Page 39 of Undeniably Perfect

“It is. I mean, there are days that I want to kill him, but I wouldn’t give him up for the world.” She glances over at Amery and practically swoons.

I laugh. “So, how does everyone know each other, again?” I ask, looking around the giant pool-sized hot tub.

“Well, Nate’s my best friend. I met Amery on a plane and then Ward and Nate met through us and I met Kent through Amery and Ward.”

“That’s nice…I mean it’s nice to have a group of close friends. Do you all live out here?”

She nods. “Amery and I live close by as does Ward. I think when the Moores adopted them both into their clan, it drew them to buy properties out here. All three of them like getting away from the city, especially in the off-season.”

“Do they both have apartments downtown?”

“Yep. All in the same building.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I get down there sometimes. I mean the next few weeks, I’ll probably be down there full time because if they make playoffs, then Amery will want to stay near the stadium. Hey, we should meet up, I mean…are you staying out here?”

I shrug. “I…I don’t exactly have it planned out that far yet. My landlord said another unit should be available soon and my brother also has a place in the city. Kent’s offered up both of his places, but…I don’t know. I mean, I just cleaned some of my clothes today, so I haven’t figured it all out quite yet.”

Lyla places a hand on my arm. “I’m sorry about the fire. That sucks.”

I sigh. “It does. I’m still waiting for the fire department’s report. One of the guys thought it might be arson, which is just crazy.” My mind briefly goes to my crazy ex-boyfriend, but I dismiss it. He’s crazy, but I don’t see him starting fires like that.

“Well, if you need anything or just want a friend, I’ll make sure to get you my number before we leave tonight.”

“I’d like that.”

Lyla is cool and easy to talk to. I don’t have too many friends, mostly thanks to my abusive ex-boyfriend. I thank god that Brix talked me into leaving him after he slapped me one night. Who knows what would have happened next?

“You OK?” Lyla’s voice brings me out of my thoughts.

I smile and nod. “Yep. Just a lot on my mind.”

“I bet. So, do you like baseball?”

I bite my lip, and Lyla bursts out laughing. “Really?”

I shrug. “I don’t know much about it. The Moores just started teaching me. It’s fun so far.”

“I love baseball. I’ll be at all the playoff games when they make it.”

“If we make it,” Ward interjects.

We look over at him.

“When,” Lyla says confidently.

Kent punches Ward’s arm. “Come on, man. Head in the game. We ‘are’ gonna do this.”

Everyone in the group gets quiet and stares at Kent with various levels of shock. I raise an eyebrow.

Amery claps. “That’s more motherfucking like it!”

“Fuck yeah!” Ward agrees with a grin.

I have no idea what is going on, but I grin at Lyla. She leans and whispers, “I think you’re a good influence on our boy, here. He needed a little mojo, and it seems like he’s starting to get it back.”

I still have no idea what she’s talking about, but I feel like there’s a much bigger story there and probably one best told to me by Kent.

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