Page 45 of Grand Slam

Emerson

“Have you heard anything?”

I shake my head staring ahead at my reflection in the mirror. Alizabeth and I decided to give ourselves a spa day. We both had facials, pedi and mani’s, and now a trim. Honestly having someone play with my hair always puts me to sleep.

But lately almost anything makes me sleepy.

I haven’t been sleeping the greatest since I went and had bloodwork done at the doctor. The waiting was driving me out of my mind, constantly racing, and my stomach was a mess.

“They’ll call.” Liz reaches out and squeezes my hand reassuringly. “But no matter which way it goes, you know that everything is going to be okay, right?”

I didn’t but nod and offer her a smile anyway.

One of my biggest downfalls, I hated more than anything when people were talking about me or making assumptions. God I hated those too.

“Well hello, ladies.” I can practically feel the heat rolling off of Liz, the moment Libby pauses only a few feet away from us. She’s a thorn in Liz’s side and always has been. Always trying to outdo her, and the problems she’s caused for Kelton, those set Liz on fire.

“Out for a little tune-up I see.” She waves her hand in the direction of our heads. “You should both consider a little coloring to brighten things up. Keep things interesting.” She shrugs. “Never neglect yourselves ladies,” she adds with a smirk. “Once you stop caring about your appearance, things go downhill from there.”

“I can tell,” Liz gives it right back and I instantly know I’m going to be forced to referee at some point. “Looks like yours are already slipping Libs, and fast. A girl your age shouldn’t already be sagging and looking so burned out.”

Libby’s eyes narrow.

“It’s got to be all those chemical peels, bad surgeries, and cheap hair products. Honey you are looking road hard and put away wet. It’s a shame, really.”

“How’s that handsome brother of yours doing?” Libby asks with a forced smile. “I’ve thought about catching a game and reconnecting.”

“Pretty sure we both know that if you were anywhere near the field he was playing, he’d have you removed. He can do that ya know? He’s sort of big time.”

“Oh I know he’s big.” She wags her brows suggesting she actually knows which is a joke.

“I think we both know Libby that nothing has or will happen between the two of you. He’s spoken for, and in a huge way.”

“There will be a day when he’s done fooling around and is ready to build something with someone.”

“Oh he has, he is, but that someone isn’t and will never be you.” My God it was like a boxing match with oven mitts. My head is spinning. “Isn’t that right, Em?”

And there it is, the shove that I know will push Libby over the edge and spiral out of control.

“You?” she says with a sarcastic laugh. “You’ve got to be joking, why would he ever settle with you?” Again she laughs, crossing her arms over her chest. “He has better taste than that.”

“You might want to retract that statement and back the hell up before Sarah here,” Liz points over her shoulder at the stylist behind her, “give me her shears and I go Edward Scissorhands on your ass. You should know though I am terrible with scissors, so I can guarantee bloodshed and loss of sight.”

“You’re insane.” Libby takes a step back.

“Bitch you have no idea.” I want to laugh, for the first time in days I feel like I could lose it and give in completely to the crazy. Liz is glaring at Libby. Libby by the look on her face that crosses between fear and humor is unable to determine if Liz is being honest, it is almost too much. Then throw Sara the hairdresser in the mix, with her hip cocked to the side, her hand resting there while holding her shears in her other hand for added flare. I’m teetering and about to topple over.

“You are a nutcase,” Libby finally says while backing away. She rounds the corner, going back to her stylist and I am done. I’m hunched over, tears rolling down my face. I’m talking laughing to the point of almost peeing my pants.

“You went all slasher on her,” I say much too loud, but I can’t seem to stop it.

“Edward isn’t all slasher, he has a gentle soul.”

“Gentle is not hinting around at stabbing someone in the eyes.” I am wheezing, barely able to catch my breath. Sara is in complete agreement.

“Girl, I wasn’t even the one being threatened and I feared you.” She laughs, getting back to work on Liz’s hair.

“Not me,” Armando who is currently combing his fingers through my hair says. “You aren’t even my type honey and you got me all tangled up inside. I think it’s the first time in my entire life I’ve ever wanted to test drive a vagina.”

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