Page 67 of Play For Keeps

Everly and I are in the kitchen when I hear my front door open. Sierra has always had a key to my house, even when she lived in Virginia Beach, but now that I have a girlfriend who tempts me at all hours of the day to fuck her, I’m considering changing the locks.

Everly wipes her hands on a tea towel and smooths out her dress. I mouth, Ready? from across the kitchen, and she nods with a smile before I lace my hand in hers as we walk towards the front door.

“There’s my favorite grandson,” Gran says, squeezing me in a tight embrace. She has her short grey hair curled and she’s wearing her signature bright pink lipstick. Thankfully, with her dementia her memory loss is mild. She’s forgetful, sometimes confused, and will repeat herself from time to time, but overall, she’s the same Gran she’s always been.

“Hi, Gran. Thanks for coming,” I say before giving Sierra a side-hug and Grayson a clap on the shoulder.

“It’s our first family dinner now that we’re brothers,” Grayson smirks. “This is a momentous occasion for us. We should take a selfie or something.”

“I will stab you if you don’t stop with that shit,” I say so that only he can hear me. The fucker just smirks and then he lets out a laugh as we follow Gran and Sierra into the living room. I watch Gran’s eyes widen the moment she sees Everly.

“It’s so nice to meet you. Jake has told me so much about you,” Everly says, embracing my Gran in a hug.

“He has, has he? I hope it has been all good things,” Gran says, raising an eyebrow in my direction. “I can see why you like this one, Jakey. She’s as pretty as a peach.”

“Okay, my turn, Gran. You can’t have her all to yourself,” my sister says with excitement in her voice. “I’m, Sierra, and this is my boyfriend, Grayson.” They both greet my girl with a hug. “We are really happy to meet you.”

“We are,” Grayson echoes. “And don’t believe anything Jake has said about me. He’s a big grump about me dating his sister, but he’ll get over it.”

“I probably won’t.” I say quickly. “I have no idea what she sees in you.”

Sierra shakes her head with a laugh. “These two just like to give each other shit. Never mind them. We are also excited to meet your daughter too. She’s here, right?”

Sierra and Gran look around the room eagerly. I can’t wait for them to meet Birdie. They are going to love her just as much as I do.

“I’m here,” Birdie says, popping her head up from behind the couch, where she’s been busy playing with Lego. “I’m Birdie.” And like the sweet kid she is, Birdie crosses the room and stands next to her mom. Gran’s eyes sparkle. My heart rate picks up at the sight of the woman who raised me with the little girl who has quickly won me over.

“Oh, look at you, sweetheart. You have the prettiest golden curls. How old are you, my love?”

“I’m seven, but only for a few more days. I’m turning eight next week!”

“Well, my goodness. Isn’t that exciting? What are you asking for?”

All eyes in the room are on Birdie as she breathes in a deep breath and begins to ramble off a list: “Well, I’d like a bike, or a doll I can feed or a cat, but my mom says no to the cat.”

I laugh, because she’s never going to give up asking for a cat and I know how Ev feels about having to take care of a pet. Gran runs her hands over Birdie’s blonde curls as my sister eagerly bends down to meet her next.

“I’m Sierra, Jake’s sister, and I’ve been so excited to meet you. I hear you are also a superstar at Mario Kart. I bet you beat him every time.”

Birdie smiles and nods. “Did you know I can even beat him with my arm in a cast?” she says with a giggle. Sierra laughs too. “Good job, Birdie,” she says, raising her hand for a high five. Birdie slaps her hand, and then holds out her other arm, still wrapped in a hot pink cast. “Will you sign this for me, all my friends have signed it.” The two of them disappear into the kitchen to find a marker in my junk drawer.

“Come here, Gran. Let’s have a seat on the sofa,” Grayson says, taking her by the elbow and helping her to the armchair.

“Everly, come sit,” she says. “I want to know all about you.”

Everly’s worries from earlier in the day seem to have disappeared already as she sits on the couch next to Gran looking perfectly at ease. I leave the three of them alone, going into the kitchen to get everyone a drink. My sister is sitting at the kitchen table next to Birdie, who is busy showing off her cast to my sister.

“This girl is tough. She told me how she fell off the monkey bars then had to have it X-rayed. She said she was at the hospital way past her bedtime.”

“She sure was. She was very brave,” I say, watching Sierra find a spot on Birdie’s cast to add her name.

“Do you think your Gran will want to sign it too?” Birdie asks, looking up at me with the Sharpie in her hand.

“I bet you she would. You should ask her.”

“Okay!” she says, skipping out of the kitchen, leaving Sierra and I alone.

“Jake, oh my God!” Sierra says. “She is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

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