Page 9 of The Playboy's Playbook

Other than Brody himself, the one thing that brings this place to life is the live band. Sometimes it’s a local band, but every now and then visiting bands will stop by according to the social media posts.

Erica and I finally settle at a spot at the bar and continue in casual conversation, catching up on what’s been going on in each other’s lives since our last conversation. As I’m explaining Nola’s latest favorite spot to use the bathroom, I hear a familiar laugh that warms my heart.

“I’ll be back,” I announce, sliding off the barstool and making my way to the pool table where a group of my high school classmates are engrossed in a game. I wave to a few of them while I scan the area for the sound of that laugh when a deep voice calls from behind me.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t my sweet little cousin. The one, the only, the infamous future Senator of the United States representing the great state of Alabama, Laila Wright,” my older cousin, Isaac says as he walks up to me.

“Isaac May in the flesh. I don’t believe it,” I say and wrap my arms around his waist as he pulls me into his warm embrace.

“What are you doing here? My mom said you were working on the rig and living in Texas.” I look up at Isaac. He looks older, more mature; he has a full beard and small wrinkles framing his eyes when he smiles.

“I am, but I came back to visit Pop for a while. He’s thinking of moving out to Texas, you know,” Isaac answers.

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. “I didn’t know that. That’s good!”

Isaac smiles at me and places a small kiss on the top of my head. “Speaking of not knowing someone’s home. You ain’t been ‘round these parts since high school. What brings you back?” Isaac asks.

“I’m house-sitting for my mom. Plus, Erica and I are catching up. We just got here from the rodeo.” I nod my head toward the table where Erica is sitting, engrossed in her phone.

“The fact that you two are fully grown and still wear matching outfits blows my mind,” Issac says before he lets out a loud belly laugh. Just when I’m getting ready to argue back with Isaac, another deep voice shouts from the corner behind him.

“May, you gonna just stand there or actually play the game?” Matthew asks, walking up. He doesn’t see me because I’m hidden behind Isaac’s tall frame.

“I’m playing, I’m playing. I just had to speak to my favorite cousin,” Isaac says, placing an arm around my shoulders, bringing Matthew’s attention to me.

“Nice to see you again,” Matthew says, a dimpled grin on his face.

“I’ll be here if you need me, Laila,” Isaac says, his voice serious. I nod and lean into his embrace one more time before turning to look at Matthew. I’ve caught him red-handed checking me out.

“I didn’t say it earlier, or maybe I did, I can’t remember. You look beautiful,” Matthew says, stepping closer to me.

He takes all the air from my lungs, making it hard to breathe once again. I take a step back and suck in a deep inhale before slowly exhaling.

“Thanks. Bye,” I say walking around him and back to Erica. I slide back on the chair and she looks up from her phone.

“Issac’s here!” I exclaim before flagging down a bartender to ask for a refill. Erica and I go back to our conversation without missing a beat, but out of the corner of my eye, I see Matthew sitting in the corner of the pool area. I try my best to ignore him and focus on what Erica is saying until she lets out an audible gasp.

“Girl, I didn’t know it was getting late! I gotta go. I promised Mama I’d help her repaint the kitchen in the morning and the last thing I need is a hangover that hurts like a bitch. You gonna stay for a while?”

I nod, “Yeah, I’ll have Isaac walk me to my car. See you later, be safe.”

We hug again before she closes her tab and makes her way outside to her car. I turn to stand and go where Issac is when a slurring voice calls from behind me.

“Laila Wright. If my eyes don’t play tricks on me.”

I turn to the direction of the voice and see Jason Webb stumbling his way closer to me, a beer bottle clutched tightly in his fist.

His brown hair is stringy, like he hasn’t washed it in a few days and his face is just as red as his bloodshot eyes. I wish I could say that the years haven’t been kind to Jason, but in truth, he hasn’t been kind to himself.

Jason used to be one of the best-looking guys around and played on the football team. His nickname was “Huntsman” because he’d always hunt for a pocket before throwing the football – most times, he nailed the pass.

Jason had his whole life ahead of him, but when he got injured, everything changed. He changed. He lost his scholarship offer and decided that he had no place in a university if he couldn’t play ball.

“I ain’t seen you in so long,” Jason slurs. I roll my eyes and grimace at him.

“Jason, make like some algae and float away,” I say in disgust.

“Awe, baby, don’t be like that,” Jason leans closer to me and I practically fall into Erica’s empty seat.

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