Page 60 of Grand Slam

“Emerson,” he hollers out as I walk off toward the bedroom and shut the door behind me. Calling Gran I ask that she reach out to both her grandkids, because they’ve both seemed to have lost their damn minds and I’m trapped in the middle.

I don’t know how long it’s been but I dozed off waking to a couple texted messages.

Liz: Calling my gran on me was a dick move. But effective, I’ll be home tomorrow. I’m sorry!

Kelton: Just got my ass reamed by a seventy five year old, I feel like I’m ten again. Sorry I’ve been an jerk, I will make it up to you when I get back. Called Liz, she’ll be home tomorrow, and I’ll work it out with her too.

I smile, knowing that yes calling Gran may seem childish but the woman can fix a problem, I swear she is a genius. That or everyone is too afraid to go against what she says so everythingmagically realigned within minutes when she is involved. Whatever it is, I’m not sorry I called her in to fix it.

“Where are you going?”I ask as Liz grabs her purse and starts walking toward the door.

“He’s been gone for three days, Em. Prior to that he was being an ass, again sorry for that.”

“Apology accepted,” I offer her a smile.

“I figure I’d go do a little shopping, treat myself a bit, maybe get some dinner, listen to a few bands.” She shrugs. “Giving you two some alone time so he can make up for being a cranky bastard.”

“You don’t have to leave,” I tell her filling my glass with ice water and grabbing my bowl of fruit. “I’m just going to go sit out by the pool, under an umbrella and read a book. Have a little snack, and enjoy the breeze that’s blowing in.”

“And when he comes home and sees you wearing that,” Liz points to me and wags her brows, “I’m sure the fact that you two are alone will be appreciated.”

“I look like I have a beer gut.”

“Stop it, you look beautiful.” Reaching for the handle she offers me a little wave. “I will be back in a few hours. Enjoy your makeup time.”

“We aren’t arguing.” We just haven’t talked a whole lot since he left.

“There is tension, even I can sense it.” I don’t attempt to argue with her. “Bang it out.” Liz winks and then slips out the door. Making my way to the patio, I hit the button to slide open the doors and then step outside. Instantly enjoying the breeze, I get myself comfortable, open my book and find the spot I’d left off on.

It doesn’t take me long to become completely submerged in the story.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Kelton

“I do care for Alizabeth,”Jerry offers as I sit in my driveway with his voice filtering in through the Bluetooth speaker. “Too much, more than I thought I would. But that isn’t enough Kelton, not when I can’t make promises she needs me to make. I said from the start that I’m your agent, yes, but I also consider you a friend, and I can’t risk either of those things.”

“Liz can be stubborn,” I tell Jerry and he chuckles.

“That is the understatement of the year.”

“Where are you now?” he asks.

“In my driveway, trying to figure out how to walk in there and make it up to Em for being an ass.”

“I’m sure it’ll work out. Emerson is a sweetheart, she doesn’t seem like the kind to hold grudges.”

We say our goodbyes and I grab my bag, nervous energy coursing through me as I walk inside. Met with silence I dropmy bag and keys, ready to go look around when I feel the breeze coming in from the back patio.

Smiling I figure I will find them both outside near the pool.

No music, no laughter, everything is so quiet I assume they must have fallen asleep. As I make my way to the back side of the house, the cool evening breeze rolls over me.

I find Emerson there, alone, on a lounger, wearing a cropped T-shirt and short shorts. A book open in front of her, she seems fully engrossed in it. One leg propped up, her fingers twirl a single strand of hair that has fallen near the left side of her face.

Instead of announcing my arrival, I stay where I am leaning against the doorframe, watching her. She looks so at peace that I wonder if I should even bother her after the last week of shit she’s put up with.

Liz and I don’t fight, I think that’s why my mood was complete shit. But I was stuck in the middle of her and Jerry and that was also a place I didn’t want to be.

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