Page 32 of Playing For Keeps
There’s a knock on the door. “Jami, are you okay?”
I stand, get myself together, and open the door.
Mel peeks around me. “Who were you talking to?”
“God.”
She pulls back and stares up at me with wide eyes. “Did he answer?”
“I hope so.” I take in a cleansing breath and force away all my negative thoughts.
Please let Dori be safe.
“I didn’t know you were religious.” Mel steps into the hallway.
I follow her out and down the hall. “I’m not. But if we get Dori back, I might have to convert, or whatever it is you do when you owe the big guy upstairs your entire life.”
“Well, you were given a second chance to live. I have to believe it wasn’t so you could lose her and spend the rest of your life in unrelenting agony.”
“Dori needs my strength right now, so I’m not even going to consider that as an option.”
“There’s the Jami I know and love.” She joins Hunter in the kitchen. “I found him in the bathroom talking to himself. I told you he needed to eat.”
Hunter gives me a once-over. For a split second, my old friend appears. He sends me a supportive smile. I tip my head in acknowledgment. If we hadn’t been such dicks to each other, we could’ve been friends.
I slide onto a stool. “I could use a nice shot of that scotch you have.”
He huffs a fake laugh. “We all could use a drink.”
He rounds the island and practically jogs into his bar.
Mel turns to me and runs a hand over my back. “She’ll be back soon. I know it. Now let’s eat because you’re getting irritable.”
I nod and pick at the appetizers Hunter has laid out. “Where’s Aiden?”
“He went upstairs to clean up.” She peeks over her shoulder and up at the loft area. “He’s a mess.”
“Yeah, I probably shouldn’t have hit him.” My wound throbs, reminding me I’m in no shape to fight. I dig into my pants pockets and take out my pain medicine. “They say you’re not supposed to drink alcohol while taking these.”
“But you’re going to anyway?” Hunter joins us with a bottle of scotch and four glasses.
I shrug. “I shouldn’t, but fuck it. How much harm can it do?”
Melanie cuts in. “Who knows, but let's not tempt fate. Take your painkillers and have one shot.”
“Yes, Mother.” I roll my eyes, but she’s right. Dori needs me clear-headed, so I slide my medication back into my pocket. “Do you have anything to drink other than scotch?”
“Dorothy always had iced tea in the fridge. Check inthere.” Hunter pours four shots of the amber liquid into the crystal glasses.
I get up and rummage through his refrigerator. What would Dori think of us hanging out in Hunter’s apartment? She’d probably be happy.
I find an iced tea shoved in the back. “Thank God.”
“Are you still talking to him?” Mel pokes her head around Hunter.
I face her and twist the top off the bottle. “No. I was just thankful I found something to drink.”
“Hunter, what do you think about God?” She studies him as she stuffs her face with cheese.
