Chapter 145: Paintball Game Scheduled
"GO! Michael! GO! GO!"
Michael pushed the defender ahead, seemingly no slower than the running back behind him! Like a battering ram, he tore a hole through the opposing defense.
"Touchdown!" the referee dutifully raised his arms, and the entire stadium cheered. Luckily, this was an outdoor stadium, or the roof would have been blown off by the cheers.
But the amazing thing was, Michael pushed his opponent through the end zone without stopping, driving him straight ahead until he cleared the fence and tossed the cocky guy right off the field.
"Whoa!" Ron gasped. This guy was really starting to understand his role on the field.
"See? Number 74, the guy who threw your son out like garbage?" Aunt Leigh Anne turned around triumphantly. "That's my son!"
She was totally showing off, absolutely bragging, but it was so satisfying that Penny even turned and made a face at the redneck family.
Ron hadn't noticed for a moment, but Penny had actually become friends with Aunt Leigh Anne.
Ron wasn't particularly surprised, though. Although they had different educational backgrounds and social statuses, they shared a similarly fiery temper, making it no surprise they'd bonded.
Leigh Anne, her guard down around Penny, passed SJ into her arms and squeezed in next to Mr. Turner. She casually pinched Mr. Turner's thigh with her fingers, then gave him a look that prompted Mr. Turner to call out, "Ron."
"Yeah?" Ron turned and looked at Mr. Turner.
Reluctantly, but intimidated by his wife's threat, Mr. Turner said, "After the game, you can take Jessica out for a while. Just get her home before 11 o'clock."
Before 11 o'clock? Are you kidding?
Ron checked his watch. It was already past 9 o'clock, and the game wouldn't end for at least another hour. It would be at least 10:30 by then. Which meant Jessica would have maybe thirty minutes with him?
Mr. Turner, are you sure you really want me to date your daughter? If you're being coerced, just blink.
Mr. Turner, of course, didn't blink, as his wife pinched him again, making him suck in a sharp breath. Leigh Anne took over the conversation. "Or if it's too late today, you could go out together tomorrow. It's the weekend."
Mr. Turner wanted to say something, but Leigh Anne stepped on his foot, stopping him from speaking. Ron's eye twitched.
He'd never marry such a controlling wife!
"Yeah, it's the weekend, we should have some fun, right, Howard?" Leigh Anne moved from her seat, allowing Ron and Howard to sit next to each other, giving Ron a chance to nudge him with his elbow.
"Ow!" Howard rubbed his ribs. Ron's elbow had poked him in the exact same spot Leigh Anne had just pinched him! "Can you family stop ganging up on me?"
Howard deserved it, though. He'd hit on Leigh Anne in six languages the moment they met. If it weren't for Ron's intervention, Leigh Anne would have broken his ribs.
"Actually, we do have an activity tomorrow. We're going to play paintball, which is a relatively safe combat simulation game. Although it's safe, it still stings when the paintballs hit you."
"Wow!" Penny turned to look at Leonard: "I didn't expect you guys would play this kind of game. It sounds awesome. Can I join?"
Her face was facing Leonard, but her eyes were looking at Ron. This woman was simply incredible. However, how could Leonard refuse his goddess' request? He agreed enthusiastically, practically bouncing with joy.
"Yes, of course no problem! I mean, it would be great to have you there!"
"You'll look after Jessica, right?" Like any father worried about his daughter, Mr. Turner placed his hand on Ron's arm and gave it a firm squeeze.
"Of course." What was a paintball game? Ron was confident he could protect Jessica even in an actual combat zone.
Raj quickly leaned over to whisper in Howard's ear, but Howard pushed the Indian away.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Come on, buddy, it hurts when your spit flies into my ears. I get it," Howard said, scratching his ear. "Let me count. You, me, Leonard, Sheldon, Ron, Penny, and this beautiful lady's daughter—exactly seven people."
"We can form our own squad and join the free-for-all tomorrow!"
But Mr. Turner wasn't focused on that. He pointed at Howard and Raj: "Are you two a couple?"
"No! Absolutely not!" Howard quickly defended himself, but given his performance, no one at the scene believed him.
"Look, the Indian guy next to me might be questioning his sexuality, but I'm definitely straight." Raj tried to get close to Howard's ear again, but Howard shoved him away with a cold shoulder. "Why don't you just tell them? It's your behavior that's giving them the wrong impression!"
"It's okay, we understand." Ron gave them a teasing smile. "But remember, the more you deny it, the more you'll hurt your partner's feelings."
Ron knew they weren't gay, but others didn't. He messed with them a bit, just to vent his frustration about Aunt Leigh Anne's matchmaking. She was the one pushing everyone together, regardless of the situation.
The two supposed lovebirds were stunned. Even the game couldn't hold their attention. Oh wait, they had no interest in football anyway.
"What time does it start?"
"It begins at 9:00 AM, with an hour break for lunch at noon, and ends at 4:00 PM." With both Howard and Raj speechless, Leonard was left to answer Ron's question.
"No problem. I'll pick up Jessica at eight o'clock then." After getting Mr. Turner's reluctant nod of approval, Ron turned back to Leonard.
"Are you sure Sheldon's going to play? I can't wait to put a few paintballs in his head. This is such a great opportunity. Before, I could only shoot Sheldon in my video games."
"And be careful not to laugh out loud while playing, or Mom will definitely find out."
"Ron," Leonard explained helplessly, "Sheldon's on our team!"
"Really?" Ron grinned mischievously. "Anyone here who wants to shoot Sheldon, raise your hands."
Suddenly, seven hands rose into the air. Not only did Leonard raise his own hand, but even the youngest, SJ, raised his little hand, demonstrating just how annoying Sheldon really was.
"Mom, can I come with Ron and Jessica tomorrow? I promise I'll be good," SJ pleaded.
"No, absolutely not," Leigh Anne firmly refused.
Your sister's on a date, why would you want to tag along?
(End of chapter)
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