"Fucking-A. Can't believe the man won the game. The man fucking won it." It was Corey.
"Hey, kids in the room," she said, trying to get him to tone it down. He sounded a little buzzed, so she wasn't sure it was going to happen. "Yeah, we watched. He was amazing."
"Sorry," Corey said, like a school boy being chastised. "Well, I totally stole his phone and called you. He's been all mooning over you all night."
Before Mandy could say anything she could hear Kip. "Give me the fucking phone man."
"Hey there are kids in the room," Corey said, mocking her.
"Corey, I swear I am bigger than you." And then he was talking to her. "Hey babe."
Mandy felt instant relief and joy course through her body. "Hi Kip. Congrats." She'd already talked to him since the win, but she had to say it again. They were going to the finals.
"You already said that." She heard some cheering behind her. "Some of the guys were celebrating."
"I miss you." Colton was tugging on her arm. "Hold on, Cole and Mark want to say hi." She held the phone out. "Quick, this is pricey."
"Hi Kip," they yelled.
She pressed the phone back against her ear. "I better let you go. I'll see you when you get here. Wake me up."
"I won't, but thanks for the thought. I miss you too. I'll see you in the morning." She made a smooching sound into the phone. Colton and Mark made barfing sounds.
"I love you."
"Love you too." He ended the phone call there, to the sound of ooohs from behind. Fucking Corey. She wished she could meet them at the airport, drive home with him. He'd been bugging her to come on a trip with her, but the dates hadn't worked out yet. Maybe in the future, she thought.
She turned to the boys. "You are supposed to be sleeping."
"Aww, Mom. We just wanted to talk to Kip," Colton said. Mark nodded.
"I know. But we have lots of stuff to do and you cannot go on the trip if you are tired. So go to bed."
"Let's go," Mark said, his eyes wide.
"I wish we were going to Calaway," Colton said, moving towards the door.
"I know. I do too. But, the guys are too tired for that stuff tomorrow. This summer," she emphasised.