Page 42 of Strike Zone

“I want to.”

“You know what I mean. If it annoys her, then that’s her problem. We’ll have some laughs, go out on the water, drink some ridiculously priced whiskey, and have some laughs. I think Carter might be up there this weekend too.”

“Of course, he has a house in the Hamptons.”

“The man is making money hand over fist from idiots like us who run up tabs for thousands of dollars, paying for copious amounts of alcohol whenever we drink in his clubs.”

“To be fair, we’re generous motherfuckers. We pay for everyone’s drinks, and his clubs are the bomb.”

“So, are you going to come? We can go hang out with him one night and drink his top-shelf liquor.”

“If Diana gets catty, you’re the one who’s taking the talons to the face.”

“Whatever. She likes me.”

“Well, isn’t that fucking lovely for you? The only Lexington that loves me is an octogenarian married mother of two.”

Anders’ pizza becomes a projectile that I manage to avoid by less than an inch as he descends into a fit of laughter. “She’s in her late fifties. If she finds out you thought she was in her eighties, you’ll be on her shit list too.”

“I was exaggerating for effect. Besides, your wife loves me.”

“She does, but if you tried to snake her from me, I’d kill you.”

“You’d try, but you wouldn’t succeed.”

“You underestimate my rage.”

“Dream on, Beck.”

“Shut up. Are you coming or not?” I pretend I’m thinking about it, more to convince myself than Anders. Who am I kidding? The opportunity to see Diana even though I know it’s going to hurt, means I’m going.

“Fine, I’ll come. But when Diana tries to kick my ass, you better have my back.”

“Did you just ask me to help you if a girl tries to fight you?”

“No, I just asked for backup when a fucking UFC fighter, who hates my guts, wants to kick my ass.”

“Good point. She could kick both our butts without breaking a sweat. We may have to enlist Brooke. She knows the right things to say when it comes to her sister.”

“Yeah, I’m sure she’s up for helping me get laid.”

“Sure, she wouldn’t be happy about that, but she’d be on board if she knew you were looking for the real deal. Plus, if nothing else, if you two become friends, it will at least make it easier for us all to hang out.”

“I forgot, the world revolves around you and Brooke. The rest of us merely exist in your orbit.”

“Now you’re getting it. My orbit’s a happy place, come join the party.”

“You’re a dick.”

“I’m a fucking happy dick.” I can’t argue with him. He and Brooke are sickeningly blissed out.

“Seriously, we’ll have a good time. I’ll make sure of it.”

“You better, or your birthday present will be a swirly in the locker room at practice next week.”

“You’re a thirty-two-year-old man. Swirlies aren’t a thing at our age.”

“Bullshit. If I’m physically still capable of it, then it’s fair game.”

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