Page 59 of Grand Slam

“This will be my first time.” Never had anyone to share it with before. “I’m taking Em and Liz.”

“What’s going on with Jerry and your sister?” he asks as we gather our stuff and start toward the locker room.

“Apparently nothing,” I say with a skeptical look, as Jake glances back at me mirroring my thoughts, one eyebrow cocked, his lips pressed in a tight line. “I’m not convinced either,” I say and he chuckles.

“Well, have fun tonight.” He chuckles slapping me on the shoulder before walking toward his side of the locker room.

I hurry to get showered and grab my bag, before texting Emerson that I’m on my way to meet them.

“Jerry and Liz had an argument,” she says when I find her standing alone, typing on her phone. “Liz stormed off and Jerry chased after her.”

“An argument about what?”

Emerson worries her lip and I refuse to fight with her about this.

“Just tell me this, it’s more than friends isn’t it?”

“For her yes,” she shares and I know it’s bothering her to even tell me that much. “For Jerry I’m not so sure. He’s been pretty open with her about not having time for a relationship from the beginning. But—” Emerson pauses and looks to the floor.

“But Liz is stubborn and thinks she can convince him otherwise.”

“I don’t know all of what’s gone on between them, I think it’s very little. My guess is Alizabeth’s heart is already tangled up in it and she’s having a hard time being wrong.”

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Emerson

Keltonand I end up going to the fireworks alone. Liz decided to go home and when Kelton insisted on driving her she’d told him she’d already arranged for a ride. Our night is nice but there is a constant heaviness looming over our evening too.

Things have been a little unsteady lately.

Kelton is on edge, and for the first time I witnessed him and Liz argue.

She left, choosing to stay in a hotel for the last couple days and when Kelton is home he is quiet. Working out in his home gym, moving around the yard, when there is nothing really for him to do.

But one of the biggest choices he made was to fire Jerry. I don’t know what took place between them. What I do know is Jerry showed up, Kelton stopped him before he even got out of this car. There was a lot of yelling, finger pointing and Kelton pacingalongside his car. Then Kelton pointed to the gate and the words, “Get the fuck off my property,” were spoken.

Yes, I was being a spy. But no one was talking to me. Liz was gone, Kelton may as well have been and Gran, she was hundreds of miles away.

“I’m taking off.” I jump at the sound of his voice as he steps into the living room. I’d been reading a book, or so it appeared. I’d been on the same page for the last hour, so there wasn’t much reading taking place.

“Oh okay.” I turn around looking behind me.

“I told Liz she needed to come home.”

“Told her or asked her?”

“Em,” he starts but I stop him.

“I haven’t said much, I haven’t said anything to be more accurate,” I correct myself, looking him directly in the eyes and waiting for him to interject. He doesn’t so I continue. “Things have gotten out of hand. Your sister is staying in a hotel, you are grumpy and frankly not at all fun to live with.” This is the point he attempts to speak but I don’t stop. “You fired your agent, you’re here but not, and now your leaving for three days. I’m the pregnant one, I should be having the mood swings and cranky behavior but you are the one being dramatic.”

“I told him not to hurt her,” he says as if that is the only explanation for his moods.

“He didn’t, she wanted more he didn’t. Do you want to know why, Kelton? You.” I point at him. “He didn’t want a falling out between the two of them to come become between you and him. Though he cares for her, he can’t promise her what she wantsand the risk was too high. Yet here we are, it all blew up and the two of them weren’t even a couple. I didn’t sign up for this.” His eyes widen. “I didn’t move across several states to live in a house with someone that has barely talked to me in days. Shit isn’t always going to go your way but guess what…you don’t shut down when it doesn’t.”

I stand and he drops his bag next to his feet and takes a step toward me.

“No.” I hold up my hand to stop him. Maybe I’m the one being dramatic now, but I’m pregnant I have an excuse. “Go, and while you’re gone maybe you can iron the crap out in your head and figure out your next step.”

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