Page 64 of Undeniably Perfect

With a sigh of relief, Di presses the end call button and we all pile out of the bathroom, past an older lady who gives us a surprised look.

“Well, I never,” she says.

“Her fly was stuck,” Clark says with a shrug as we all walk out of the pharmacy. Di bursts out laughing and suddenly we are all in hysterics as we make it to the sidewalk and Kylie.

“What in the hell is so funny?” she asks.

We all look at each other and break into another round of laughter. A moment later, she joins us. A few people stare and we all cry with laughter as the cop car carrying Jarrod pulls away.

“Why are we laughing?” Di finally says as she wipes tears away.

“Because we are in shock,” I say to her. My phone buzzes.

It’s Eric, who I just unblocked.

“Hey, the police have him. Are you OK?”

“Yeah, I’m fine now. I hope he gets the help he needs.”

“I do too. I’m sorry that happened.”

“I’m just glad I figured it out before something bad occurred.”

“Please don’t block me anymore, Tabs. I miss you.”

“Eric…I just think I need some time to process everything. I can’t promise that I’ll unblock you. I need a lot more time and distance from everything. But maybe…someday, we can talk again.”

He huffs. “You always did drive a hard bargain. Damn, I’ve been a real asshole. I understand if you can’t forgive me.”

Images of happier times with Eric flash through my head. “Eric, I hope you get the help you need, and I hope Jarrod does, too.”

“Thanks, Tabs. I just want you to be happy. I still think we are meant to be though.”

“Bye, Eric,” I say, and I hang up and re-block his number. He’s still too fixated on me, and I don’t think contact with him is good at this point, maybe things will change…someday.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Kent

Ray signals me a fastball, and I nod. I close my eyes. I’m about to shut this team down. I’ve managed to strike everyone out so far, and our team has had four runs to put us solidly in the lead. If I can get this guy out, we win.

I release the ball and watch as it flies toward home plate. The whoosh sound it makes as Ray catches it is music to my ears.

The team celebrates the win and my stellar performance, but all I know is I need to get to Tabitha. I kept eyeing Jacob during the whole game. He would shake his head. He’s sitting in Tabitha’s seat at my request, giving up his spot to another ball boy. I’ll pay him back for that later. As I look up for the millionth time, he gives me a grin and a thumbs-up, and I sigh with relief.

An hour later, I push my way through the crowd, trying to be a good person to allow selfies and signing things as I go. I finally get to a clearing and I see my entire family, including Tabby. I run to them and pick her up, spinning her in my arms. She holds on to me tightly.

“Are you OK? What happened?”

“Did you not check your phone?” she whispers in my ear.

I shake my head.

“We need drinks,” C-Dog announces.

My sisters slap him. “Clark, you aren’t twenty-one, you asshat,” Kylie says.

“Let’s go home, and we can eat and debrief,” my father says.

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