Page 59 of Curveball

He lets out a laugh. “No, but I do miss your clean freak ways. You kept my place in Houston spick and span. You’re still the only woman I’ve ever allowed in my space.”

I nod, unable to otherwise form words.

“Let me grab a shirt, and we’ll head out.”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

We walk out the door just as a little old lady and an enormous dog walk by. I think I saw her with Quincy at our game the other night.

The dog immediately pulls away from the woman and jumps up on his hind legs into Quincy’s arms, licking his face. Quincy smiles just like he did when Diamond used to kiss him. I have a brief moment of nostalgia remembering their loving relationship. I also remember how devastated he was when Diamond died. Inconsolable for weeks. Arizona and I kept bringing him his favorite candy, hoping it would make him feel better.

Quincy rubs the dog’s tummy. “Relax, Thor. I’ll walk you later, buddy.”

Thor drops down and walks over to me. With a huge smile, I pet his head and rub behind his ear. “Ahh. So gorgeous.”

Quincy nods. “I know. And he’s a gentle giant.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “And this stunner is my girlfriend, Blanche.”

Blanche blushes. Is there any woman immune to Quincy Abbott? She swats his chest playfully. “Oh stop it. I’m not your girlfriend. I have no interest in that type of commitment. I’m your side action.”

I can’t help but let out a laugh. Quincy grins from ear to ear.

She turns to me. “You must be Ripley.”

I pinch my eyebrows together. “You’ve heard of me?”

Quincy quickly responds, “I brought Blanche to one of your games. Cheetah was hitting on her all day.”

She nods. “He reminds me of my husband, God rest his soul. He wants me to be a cougar to his Cheetah.” She rubsQuincy’s arm. “He means nothing, darling. I’m still holding out hope that you will come around.”

I smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Blanche, though you have questionable taste in men.”

She giggles. “It’s hard to resist a beefcake who never wears a shirt.”

I nod. “He’s been refusing shirts since he was a little kid.”

She winks. “Lucky us.”

Quincy clears his throat. “Blanche allows me the honor of walking Thor a few times each week. He’s my best buddy.”

I internally laugh at his name, considering Quincy actually looks like Thor, and I may have a thing for that particular character because of it.

I continue rubbing Thor’s ear, which he seems to like. “I assume Quincy told you about his dog growing up. Thor looks just like her.”

She nods. “He has. Quincy’s been a godsend to me. When I moved from our big house to an apartment, I hadn’t considered how much exercise Thor would need. I’m so thankful for Quincy.”

He shrugs. “It’s how I’m worming my way into your heart.”

“I’d rather you wormed your way into other parts of my body.”

I can’t help the very loud cackle that comes from my mouth. I feel like Blanche is Kam in fifty years. I sort of want the two of them to meet.

Ten minutes later, we’re in his car. We seem to be heading away from the city, toward the suburbs.

“What’s my sister up to today?”

“She and Layton went for a jog around the river.”

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