Cody's POV- March 2018

My mom had fucked up my relationship with Marisol for me, but I could fix this. It was going to take some time, but I was going to gain her trust. I decided not to be bold and ask her out on a date because I knew she would say no. Yes, that meant I was starting from scratch...as an acquaintance.

"So, friends?"

"Yes," I confirmed.

She smiled.

"Friends get breakfast, right?" I wondered.

"They do"

I nodded and glanced at her.

"Well, you're the one with the busy schedule" I stated.

She laughed as I turned most of my attention back to driving.

"I think I can squeeze you in"

"How's school?" I wondered.

"It's keeping me busy"

Oh, I bet. She was currently in her second year of veterinarian school at Western University.

"Are you busy tomorrow?" I asked.

"I have class"

"All day?" I questioned.

"No, but I don't get back to the area until noon"

"So you still commute" I concluded.

"Yes"

The campus was in Pomona.

"Practice is at 2 PM" I stated.

"Oh, well in that case what are you in the mood for"

"Nothing spicy," I said to her.

She laughed.

"Weenie"

Marisol could eat spicy foods, and I knew this only because she had recommended a Mexican restaurant. I was told the salsa, specifically the red one was good. Chris warned me not to add too much, but I did not listen. My mouth felt like it was on fire, and then it got numb.

"You're up to try something different, right?"

"I don't mind" I admitted.

"Okay, great I'll text you the address"

"You know how to parallel park, right?" I asked her.

"I do"

"Great, cause I'm gonna need you to park" I stated.

She laughed.

"I can do that"

I parked that car and turned on the emergency lights.

"Do you need help?" I wondered.

"No, I got it"

She parked the car like a total pro.

"Who taught you how to drive?" I questioned.

"My dad"

I locked my car and watched as she adjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder.

"Uh, when your dad introduced himself he said he was a sergeant" I mentioned.

She nodded.

"He's a cop"

Well, that's intimidating.

"Specifically, SWAT"

Even more intimidating.

"Uncle Andy won't let him bother you, I promise"

I nodded and followed her inside. Desi was seated next to Chris who was seated next to Desi's dad, who was seated next to Marisol's dad, who was seated across from Desi's brother.

"About time"

I had seen 'Uncle Andy' before during Spring Training, so I knew who he was. He smiled at me and gestured at Marisol's father.

"Ignore him, he gets cranky when he's hungry"

I took a seat next to Marisol, across from Chris.

"It smells amazing" I commented.

We were at a Korean BBQ restaurant.

"Eat up, I'm sure you're starving"

I nodded and took the bowl of sticky rice, Chris was handing to me.

"Thanks," I told him.

It was then that I realized that everyone (except Chris and Marisol) were staring at me. Dinner was great, I took advantage of the fact that it was all you could eat. When it came time to pay, Chris pulled out his credit card. As everyone stood up, Marisol's dad looked at me.

"So how do you know my daughter?"

Marisol actually answered for me,

"We met at Starbucks last summer"

He visibly tensed up a bit.

"During your coffee runs?"

She nodded.

"Well that explains why you were always late"

I looked away as I heard someone clear their throat.

"Cody, meet my Uncle Andrew and cousin Leo"

After I shook their hands, Desi squeezed my shoulder as we made our way out. As we (Chris and I) made our way to my car, he glanced at me.

"Did you talk to your mom?"

I nodded.

"Yeah" I replied.

"Well, what did you tell her?"

He rolled his eyes as I handed him the keys to my car. Once we were inside the car, he cleared his throat.

"Go on"

"Marisol brought it up, and mom paled as soon as she realized what was going on" I stated.

"But what did you tell your mom?"

"I told her that Zoey and I were not going to get back together. If she wants to voice her opinion then she doesn't need to visit" I replied.

"Took you long enough to grow a pair"

Gee, thanks Chris...he was right though.