The Road To Glory

The Green-Eyed Monster

Sitting in Tucker's garage was something of a post-game tradition. We'd go after wins, we'd go after losses and just have a couple beers. If we won a close game, occasionally we blew the garage off to hit up a party, but since neither of us were especially single we figured it was the smartest thing to do to just hang out in his garage, beers in hand. 

It wasn't exactly Disneyland, but it had a TV so we were basically set. Adrianne liked it too, but Isobel absolutely hated it. She'd never admitted it, but I could see it in her eyes every time I told her that's where I was going. She liked being social, going out and making friends. I enjoyed that, too but if it was between that and just hanging out with my best friend, watching TV...

I'd take the night in every time.

That night, it was just the four of us sitting there with whatever passes for late-night TV on. Adrianne, Tucker and I were nursing beers, and Isobel, still somewhat quiet and as she sat in my lap staring at the TV, not drinking anything. She was still upset I hadn't wanted to go to some party her friend was throwing. 

"Life is good tonight, Smith." Tucker informed me in his best baritone "We won, and now we have beer, late night TV and some very lovely ladies with us. What more could a man want in life?"

"Smith?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Y'know, Steve Smith. That guy you have a picture of taped to the back of your football locker?" Tucker answered "I kinda thought it made a pretty sick nickname."

I contemplated it for a moment. 

"I love it." I replied, with a grin before finishing in a mock-baritone of my own "Tonight IS a good night, Delhomme."

"Delhomme?" Tucker replied, turning to look at me "Hell no. Not happening."

"Testaverde?" I offered, with a grin.

"Why do you hurt me, Weathers? Why do you say hurtful things like that?"

"Well I'd name you after a Cardinals Quarterback but I'd have to go back like five decades to find a good one."

Tuck looked at Adrianne, and shook his head. "Honey," he asked her "Why does Weathers hurt me when I show him nothing but love?"

"Because we all hurt the ones we love most at some point" Adrianne replied with an innocent smile "and you two boys put the 'romance' right back into 'bromance'."

"It's cute!" Isobel chimed in with a smile "They're so close. I wish I had a bestie like that."

I tried to hide the groan I almost let out when she let her gaze rest on Adrianne. Judging just by the look on the the taller girl's face, I could tell Adrianne wasn't too keen on the idea of the two of them being best friends. 

"Don't you have retainers for that?" She asked finally, not actually looking at Isobel. 

"I haven't had a retainer since I was thirteen" Isobel replied with a smile "Would you prefer if I did?"

"I would prefer if you..."

"Don't worry about it, Ade." I cut in, louder then I really needed to "I'd be HAPPY to get you a refill on your beer. Just sit tight, Izzy."

I got up, walked across the room, and took another beer out of the fridge.

"I have plenty left in the can, Weathers" Adrianne answered, annoyed "I was saying I would prefer if she cut the crap."

I put the beer back in the fridge, and turned to look at Isobel. She looked somewhat shaken. 

"Pardon me?" Isobel asked, finally "I don't think I understand..."