Page 111 of Curveball

“I suppose he’s coming?”

“He’s my husband. Of course he’s coming.”

I nod. I saw online that they were suddenly married. I feel guilty for missing it, though I think it was a spur-of-the-moment thing and no guests were in attendance.

I check in, and we make our way to my room. When we’re in the elevator, she tugs on my beard.

“Your face looks like an unkempt vagina.”

Layton shakes in laughter.

I can’t help the small smile that creeps out. She loves busting my balls.

I make a spectacle of slowly licking my lips. “Hmm. Thank you.”

She scrunches her face. “Eww. It wasn’t meant as a compliment.”

I wink at her. “I know. Congrats on your wedding. Thanks for the invite.”

She doesn’t smile as we walk down the hall and into my hotel room. “We had to fucking wait for you to celebrate. We wanted to have a party last month, but selfish Quincy fell off the map, so we still haven’t done that.”

I slam the door shut. “Selfish? Screw you, Z. You’re able to be in a normal relationship and get married because I wasn’t selfish. Because I took care of you and shielded you from our shit parents.”

Her face softens slightly. “I know you were an amazing big brother. I understand that. But how could you use Ripley, and then treat her this way?”

“I didn’t use her. I’ve always cared about her. I never have and never will feel about another woman the way I feel about her.”

Her eyes widen with hope. “Are you in love with her?”

I rub my beard and sigh. “I’d rather have this conversation with her.”

She gives me an unimpressed look.

I roll my eyes. She’s not going to let up unless I give her answers. “I tried not to be, and I’ve tried to deny it, but I realized that I am.”

Her face lights up. “Then what’s the fucking problem?”

“The problem is that I never saw myself as a husband or father.”

“Well, now you’re both, so stop being a fucking baby and man the fuck up.”

“She told you about the marriage?”

“She told me everything.Everything. You should becounting your lucky stars that a woman like Ripley loves you. You don’t deserve her.”

“That’s one thing we can agree on.”

She’s about to open her mouth again when Layton places his hands on her shoulders and pulls her back to his front. “Sunshine, give him a minute to collect his thoughts before you go on the attack. That was a big admission for him.”

I see her physically relax into him as she nods.

I narrow my eyes. “You’re the Arizona whisperer.”

He smiles and winks at me.

I run my fingers through my hair, which has also gotten longer. “I spent some time with Dad. For the first time in my life, he prioritized me and my needs.”

She nods. “I know you spent two weeks away somewhere. Mom didn’t know where. She still doesn’t. He was tight-lipped.”

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