Page 67 of The Playboy's Playbook

Chapter Thirty-Two

LAILA

It’s the day of the reunion picnic and I’m dreading it. I didn’t really care to see my classmates after graduation to be fair –I didn’t care too much about them in school because they all teased me about being a teacher’s pet and called me Little Miss SGA like I didn’t know. I had my friend group and that was enough for me.

Well, until Matthew came into my life. Once I let him in my life, he was enough for me.

Part of my nervousness about today is because I know that I’ll see him again, even though he didn’t get a chance to answer me when I asked him if he was going. After I left Luke’s house, I could barely sleep or focus for the rest of the week.

All I thought about was Matthew.

I wondered if he had a girlfriend and that’s why he was hesitant to have me over. I wondered if he still had an inkling of feelings for me.

I just…I just wonder about him.

I’m pulled from my thoughts when my doorbell sounds and Nola barks from her playpen. I look at the clock and see that she’s almost thirty minutes early. I move to open the door and as soon as I turn the lock, Erica pushes past me without saying a word.

“Hello to you, too,” I say as I close the door.

“You can’t wear that,” Erica says as she marches over to Nola and lets her out of her playpen. Erica picks up Nola and places small kisses over her tiny head as Nola squirms around in Erica’s arms.

“First, I’m trying to teach Nola control and discipline, but you and my mom always rile her up. Keep on and she’ll start living with you. Secondly, what’s wrong with my outfit?”

It’s hot and humid in southern Alabama. I’m not overly dressed for a picnic – I’m in jean shorts and the reunion shirt we purchased, paired with white sneakers. I washed my hair last night and decided to put it in a bun. My makeup is light because again, this Alabama heat is no joke during this time of year.

“You need to put on those biker shorts that make your ass look good so when you see Matthew, he wishes he could kiss it. Plus, you need gold jewelry. Gold jewelry is your superior accessory,” Erica says like it’s a no-brainer.

“I’m not going to this reunion to impress Matthew, E. I’m going because we paid for our plate and t-shirt and I want my money’s worth. Put Nola in her kennel and let’s go.”

I walk back to my room to get my purse, but I stop by my vanity and grab a couple of gold bracelets and rings. Once Nola’s secured in her kennel and has plenty of food and water, Erica and I get into my car and begin the drive to the sports complex where the picnic is being held.

It’s clear that almost the entire class showed up to this picnic. We exit the car and walk to one of the pavilions where a bulk of our classmates are gathered. We scope the area and find a table in the far backside of the shaded area, so we claim it as ours.

Soon, a few of our other friends arrive and join us. We catch up with everyone, sharing hugs and laughs. It’s nice and feels good to be socializing with everyone. In the few years since we’ve been out of school, everyone’s accomplished so much. Some are married with kids and others are just getting a start on their careers.

I excuse myself from the table and go to the coolers to grab another soda. Just when I reach in to grab the last cold bottle of Sprite, another hand reaches in to grab it. I snap my head up and see the one guy I never, ever wanted to see again.

“Hey, Laila. You’ve gotten even more gorgeous and I didn’t think that was possible,” Jason Webb says, a smug smile on his face.

Jason has a punchable face, if I were one to get into violent situations. He looks somewhat better than he did last year, but he’s still a sleaze.

I roll my eyes and turn on my heels, abandoning the Sprite. I’m actually pissed about leaving the soda because I needed the fizziness of the drink to help me get through the rest of this afternoon.

“Fuck off, Jason. Why are you even here? You didn’t graduate with this class.”

“Oh, Laila’s got some bark to her now. I like it.” Jason follows closely behind me as I walk to the other end of the pavilion in search of another drink. “I heard you and Foster were together and then you weren’t. So, if y’all aren’t together, why don’t you go out with me instead?”

Once the words leaves his lips, I turn around so sharp, I almost give myself whiplash. “You’re joking with me, right?”

Jason chuckles and stalks toward me. I step backward until my back hits the post. “No, I’m not joking. You’re gorgeous and if you’re single, I’d like to change that.”

Before I can respond, Jason is knocked down to the ground and a very pissed off Matthew is standing above him. Isaac isn’t too far behind and grabs him by his arms, pulling him away before Jason can react.

“You son of a bitch!” Matthew shouts. Jason bounces back to his feet and shoves Matthew, which causes Isaac’s grip to loosen.

“The fuck, Foster!” Jason shouts back, throwing a heavy punch at Matthew, but he misses. Matthew counters and throws an even heavier punch, connecting with Jason’s nose. Blood begins to gush out of Jason’s newly broken nose, but that doesn’t stop him from tackling Matthew to the grass outside the pavilion.

A group has gathered around to see the commotion. Several of the guys jump in and try to break up the fight. Erica reaches my side, holding my arm as I stand stunned at the brawl in front of me.

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