Page 127 of Double Play

I knock on my cast. “This happened?”

“Snap out of it. It’s a temporary setback. Shit happens.”

My body deflates. “I want to snap out of it. Fuck, Q, I’ve never felt like I had this much to lose. Maybe this is why I never let anyone get close. I lost my parents. I lost my grandmother. Even the Greenes tossed me to the side of the road like I meant nothing. And then I find this amazing, perfect woman. One that I genuinely seemyself spending the rest of my life with. I don’t know if I can bear to lose her too. I’m…I’m terrified.”

He sits on the edge of my bed. His shoulders sink. “I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through. I never thought about it like that. We complain that our parents aren’t involved enough in our lives, but I know we’re lucky to have parents that love us.” He places his hand on my shoulder. “She loves you. Trust me, she does. And Arizona Abbott loves with her whole heart.”

“Will you call me a pussy if I tell you I miss her? That it’s like I can’t breathe without her?”

He looks up at my ceiling. “You’re a pussy for having a poster of my sister on your ceiling, not for missing your girlfriend.” He shrugs. “I miss her too. She’s a bright light in all of our lives, not just yours.”

“The brightest. It’s like I finally knew where I belonged. She feels like home. And Butch is a huge star trying to steal her any chance he gets. I’m a sinking ship. He’s theit guy. How can I compete?”

“I don’t think that’s how she sees it, but you should talk to her, not me. She’s worried about you. She asked me to come see you.”

“She did?” At least I know she cares.

“Yes. You’re coming to Thanksgiving tonight, right?”

“Are you sure your family wants Henry and me?” For the past few years I’ve done afternoon Thanksgivings at Linda’s House and then usually would have a quiet meal with Henry. When Quincy invited me to Thanksgiving with the Abbotts, I asked about Henry, and they were more than welcoming.

He sighs. “I’m only telling you this because I think you need to hear it. I was supposed to go to California for Thanksgiving. Arizona called my parents and beggedthem to come here so that you and Henry could have a nice family holiday. You know what a big deal it is for them to travel. She’s paying for them to come. All to make sure you’d have a happy Thanksgiving.”

I run my hands through my hair. “Fuck. I ignored her call earlier. I’m such an asshole.”

“I knew that all along.” He scrunches his nose. “Butch McVey is a dweeb. There’s no way my sister ends up with someone who has a man bun.”

I smile. “You have longer hair.”

“And yet do you ever see it in a man bun?”

I let out a laugh. “Not once.”

“Right.” He stands and sighs. “Come on. I’ll help you shower. I can’t live with your stink anymore. I won’t subject my parents to it. Is there something to cover the cast?”

I nod toward the big plastic wrap in the corner of my room. He grabs it and returns. “I’m about to say something I never thought I’d say. Lancaster, drop your drawers.”

I slide off the bed, stand as best as I can, and drop my boxers to the ground.

He scrunches his face. “Why is the head of your dick so fucking big?”

I smile. “Your sister doesn’t mind. In fact, she loves it.”

His face falls. “You want me to break your other leg?”

I laugh and it feels good. “She especially likes it when I…” I purposefully don’t finish that sentence. I simply wink at him.

He allows a small smile to break free. “I’m going to let it slide just this once because I’m happy to see a smile onyour face. Just once, Lancaster. You keep that shit between you and her.”

I nod. With a straight face, I say, “We shouldheadto the shower.”

He narrows his eyes at me.

“Do you need aheadstart?”

“Lancaster.”

“No worries. I’llheadthat way and you can follow when you’re ready.”

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