Page 63 of The Playboy's Playbook

Laila chuckles and smiles softly. “Youcut your hair.”

I smile back at her and continue walking closer to her. Clay and Jen have since abandoned us and are running around chasing behind Nola.

It’s just me and Laila.

“I’m sorry about the boys. Nola ran up to them and then they ran off to look for you, even though I told them not to because Nola could have just been lost and with a stranger. Luke’s been working hard at teaching them stranger danger, but then they saw you,” I ramble.

“I’m glad I was, well, me, and not a stranger. I’m sorry about the jump scare. Nola got loose before I could fully close the gate.”

“It’s great to see you, but unexpected. Wha-what are you doing home?” I ask.

“Session got out about two weeks ago. My mom had to leave for another work trip this summer, so Nola and I are back for a while.”

“Auntie Lala, can you come home with us? Uncle Matty is watching us while Daddy is away. You can bring Nola and we can play with her!” Clay says excitedly.

“Oh, Boots, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She runs her hand through Clay’s hair and he immediately deflates.

It’s been so long since we’ve heard her call him by his nickname. I tried to call him that once, but he said it wasn’t the same as Laila calling him that. It was their special thing, so I never said it again.

“But we’ve missed you,” Jen says, hugging Laila’s leg and looking up at her with sad eyes. My heart breaks looking at the way the boys are looking at Laila with sadness.

Our split didn’t just affect Laila and me, it affected the boys, too. They didn’t really understand why Laila wasn’t around anymore. I blamed myself for all the times they’d cry when I told them Laila couldn’t come see them or bring Nola by to play.

Laila sighs sadly and looks over at me. “Matthew?”

“I don’t mind if you and Nola hang out for a while. If you want to, that is,” I concede.

Laila smiles sadly at me and then turns her attention back to the boys. “Just for a little bit. Nola and I can’t stay long.”

Clay and Jen jump up and down and take off to catch Nola so we can leave. I take the opportunity to walk closer to Laila. “You can dip out. I’ll tell them something came up – they’ll understand.”

Laila shakes her head. “I’ve missed them so much and apparently Nola has, too. I’m assuming you walked here because I don’t see your truck.”

I nod. “Yeah, we walked. I can run and get my truck so I can drive the boys back and you can follow me to Luke’s house.”

“Uh, sure. I’ll watch them while you go.”

I nod my head and shout to the boys. “Stay here! I’m going to get my truck!”

The boys shout back something that sounds like “okay.” I look at Laila one more time and she smiles softly at me before walking over to where the boys have finally managed to cage Nola in to catch her.

I turn on my heels and try not to sprint out of the park. During the trek to Luke’s house, I decide to give him a call and let him know that I’m having a guest over. I look at his location and see that he’s at the airport, so I call him before he begins boarding his flight. He picks up on the second ring.

“Did my kids set the house on fire?”

I laugh because we’re traumatized from when Clay and Jen wanted to “experiment” with light bulbs and water. Needless to say, the boys didn’t enjoy finding out what it meant to be grounded.

“No, the boys didn’t set the house on fire.”

“Didyouset my house on fire?” Luke asks, his voice quiet.

“Your house is perfectly intact, Luke. For now…” I trail off.

“What did you do?”

“I was stupid and took the kids to the park,” I say plainly.

“Okay,” he replies nonchalantly.

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