissing and fondling. There is absolutely zero chemistry between Victor and me now. He’s still attractive, blonde hair and blue eyes with long, dark lashes women would kill for. But he’s not really my type. Back then I didn’t realize I had a type. Victor had been nice and comfortable.

“Alright. Yeah, that’s a good idea.”

We stare at each other for a minute, neither making a move to go first.

“I’m gonna get some alcohol for this. You like beer?”

“Beer’s good.”

Victor disappears up the stairs and I pull a squirming Christian into my lap. “How’s the team doing?”

“Good.” He grins ear to ear. “Maybe if they win, we can have pizza with Joel again?”

He looks so into the idea I can’t bring myself to do anything but nod as he jumps off my lap to stand in front of the TV.

“Alright,” Victor says, coming down the stairs with four beers, two in each hand. “Ready?”

We settle onto the old leather couch, facing each other. Me leaning back against the armrest and Victor on the other side foot propped over a knee.

“Favorite food?” I ask and take a sip of the Bud Light.

“Pizza.”

“Christian’s too.”

He glances to our son and smiles. “Yours?”

“Cheeseburgers. Favorite band?”

“Tupac forever.” He flashes a W with his left hand in the west side symbol and I laugh. I hadn’t pegged him for an old school rap guy.

We fire questions back and forth, neither of us counting and only stopping occasionally to track the game. Valley is leading and Joel looks good. No, he looks great. Christian bounces between standing a foot in front of the TV cheering and bouncing on the couch between us.

“I’ve got a question,” Victor says, pulling my attention from the TV. “What’s going on with you and the basketball guy?” He points toward the TV.

“Oh. Nothing.”

"Come on, we're sharing."

"He was helping me with my play, and we went on a few dates. That’s it. We’re just at different places. He’s not looking for a relationship, and I am. It was stupid to get involved." I shrug. “What about you? Are you dating?”

He shakes his head. “No. I mean a little at school, but nothing serious.”

We fall into a comfortable silence, staring at the TV even though it’s halftime and there isn’t really anything to see. Valley is up by ten and the announcers seem pretty confident that they can win as long as they don’t lose their minds in the second half.

The camera zooms in on Joel and Z walking back onto the court.

“I think you’re wrong about him,” Victor says. “Guy all but told me I needed to step up. He wouldn’t do that if he didn’t have a vested interest.”