Page 55 of Play For Keeps

I felt a little guilty as I sat in the chair having my toes painted by one woman while another was painting my fingernails. But I could tell Jake really wanted to do this for me, so I decided to just relax and enjoy the experience. I would find a way to repay him in my own way another day.

I’m learning that Jake is a giver in more ways than one, and he enjoys making the people around him happy. It’s one of the many qualities that I like the most about him. I see it in how kind and gentle he is with Birdie. It makes me happy, but it also kind of scares me.

I could really fall for a guy like Jake. If I’m honest, I’m falling for him already.

My heart was full and happy when he dropped me off at my apartment later, and when he pulled his truck away from the curb, I felt like I was already missing him. But I also couldn’t wait to see Birdie.

I headed straight to my parents’ place to pick her up, and for the rest of the day, Birdie hasn’t left my side. We walked to the beach to throw the Frisbee around, and she danced all the way back home. She helped me cook dinner and then watched her favorite show while I painted her nails to match mine.

And now we’re snuggled up in her bed under her bedspread, my hand stroking her hair as she drifts off to sleep.

Today was the perfect day. The best of both worlds. Time with Jake followed by a perfect day with Birdie. And I find myself thinking that maybe I can have it all.

In this moment, it absolutely feels like I can.

EIGHTEEN

YOU’RE A LUCKY BITCH

Everly

My good mood is ruined by Grant the next morning. It’s like he somehow sensed that I found happiness and needed to find a way to crush it. I woke up to my phone ringing at 6:30 a.m. and when I checked the screen to see who would call me at such a ridiculous hour, I saw Grant’s name and knew I better answer it. If I didn’t answer it then, the calls and the texts would never stop. So, wiping the sleep from my eyes, I sat up and pressed the call answer button. I immediately regretted it.

He was livid, wanting to know why I didn’t tell him that Birdie broke her arm. And when I told him that I left two messages on his voicemail and one with his assistant, it didn’t stop him from losing his mind on me. I wanted to say, maybe if you weren’t so busy fucking random women every night, you’d be aware of what’s going on in your daughter’s life. But I took the high road like I usually do. What would it matter anyway? Nothing I say will ever get through to him. It would just be a waste of breath.

After he finally finished yelling at me—and not once asking how Birdie’s arm is—he wanted to talk about the birthday party his mom is hosting. Apparently, he’s planning on showing up, but I’ll believe that when I see it. I told him I would drop her off at his house on Friday after school and pick her up on Sunday morning. That seemed to work for him. When I asked him if Birdie would be sleeping at his house or his parents’, he brushed me off.

That phone call was several hours ago, but I’m still stressed as I get my things together for work.

“What’s going on Ev, you have a weird smile on your face?” Willa asks. She’s on a Facetime call, my phone propped up on my dresser. “You look like you’re glowing or something. You better not be pregnant.”

There’s no point in denying it. I was going to tell her anyways. I know it’s soon and I’m not sure where it’s headed, but I feel like a giddy schoolgirl again and I have to tell someone. Willa has always been that someone. “Whoa. Not pregnant,” I say, grabbing my phone. “But I met someone.”

Willa screams, tossing her head back. “Stop it! I can’t take it. I need to know everything. Don’t leave a single juicy detail out.”

I smile so hard my cheeks hurt. “His name is Jake. He’s tall, has dark hair, tattoos, and muscles everywhere. You will approve, Wills. He is nothing like my loser ex.”

“You had me at tattoos, tall and muscles. I’m already jealous. What does he do?”

I walk into the bathroom to do my hair, setting the phone against the mirror. “He owns his own contracting company. He renos and builds houses.”

“That’s so hot. He works with his hands. Does he wear a tool belt? Are those a thing anymore? Has he worn one for you in the—”

I laugh, grabbing an elastic off the counter. “I need you to focus, babe,” I say, pulling my hair to the nape of my neck. “There’s something I haven’t told you. You might think it’s weird.”

“Okay, now you’re scaring me. Does he have weird piercings? A third nipple? Oh my God, he’s been to prison. No wait, he’s in prison right now!”

I shake my head and laugh. “None of the above. And you’ve been watching too much TikTok. It’s that he’s younger than me.”

She gives me the biggest who cares look. “Well, that’s not a big deal. Why would that matter?”

“Well, it’s more than a few years.” I pause. “He’s seven years younger than me.”

“Girl, you’ve still got it. Look at you!” She slaps her knee playfully. “That is so hot, Ev. Holy shit, you’re one lucky bitch.”

My mind drifts back to the moment when Jake stood at the edge of the bed taking his shirt off. His hard pecs, his perfectly shaped blush coloured nipples, all that incredible ink. The happy trail leading down to his gorgeous dick.

Willa calls me out. “You are daydreaming about him. Look at you. You’re practically drooling.”

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