Page 21 of Playing for Keeps

“After you fell for Alexis, you got yourself a second daughter. That ginger clown will soon give you adorable grandbabies. But remember when she was just the redheaded offspring of raccoons?”

Smiling grudgingly, Ma-Poppy nods. “I wanted to hate Alexis so much.”

“But she owns West’s heart. She also sassed her way right into your heart.”

“I do love my ginger daughter.”

“So maybe you can learn to love Lola. Or at least, she could be the daughter-in-law you shit talk behind her back,” I suggest and hug my mom. “But never to her face.”

“Because I can’t take her in a fight?”

“Exactly. She’d drop you so easily. My boner and heart would barely recover from the sight.”

Ma-Poppy is a wonderful woman, but she does love drama. I can’t imagine she’ll be able to help herself. However, maybe she can focus her crazy on Erin McGraw and let Lola be.

Ditching Ma-Poppy, I head to the DJ to ensure he doesn’t play “Foolin” until Lola exits her SUV.

My dream girl is a bossy woman with specific ideas about the world. For her to bow to my will, she’ll need to know I can make her happy. Her favorite song is just the first step.

LOLA, AKA FALLING FOR THE FOOL

Val’s family has a nice setup on their homestead. They’re located outside of Tumbling Rock with space to roam. The location is picturesque, yet I can’t imagine living here. Val should have to live in Basin Rock since he plans to be the club’s VP.

While exiting the SUV near one of the free-standing garages, I start digging in my heels on the issue. I refuse to give up my home! Val can bend to my needs! Screw his family and their club!

Then, I hear “Foolin” begin playing over the homestead’s sound system. Feeling lightheaded, I grip Duke’s wrist.

“What’s wrong?”

“Val’s being sweet,” I whimper as I stare into my father’s concerned eyes. “How can I focus on doing right by the family and the club when that gorgeous stud remembers my favorite song?”

“I thought your favorite song was that backpack one from the Dora show.”

I glare at my father who chuckles at my annoyance. He kisses the top of my head and whispers, “Liking your mom made our arranged marriage better. So, Val being sweet or whatever is a good thing. Don’t look for reasons to be upset.”

My dad is right, yet I feel like I need to keep Val at a distance. If I let him close, I won’t be able to deny him. I’ll trust we’re immune to the curse. Then, when he leaves, my heart won’t recover.

Shoving Val away feels right. Well, just until his six-foot-plus athletic build struts toward us. He wears a white T-shirt and painted-on faded blue jeans. His brown hair is wavy andshines in the summer sun. His skin is golden, and his smile is welcoming.

I try to look nonchalant, but my gaze refuses to break away from his. His blue eyes hypnotize me. I’m glued to my spot. I forget to breathe. The longer I know Val, the more control he claims over me.

“Lola McGraw,” he murmurs, seeing only me before shaking my hand. “You look good in white.”

I open my mouth to complain. Val always inspires me to spit unfiltered bitchiness in his direction. Yet, with his smile so bright, my snark remains frozen. I only want to throw my arms around his neck and rub my body against his.

“Sir,” Val says, reminding me how my dad is standing at my side. “You’re looking fit and eternal today.”

“Why can’t you just say normal shit?”

“I was raised too well.”

Duke exhales roughly, already exhausted by his future VP’s mouth. I stare at Val’s lips and wish they were kissing me rather than flapping snark at my dad.

“Let’s do introductions,” Val says as his people walk over.

For the next five minutes, I hear many familiar names. I attach faces to the new people. I have no clue how to spell “Oana,” but she seems nice for a former cult member. I also sense she might be pregnant despite her flat stomach. She keeps protectively touching her belly.

Next to Oana, Alexis is mostly worried about the sunlight on her pale freckled skin. Tuesday introduces Roxie to Clover.

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