Page 181 of Most Valuable Players
“Payne,” Adam bellows from the house. “Quit sucking face with my sister and get in here.”
I smile into her mouth as our kiss stops.
We walk up to the house and Ginny goes to the kitchen to help her mom. I grab my overnight bag and Adam and I head upstairs.
“You can take a shower in my room. Should have everything you need in there.” He stops outside his room and motions for me to go ahead.
“Thanks, man.”
“No problem. Lock the door on both sides.”
“What?” I ask, confused.
“You’ll see.”
I walk in and set my bag on the floor and then wander to the bathroom. There’s another bedroom on the other side and I grin as I get my first peek at Ginny’s childhood. I go all the way in and turn a circle. The walls are painted teal and the bed has a white comforter with a thousand throw pillows piled on top. Framed photos line the top of a desk. Even without walking closer, I can tell Bryan is featured in a lot of them.
Her ex-boyfriend might be better at football, but Ginny barely even looked at him the entire game. I know it sounds conceited to say she’s totally into me, but I know she is. I’m totally into her too. Still, I turn the largest frame around so I don’t have to stare at their happy faces.
As I’m coming back through the bathroom, Adam walks in his room with brows furrowed. “Do you have any extra clothes Mav could wear?”
“Nah, man, I just brought the one change of clothes.”
He goes to his dresser and rummages through the few items inside. “My dad doesn’t have a single item of clothing in their closet.”
I shrug and so does he as he says, “Guess Mav will have to wear some vintage duds of mine.”
By the time I shower and head back down, the Scott’s dining room table is filled with food and the guys are already sitting around practically salivating. There’s an empty chair between Ginny and Mav, and I take it.
Mrs. Scott sets a final dish on the table and smiles. “I think that’s everything. Dig in everyone.”
For five minutes no one speaks except to compliment the food between bites. Even my sweet little Ginny, who barely fills a plate most days, eats her weight in mashed potatoes and turkey.
I feel like I can’t eat another bite, but then Mrs. Scott brings pies to the table and I can’t help myself.
“I think I’m gonna be sick,” Mav says after his second piece, leaning back and rubbing his stomach.
“What are you wearing, Mav?” Ginny asks. “Is that Adam’s high school homecoming shirt?”
He looks down and shrugs.
Adam speaks from across the table. “Yeah, Dad. I went in your and Mom’s closet to loan Mav a shirt, but I couldn’t find anything. Did she finally take over the entire closet and ban your clothes to the basement?”
Adam laughs at the idea, but then an uncomfortable silence follows as Mr. and Mrs. Scott share a nervous glance.
My skin prickles with awareness even before I’ve put it together. I’m good at reading bad news. Ginny’s confused expression is heartbreaking, and I rest a hand on her leg under the table.
Mrs. Scott frowns and then says, “We wanted to wait until after the weekend to tell you.”
“To tell us what?” Adam asks, his tone hardened in anticipation.
Uncomfortable silence falls over the room.
“Your mother and I have separated,” Mr. Scott answers finally.
Mav goes into a coughing fit, unable to hide his surprise and I elbow him hard in the ribs. He grunts loudly, but no one is paying him any attention anyway.
“Separated?” Adam questions. “You’re getting divorced?”
