Page 8 of Delay of Game

I laugh and shake my head. Their mom does seem like a handful at times, but she’s a sweet woman.

“Besides, Tangela told me she plans on taking a trip over to their side of the state a few weeks after the baby is born.”

“Smart,” I say, turning my body to face Jordan. He peeks at me from the corner of his eye and his smile hikes up. “What?” I ask, giggling.

“You’re going to be the best aunt. Always thoughtful, always considerate.”

I can feel the blush taking over my face and I look down, fiddling with my sweatshirt. “Thanks, J.”

We spendfive hours in the waiting room, our butts numb and glued to the chairs, and just when I’m about to get up and find some coffee and breakfast, Michael comes out.

His hands are shaking and there are tears in his eyes, and for a second I panic that something bad happened. But no, he’s smiling like an idiot, clapping his hands to get everyone’s attention. I quickly sit up and walk up to him, and he puts his arm around me, tucking me into his chest. “She’s perfect,” he whispers, and my eyes widen.

They didn’t want to know the sex of the baby ahead of birth so this is a surprise to all of us. I hug him back and hear him say to the rest of the family, “Tangela is doing great, and our daughter is here. We’re naming her Katie.” Mom and I startcrying once we realize they’re naming her after our grandma Katherine. My dad, Robbie, and Jordan join the group hug too, and we all take a moment to congratulate my brother.

“Thank you for being here, everyone.”

“When can we see them?” I ask, and everyone laughs. I’m not sure what’s so funny, but whatever.

Michael shakes his head at me, and I deflate. “Not right now. We’ll get them discharged first and you can come by later when we get home, okay?”

“Fiiine,” I whine, letting him get back to his wife and daughter.

On the bright side, I can go back to sleep now. As my parents and Robbie take off, I hang back and turn to Jordan.

“Let’s get you home,” I say. I don’t know what I expect to see on Jordan’s face, maybe the same excitement that’s showing on mine, but Jordan isn’t looking at me. There’s a slight grimace on his face as he looks behind me.

My head turns to look over my shoulder in the direction he’s staring and I see a beautiful, curvy blond woman wearing a full face of makeup and a black pantsuit. She’s stunning, and she’s walking right towards us. My brain doesn’t comprehend what it’s seeing as she smiles and steps into Jordan’s arms, one hand cupping his neck as she kisses him.

And not just a hello peck, but a full on makeout kind of kiss.

My eyes might be bulging out of my head as I stare at them and there’s a deeply uncomfortable feeling in my stomach.I think I might throw up.

Jordan has a girlfriend? Why the hell didn’t he tell me?

I feel more betrayed than heartbroken, because how dare he? We’ve been chatting for the last five hours, talking about our hopes and dreams, families, careers, and failures. And he couldn’t even mention that he’s dating supermodel business Barbie over here?

I swallow the tight knot in my throat and walk away from their public display of affection. I don’t turn back when he calls after me. I just say, “Looks like you have a ride home. See ya!” as brightly as I can muster.

Jordan has his girlfriend to keep him company now.

He doesn’t need me.

CHAPTER 3

Six Years Ago

Jordan

The arcade machinemakes a mocking sound that I take very personally as I lose yet another game against Alice.

Smirking, she flips her long hair over one shoulder and leans in, one hand on her hip, the other extended in front of me, palm facing up. “Pay up, buddy,” she says, blue eyes sparkling.

I take a step closer and look down at her, reveling in the way she has to tilt her head up to keep her eyes on mine. I place my hand in hers, palms touching, before pulling her in and twisting her around. She leans into my chest and I lift her up by her middle, my free hand skimming the sliver of skin showing at her waist. Her feet kick up and she honest-to-god giggles, making my insides flutter.

Being around her has started to become a problem because she’s everywhere; she comes to all the Manticore games, she babysits my niece, she hangs out with me and Robbie after games.

At first it was a little awkward, and she seemed to keep her distance from me, especially when Jess was around. But after my ex broke up with me, I noticed Alice started hanging out around me more again. And no matter how hard I try, I can’t stay away from her.I don’t want to stay away from her.

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