Page 78 of Undeniably Perfect

“Stop flirting with the ladies and get us home. I have a nail appointment at nine tomorrow,” Gran Millie says to him.

B-Ray holds up a giant foam finger. “Follow me, my little loves. Let’s get you home.”

I turn to Di. “Another character, huh?”

Di giggles and shrugs. “What can I say? We collect them.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Istare out the window as Mr. Moore drives us all to the away games. I promised Kent that I wouldn’t miss them for the world. Now, all the Moores, other than Kent, and I are heading to Cleveland. A second van with all the grandparents, Nate, and B-Ray follow behind us.

I haven’t seen much of Kent this week, not that I expected to since he’s a tinge busy. And I’ve been spending every waking second that I’m not at a game or with the Moores, trying to put the finishing touches on things for the gala that’s in two weeks.

All the phones ping at the same time, and I look down. I laugh when I read the text. I have been added to the official World Series extended-family group chat.

Tilly: Can we stop at that wings place? PopPop wants wings

Mr. Moore groans as Mrs. Moore reads the text out loud.

“No! I just want to get there. We can stop on the way home.”

“OK, dear.”

C-Dog: Dad’s being a party pooper. The answer is NO.

“Clark!” both Moore parents yell as he announces he’s already responded.

“What? I know Dad, why beat around the bush?”

“He has a point,” Kylie says from next to me.

“Are we almost there? I need to pee,” Lanie asks.

“Oh, I can pull over here,” Mr. Moore says as he signals to turn off into a service center.

“Sure, you let us pee but no wings,” Clark mutters as he pulls out an earbud.

“Can everyone just not be cranky? We need positive mojo,” Di says.

Everyone grumbles in response. I’m pretty sure everyone is exhausted. It’s been a long week. And with the series tied up, the tension is high.

It’s only eleven in the morning and the game isn’t until seven tonight.

My phone rings as we pile out of the car. I look down and see Kent’s photo and smile.

“Hey there, champ.”

“Don’t say that yet, you’ll jinx us.”

I laugh. “OK, what’s up?”

“I just wanted to hear your voice before things get crazy here.”

“Oh, do you want to say hi to everyone,” I ask, looking around at all the Moores. Everyone is clustered into little groups, chatting about different things as Lanie beelines to the bathroom.

“No, just you.”

I smile. “OK.” I walk away from the group. “You ready?”

---