Page 54 of Double Play

I can’t help but smile. For the first time in my life, I can answer yes to that question. “I have. The woman I’m seeing now.” Sort of seeing.

His jaw drops. “You haven’t banged the hot blonde I see in all those photos?”

I shake my head. “No, I haven’t. We’ve been taking it slow, getting to know each other.” I leave out the whole fake relationship thing. “And honestly, it’s been nice. I already know her better than any other woman I’ve been with in the past. I’ve quickly realized that we have so much in common and I genuinely like it. I care about her. When it happens,” hopefully when I leave here, “it will mean something because we’ve already connected and care about each other on a deeper level.”

I see him considering my words and find myself considering them too. It’s true. I genuinely care for her and feel a deep connection. While we haven’t engaged in the ultimate act of intimacy yet, our relationship is more intimate than any other I’ve ever had in my entire life.

I take his hand in mine. “Henry, life isn’t always easy. You know that more than anyone. You can’t fall into ablack hole of despair when it doesn’t go exactly as you thought it would.”

“You can say that because your life is perfect.”

“My life isn’t perfect. Just because you see it online doesn’t make it the truth.”

“What does that mean?

“Nothing.”

“I’m sorry. I guess I’m just lonely. I had her in my life for only a few weeks, but it felt good to be needed by someone else.”

I’m suddenly overcome with a large sense of guilt. I should be spending more time with him. “I need you, Henry. You’re the only family I have. Why don’t you come to a game?” He never comes to games, despite my constant invitations. I have no clue why, but he’s always declined my invitations, and I suppose I stopped trying.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course.”

He smiles. It’s so genuine. “I’d like that.”

Once I know that Henry is out of danger and not at risk of a slipup, I can’t help but start driving toward Arizona’s apartment. I won’t go the night without seeing her. A phone call isn’t enough. I know I should have given her more information when I bailed, but I was in a rush and panicked. I wasn’t thinking straight.

I start pounding on her door until it opens. It finally does, but it’s not Arizona. It’s Ripley standing there in a nice dress, looking like she’s about to go out.

She sighs when she sees me. “What are you doing here? I’m not sure it’s such a good idea tonight.”

“I need to see Arizona.”

“Haven’t you fucked with her enough for today? Youbetter have a good reason for abandoning her like you did.”

“I had a family emergency. I’m here now.”

“She’s not here.”

“Where is she?”

“She went for a long jog to clear her head. You upset her. She’s questioning everything.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt her. There’s nothing for her to question. I want to be with her.”

“She’s very sensitive. With reason.”

“I know what happened. She’s shared it with me.Allof it.”

Her eyes widen in shock.

I nod. “I knoweverything. Our time together these past few weeks has meant something. She means a lot to me.”

“I appreciate you saying that. You have to understand that Arizona hasn’t been herself in a long while. She was never insecure. She’s been the wild one. Well, maybe not to Kam’s level, but close. I’ve seen a gradual change in her since we got here. She’s happy. She’s coming back to us. I can’t have you mess with her progress.”

“Did it ever occur to you that I’m part of the progress?”

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