Brett slammed a ball into my face? I’m going to kill him.
“I was taking my frustration at losing out on the ball, but I didn’t realize I was aiming it at you,” Brett says. “Sorry.”
“I think you’re going to be fine, maybe a bruise,” Jamie says. “But I’ll go get my medical kit, to be sure. It’s a game, Brett, but these balls can be dangerous when hit that way.”
Brett’s face turns red. “I know. I get carried away sometimes. Sorry, all. Sorry especially to you, Amelia. I smacked that ball with too much rage. Let me make it up to you. I’m going to go get some pain pills for you. One of the many benefits of dating a pharmacist.”
“I don’t think she needs pharmaceuticals, Brett,” Jamie says.
“That’s kind of funny, coming from you,” Brett says with a grin. At her blank look, he adds, “You know, because you’re a doctor. Aren’t you people usually the first to send your patients to the pharmacy to find a cure for what ails them? I wouldn’t have a job if it weren’t for you.” Brett gives her a wink that I’m sure he thinks is charming. Then his eyes meet mine. “Give me your hand, Amelia, and I’ll help you up.”
I don’t offer him my hand, instead staying seated on the tennis court. He gets the message and trots away. Jamie frowns as she watches him go. She’s clearly fed up with him too.
“Don’t worry about Brett, Jamie. He’s cocky but he’s harmless, unless you’re his date and then he uses you as targetpractice,” I say. What a jerk. He’s flirting with everyone but his date, and has poor sportsmanship too. Frustrating. At least he lost the pickleball match; that makes me happy.
Jamie shakes her head and backs away. “I’ll be right back with my kit.”
“Ryan and I will stay here with Amelia,” Beth says. Like I’m a baby or something. She’s sort of sweaty, and I don’t want her to drip on me. I scooch to the side, out of her drip range.
“Thanks, Beth. Whatever would I do without you?” I say. She always was a bleeding heart, I remember. Always quick to lend a hand to a sister who needed support. Ironic, considering Beth herself was needier, financially speaking, than almost anyone else in the sorority. Funny how some things haven’t changed since college.
My gaze wanders to Jamie’s retreating form, her stride brisk and purposeful as she heads toward the house. Speaking of people who haven’t changed much. She might be Dr. Vale these days, but she still has a stick up her ass. At least she had some champagne last night. Back at SCU, she never even drank alcohol at the parties, though I wasn’t sure if that was because she was a scrupulous rule follower or because she liked being in control.
I wonder what it would be like to be Jamie, so perfect and poised all the time. So in control. It exhausts me just thinking about it.
“I will leave you in Beth’s capable care, if that’s OK,” Ryan says. He’s distracted and looking at his phone. “I have some things to take care of.”
“Of course you do, Mr. Gentry,” I say. “You’ve always been in demand.”
Ryan chuckles. “My in-demand days were so long ago now. Bad memories and big mistakes. Actually, I’ll stay out here with you two. Why not spend some quality time together?”
22
Amelia
I notice Beth’s demeanor has shifted and her arms are crossed on her chest.
“Big mistakes, Ryan?” she says. “Like Sunny?”
Ryan leans forward so their eyes meet across me. “Of course not Sunny. She was perfect.”
Yes, that’s what happens when you die young, I think. I’m far from perfect, of course, especially at this moment, but I look the part. I’m always dressed in the finest couture, my hair and makeup precise; my expectations of myself are as high as they are for others. When I appear, whether at a society gala or in front of my kids in our home, I am the star of the show. My show. Always. Even sitting here on the pickleball court, I look like a million bucks.
I don’t know what the tension is between these two, but this should all be about me. My cheek stings. Stupid Brett. And myeyebrow is tender. For a moment I wonder if he hit the ball at me on purpose, but then I realize he’s smitten with me. I’m the one who is getting over him. Quickly.
I’d better not have a bruise.
“Can you get me some water?” I ask Beth. Giving her something to do will force her to stop hovering over me. Usually I like the attention, of course. But it’s only Beth, so I turn off my charm.
“Sure, of course,” Beth says, standing up.
“I’ve got an extra Gatorade over there,” Ryan says, pointing to a cooler near the court. “I think all the waters are gone.”
“Um, no, I don’t need all those calories,” I say but soften my tone. It’s Ryan and he’s cute. “But thank you.”
“I’ll go get you water from inside,” Beth says.
“Could you bring that article you said you found too?” Ryan says. “I don’t know what it was doing in your room.”
