I told Nathaniel as we pulled out of the parking lot and started heading south on 'A' Street. Rhea turned around at my words and tried to look out the back window. “Who?” she asked as I tried to swallow my anger and put on a fake smile. “Just Joel,” I said, trying to lighten the situation. “I bet he's just mad that we beat him tonight. What do you think?” Rhea nodded and stuffed the massive lollipop that she'd won from a claw machine into her mouth. Joking aside, Joel had seemed just the slightest bit ticked off that we'd won. Apparently Jamie had been right: having Nathaniel on The McMaster Lizards had been a double blessing. Not only had my game been better because of him, but he was an awesome bowler. “It's okay,” Nathaniel said, calm as always. “Just relax. It's an intimidation tactic. If there's one thing these … ” He paused as if considering his words carefully. Trying to talk secretively in front of a nine year old is not the easiest thing to do.
