Page 65 of A Place Like You

Wren: You seem worried.

Drake: I was. I don’t know shit about football or how to toss a fucking ball.

Wren: Didn’t you play that with your dad while growing up?

Drake: Did you pay attention while I told you about my childhood?

Wren: You didn’t say much about it.

Drake: Oh, long story short, I was raised by nannies. They never tossed me anything.

Wren: Didn’t you have to practice sports at school?

Drake: Yeah, but football wasn’t a part of it. I know baseball, lacrosse, hockey . . . not football. That’s for savages.

Wren: Because in hockey you do finger painting and sing songs?

Drake: Fine, they also beat the shit out of each other. Though, the difference is that they do it while skating. See? No grass stains on our uniforms.

Wren: You’re kidding, right?

Drake: Of course, I am. Though I confess that I sucked at sports. I’m more of a science guy—hence, why I’m a doctor. How about you?

Wren: I won a championship or two.

Drake: Were you a mathlete?

Wren: Softball, I don’t think mathletics is a thing. There’s a mathematic Olympiad, but I’m not that good at math—only average.

Wren sent an image

Drake: So now he’s carrying a turtle around, huh?

Wren: Yep. But do you know what’s bad about all this newfound love for sea creatures, including fish?

Drake: Let me guess, he’ll never eat a fish in his life.

Wren: Yep. I never stood a chance.

Drake: Sorry, but remember, he likes Donna’s crab cakes. Maybe we can introduce him to tuna-cakes, shrimp-cake . . . You get the idea.

Wren: Anyone eats fried food.

Drake: Then take advantage of that.

Wren: Hey, we’re going to have dinner. I’ll talk to you soon, and if not, I’ll see you tomorrow night.

Drake: Text before you go to bed. Love you.

Wren: Love you too.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Wren

The private jet slows to a stop on the tarmac, and I take Milo’s small hand in mine as we prepare to disembark.

The late afternoon sun is blindingly bright as we descend the metal stairs. I shade my eyes with one hand and scan the area anxiously, my breath catching when I spot him.

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