Page 89 of Curveball

I roll her to her back and look at her naked body. How could she ever have any doubts? She’s all woman, in every way possible. Sheer perfection.

I reach my head down and suck her nipple into my mouth. She begins to stir when I hear a female voice getting louder by the second. “Rip, I need to talk to—”

I turn my head in time to see Bailey enter the door. She gasps and covers her mouth. “Holy Red Wedding! What the fudge is this?”

Ripley’s eyes startle open. I quickly cover her with the sheet.

Bailey lets out a nervous laugh. “I’ve…umm...seen her naked a thousand times.” She toggles her finger between us. “How long has this been going on? Man, what a plot twist this is. Kam was right. She’s gone on and on about how you two were fucking on the down low. I told her she was nuts. Damn it. I hate it when she’s right.”

Ripley and I look at each other and then her shoulders fall as she turns back to Bailey. “It was just a one-time thing. It’s…meaningless. Purely physical. Keep it between us, please. There’s no reason to make a whole thing of it. We drank too much, that’s all. It willneverhappen again.”

That cut deep, though what else should I expect?

Bailey looks skeptical but nods, nonetheless. “O…kay. I wanted to talk to you before we head out to the ballpark. Just text me when you get a minute, please.”

Ripley has concern written all over her beautiful face. “Are you okay, Bails? Is this about you leaving with Ezra last night?”

Bailey’s eyes widen, and she motions her head toward me. “Can we discuss this later?”

“Sure.” Ripley toggles her finger between the two of us. “And can you please keep this quiet?”

Bailey gives her a small smile and replies, “Of course,” before she turns and leaves.

When I hear the front door close, I turn to Ripley. “Do you think she’s truly into Ezra? I never saw anything before last night.”

“Honestly? I think she’s into Tanner. I have no idea about last night. I’m sure she was here to talk to me about it.”

“Bailey is sleeping with Tanner Montgomery? Doesn’t she nanny for his kid? Isn’t he way older?”

“Yes, she nannies. Yes, he’s way older. I don’t know if they’re sleeping together. Kam thinks she is, but I’m not sure. It might just be a crush.” She pats my chest. “You should get going.”

“I will. Thanks for last night. I—"

She holds up her hand. “Don’t. Don’t say anything that will ruin this. Maybe we both needed this grand finale. I know I sound like a broken record, but it can’t happen again. I don’t know what you’re looking for, Quincy, but I truly hope you find it one day. I hope you overcome whatever it is you’re battling and that you find someone who gives you whatever it is that you need.” Her eyes tear. “I know it’s not me.”

I want to tell her that she’s the only one who can give me what I need, but I don’t because I can’t give her what she needs. I have to try to let her go. It’s time.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

RIPLEY

Isuppose I knew this moment was coming. I prayed to delay it, but it’s always been inevitable. It’s a force of nature that I’m powerless to stop.

It’s time for a June St. James visit.

I love my mom, but she’s a handful and lacks a filter. All my friends get a kick out of her, but it’s not always easy having a mother like her. She and Kam together are like a nuclear explosion. One time in college, they both ended up dancing topless on a bar. That isn’t even one of the top ten most humiliating moments with my mother.

She’s taking an Uber from the airport to my apartment. At the expected time, there’s a knock at our door. I see Arizona smile. She sings out, “It’s tiiiiiiiime.”

I take a breath. “Here we go. Let the madness begin.”

I open the door to see my exquisite mother not looking like she just traveled all the way across the country. She looks likeNicole Kidman when she’s walking the red carpet. Perfection. People have been saying that for years.

I smile. “Welcome to Philly, Mom.”

She immediately drops her bags on the ground and envelops me in a big hug. “I’ve missed you. You look stunning. Philly agrees with you.”

“Thanks, Mom. You look great, as always.” I pull away. “Come in.”

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