Page 12

“Desmond,” I say.

“Tiana.” She shakes.

“Now tell me again why I’m your favorite wide receiver?” And apparently she plays my position too.

Oakley groans and rolls his eyes, which is obviously the response I wanted, but before Tiana replies, we’re joined by Lucas, Isla, and the child she has with her.

“Hey, guys. Thanks for coming,” Lucas tells them.

“Thanks for having us,” Oakley replies. “Sorry Ree couldn’t make it.”

“It’s okay. We’re just glad you guys could come. Tiana, this is my best friend Isla and her goddaughter, Andrea.”

Isla says hello, followed by the two girls, and just seconds later, Tiana is asking if she can go play with Andrea before they run off together, leaving me standing here, weirdly obsessing over the fact that Oakley’s partner couldn’t come and wondering why.

“Drinks are in the fridge. Make yourselves at home,” Lucas tells us, before Isla has his attention again and they’re walking away.

“Your daughter has good taste, Manning,” I tease.

“Fuck off.” He gives me the finger.

“It’s a shame we don’t play each other more during the season, but if she wants tickets to Inferno games, I’ll hook her up.”

“Why is Hunter friends with you again?”

I shrug. “You used to like me too,” slips out, and we both freeze. His pupils blow out slightly; he’s clearly just as surprised as I am that I mentioned our time at the beach. I’ll fully admit that the antagonizing behavior started with me, but again, I never fucking knew how to act around him.

Still don’t really, but I sure as shit don’t talk about our time together. We both just pretend it never happened.

“I—”

“Relax, Manning. I’m giving you shit.” I nudge him with my arm, saving us both whatever weirdness would have come from what he might have said. “So, Serena…”

“Like I said, couldn’t make it,” he replies. “We, um, moved her parents out here, and she’s spending time with them.”

Now that I think about it, I can’t remember the last time I heard about them together. Even going back to Christmas, Oakley spent it with Hunter and Lucas, but Serena and Tiana went back to Ohio with her family. I’m not sure why he didn’t spend it with his father, but then, why would I know? It’s not as if we talk.

“That’s cool,” I say, then we both stand around like we’re not sure what to say to each other. As much as I hate it, I wonder if he ever thinks about those two weeks, if he remembers them fondly. If he really does hate me now, or if maybe they’ve got him twisted up too.

I doubt it. Oakley is where he’s supposed to be. He’s got an amazing kid—with excellent taste—and from the looks of it, he and Serena really were meant to be.

“I’m gonna…” He points over to the group.

“Yeah. Me too.”

We head over to the others. Oakley talks to Hunter while I give his mom a hug.

“How’s your mama doing?” she asks. I’ve known her since Hunter and I became friends in college.

“Good. I keep trying to get her and my pops to leave Florida, but I haven’t talked them into it yet. They come out a couple of times a year, though. They’re living their best lives.” My parents are great. I’ve been close with them my whole life—all my aunties, uncles, and cousins are all back home too.

“That’s good. I’ve been determined to stay in Kansas City. It’s all I know, but Abbie and I have both been thinking about it.” Abbie, Lucas’s mom, separated from his father earlier this year and has been working to get her relationship with Lucas back.

“You should do it. I know Hunt would love it.” I wrap my arm around his shoulders.

“What would I love?” he asks.

“Having your mom move here.”