Page 107 of Payoff Pitch

I’m in my car, well, Tanner’s car, but it’s sort of become mine, waiting for Dad at the airport. I see him walk out, and I wave to get his attention.

He smiles as he sees me. It’s been a few weeks since the funeral. He looks well, not like a man who has been home crying his eyes out. I’m relieved to see him this way. I wasn’t sure what to expect.

After placing several large bags in the trunk, he gets into the car and leans over to hug me. “Hi, love. Wow, this is a nice ride.”

I place the car into gear and head out of the airport. “It belongs to the Montgomerys. I drive Harper a lot, so they prefer her to be driven in this. And I need transportation to and from his house.”

“Hishouse?”

I nod. “Yes, they’re divorced. He’s a single father, though sometimes I help out the mom too if she’s stuck at work.”

“I see. And he flew to Mommy’s funeral with you. That’s…interesting. I didn’t get to chat with him at all. You guys left so quickly after the funeral.”

“I was helping him with Harper and her friend out in Colorado when you called about Mom. I told you I was going there. His ex-wife had just arrived for her week out there with Harper. We were supposed to fly home to Philly, and he moved our flights. He was concerned Kam wouldn’t come. He was offering a shoulder to cry on. We’re friends.”

“Hmm. And your sister was with…a boyfriend? I only met him briefly.”

“I’m not sure what they are, but he’s kind of perfect for her. He matches her crazy.”

“Was it Cruz Gonzales, the baseball player? She introduced him as kitten.”

I let out a laugh. “Yes, it was Cruz Gonzales. His nickname is Cheetah so she calls him kitten to mess with him.”

“Well, that sounds like your sister. Are you seeing anyone?”

I hate lying to him, so I keep it vague. “Now and then. Nothing serious.”

I nod my head toward the trunk. “Not that I don’t welcome a long stay, but you said it was going to be two nights. That you couldn’t get any more time off work. Why all the luggage?”

“I brought some of Mommy’s things and other household items that I thought you and Kamryn might want. If you don’t, we can donate them.”

“It looked like you were emptying the house when I was there, and now all this stuff. Are you moving?”

“Let’s talk about that when we’re with your sister.”

“Okay. I made up my room for you. I’ll sleep with Kam in her room. I assume you have no interest in her waterbed.”

He lets out a laugh. “I can’t believe she finally has one. She asked for that every single year for her birthday. That and a puppy.”

“I wouldn’t bring up the puppy.” We had one for a few weeks until my mother’s antics were the end of that. Kam is still salty about it twenty years later. “It’s her second waterbed since we’vebeen here.” I hold up my hand and smile. “You don’t want to know what happened to the first.”

He chuckles. “Your sister. Out of control since day one.” He pats my hand. “It’s a good thing you’re always so sensible. She’s lucky to have you looking out for her. She’d probably be in jail if not for you.”

Truer words have never been spoken.

We park and head up to our apartment. Kam is waiting with takeout Chinese food boxes spread all over the kitchen table. She pulls Dad into a big hug, but I place my hands on my hips. “I thought you said you were cooking tonight since I’m cooking at the Montgomerys’ house for everyone tomorrow night.”

Tanner invited us over with Dad.

She shrugs. “When have you ever seen me cook a meal in our entire lives? Cooking is a man’s job. It’s pronounced cooKING, not cooQUEEN.”

“You’re absurd.”

“We’re not ten. You don’t need to kiss his ass. You’re fine with Chinese food, right, Daddy?”

Dad smirks. “I’ve missed the two of you and your bickering. You used to go at it constantly. And it feels like years since we’ve sat down to a meal. I don’t care what it is. I’m just happy we’re together.”

Kam crosses her arms in satisfaction. “Told ya so. And, Daddy, we haven’t eaten together in years because you always carried around that baggage called Beverly. Now that the witch is burning in the pits of hell, we can be a normal family who eats meals and spends holidays together.”

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