My finger taps send before I can stop it. I can’t help myself when it comes to Grant. It’s not a matter of keeping tabs on me as much as it is him being connected to my friend group in a way he never was before. It’s unsettling. They still have no idea Grant and I have a history, let alone a romantic one. He knew we were going to Atlanta because Preston and Miller made the All-Star Team and Daddy Mike is coaching the National League team this year. Of course, Ivory, Gabby, and I went to support them all because we’ve formed our own little family unit after Ivory and Preston met in Belize on the ill-timed but clearly fated vacation I sent her on. Miller and Preston are attached at the hip and our girl gang hit it off with them immediately. Now, we travel together and have family dinners at Ivory and Preston’s house whenever possible.
Don’t Text the Devil
Always, wife.
ME
Don’t call me that.
Don’t Text the Devil
It’s what you are.
Knowing he was going to deliver those words did nothing to tamp down the butterflies that erupt at the reminder. I hate it. I don’t want towantmy husband. The problem is, I never stopped wanting him. We didn’t fall apart because we fell out of love with each other. It just happened. The real world crept in and the high of young love couldn’t compete.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me.” Gabby’s voice pulls me back to the room around me, and I look up momentarily to see her watching the video of Chase on the TV.
“It’s everywhere,” I say, going back to my texts.
ME
Grant, not now. Focus. Please send the plane so Gabby doesn’t have to find a commercial flight or rent a car to drive back from Atlanta.
Don’t Text the Devil
We have it handled. She really doesn’t need to come back for this.
ME
Well your general counsel just berated her on the phone for not being there.
Don’t Text the Devil
for fuck’s sake
ME
I told you he was a problem.
Last week at our annual family cookout for the All-Star Team announcements, Gabby finally confessed to some of the struggles she’s been facing with Mark and Ricardo in the office. Being the good friend I am, also known as someone who will not allow their friends to be treated like a steaming pile of shit, I broke my own rule and texted Grant to tell him he needed to look into those two imbeciles.
Ivory speaks up from behind the couch. “I cannot believe this. Dad says he’s one of the most dedicated on the team. That he showed out in the minors but really pulled his act together this year and was determined to toe the line now that he’s with the Troubadours. He hasn’t gotten in trouble since they called him up last month.”
“Well, when the cat’s away…” I trail off when another text comes in.
Don’t Text the Devil
I told you so? really?
ME
Don’t Text the Devil
The plane will be there. Tell Gabrielle I apologize she’s going to miss the game.
ME
You can tell her yourself, but first, she’s going to prove how valuable she is.
