“And yet he didn’t ask for Lauren. Typical.”
“Give it a rest, Parker.” I frogged him in the leg and took off before he could get me back.
Outside, I got to work arranging the backyard tables and chairs according to Charlotte’s directions while Parker and Connor argued over whether the steaks were done or not. Lauren was nowhere in sight, but I had a feeling that had nothing to do with cooking and everything to do with hiding her not-boyfriend from the family. For someone she was only casually dating, she sure was worried about what he might think.
Raelyn tugged on the bottom of my shirt. She had a kickball tucked under her arm that was almost as big as she was. “Will you play ball with me, Clay?”
“Well, of course, you little rag-a-muffin. I was wondering when you’d come say hi.” I stole the kickball from her and ran off, knowing she’d follow.
We kicked it back and forth in the grass under the treehouse until Melissa called for her to come and go potty and wash her hands before lunch, which of course, Raelyn did not want to do. Melissa ended up chasing her down and carrying her into the house like a screaming sack of potatoes.
John headed my way with a deep frown, and a sense of foreboding settled over me. We hadn’t talked about Lauren since he’d asked me to come today, and I had a feeling that was what he wanted to talk about now.
He glanced around, as if afraid we’d be overheard. “Have you seen Lauren yet? I want to see this guy who’s so special I’m not allowed to meet him.”
“Are you surprised?”
John frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You told her she could get out of the Idaho trip if she brought him today. She’s not going to take that without making you sweat a little. That’s how you Harwoods are, am I right?”
John blew out a frustrated breath. “I guess.”
“She told me not to come today.”
“Does she know I asked you to be here?”
“No. And let’s pretend that conversation never happened. I can’t do these little favors for you, John. You’re abusing your boss privileges.”
“I suppose I am. Sorry, Clay.”
He walked off, and I let out a sigh of relief. He’d try again, no doubt, but I felt better for telling him anyway. I kicked the ball up from the bottom of my shoe and bounced it on my knee. I’d always sucked at soccer, but Parker and I had perfected the trick shots that made us look better than we were.
There was a sudden creak overhead, and I glanced up at the treehouse, just as Lauren’s head popped out the window. She looked as mad as a hornet. If she’d overheard our conversation just now, I was so dead.
“You have some explaining to do, Clay.”
Yep, she definitely heard. On instinct, I backed up, but she came down the ladder fast, running at me the second she hit the ground. I took off, throwing the kickball behind me to slow her down. I was almost to the white vinyl fence that separated their property from the neighbors, prepared to hop over it in one bound, but she caught me around the waist and took me to the grass, sitting on my back for good measure. I craned my neck around and took in her look of angry satisfaction.
“This isn’t fair. I’m not going to wrestle you, Lauren.”
“You’re only saying that because you lost.”
I rested my chin on my arms and sighed. “Fine. Say your piece.”
“What favors?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She reached down and tickled my sides, and I immediately jumped in response, almost rolling over to tackle her and make her stop before my better judgment kicked in. I could not wrestle with Lauren. Not ever. My only choice was surrender.
“Okay, okay. I’ll talk.”
“What favors have you been doing for my dad?”
“I cancelled his appointment with the dermatologist for him and rescheduled it.” Which was true. Charlotte would have lectured him about missing it again, so he asked me to do it.
“You know that’s not what I’m talking about. You told my dad no more little favors just now. What did you mean?” She slid off me and sat in the grass, looking much more serious. “Please, Clay.”
