“You bitch.”
I’m taken aback by her anger, and I recoil.
“I sent him over here to help you, and you mount him like some horny alley cat.”
My chest feels tight, and I have to work to push out the words. “What? No, that’s not how it happened.”
“I thought you were my best friend.”
“I am.”
“Best friends don’t fuck each other’s brothers. I trusted you. Both of you.” She pulls her phone out of her back pocket. “I’m going to message him and tell him he can fuck right off.”
I cross the room and place my hand on her phone. “No. He has a game, and this is between me and you.”
She lifts her gaze to mine, a conniving smile lifting her lips. Then she laughs, placing her phone on the counter.
My shoulders drop. “Seriously?”
She laughs harder and pulls me in for a hug, her laughter ringing in my ear. “Come on, it was funny.”
“Do you know how worried I was? I even rehearsed it with Hayes last night.”
She smacks a kiss on my cheek. “Of course you did.” She hops back up on the counter and picks up another balloon. “Now tell me all about it without any kinky sex stuff.” She puts her hand on her heart. “I’m gonna mourn that part of our relationship. I guess it will only be me sharing now.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” I get up on the counter beside her.
“I just have one question. Do you love him?”
That was the last question I thought she’d ask, but I’m glad she did because I want her to know how much he means to me and how much I care for him. “I do.”
Her smile takes over her entire face. “Okay. Now tell me everything.”
As we decorate, I tell her all about how I fell in love with her brother and promise her that nothing will come between our friendship.
Now we just need the guardianship finalized in my favor, then Hayes, the kids, and I can have our happily ever after.
Chapter
Forty-Seven
Leighton
* * *
“Hey, you know what to do.” I get Hayes’s voicemail after a few rings.
“Hey, it’s me again. I’m not even sure if you’ll get this, but please call me as soon as you do. I know it was a rough day, but it’s only one game. Please… just call me.”
“Voicemail again?” Callie asks, and I nod.
We’re in the corner of the kitchen, as Lake’s friends do a scavenger hunt through the house and backyard. I’ve fed them. Callie and I took turns painting their nails. I put on ten face masks.
“I’m gonna call.” Callie steps away from me, grabbing her phone off the counter and dialing her brother.
I’d be surprised if he picked up for her and not me. I have no idea why he isn’t here at the party. My only assumption is that it was a horrible game today. They were leading in the top of the ninth when Foster came in to get only two outs. O’Leary hit a single to third that got by Decker, and one run came in. Although Decker made a great throw to Hayes, he didn’t get the tag down, and another runner scored. After that, it looked as though they were so shaken up, they couldn’t come back.
In the bottom of the ninth, when the Colts had a chance to get the run back, Easton struck out, Decker struck out, Torres walked, and Hayes worked it to a full count before ultimately striking out. Game over. Colts lose.
