Page 48 of Playing for Keeps

“Do you have pictures of Ma as a baby on your phone?” I ask my father.

“No, but I have more interesting photos.”

My parents share a deviously sexual moment, forcing me to stop hugging my mom.

“Stop eye fucking each other while I’m in the way,” I grumble and walk over to Court. “This thing with Duke is going to be fine. I’ve already started winning him over.”

Court studies me before asking, “Is that just your ego talking or do you have actual facts to back up your claim?”

“Duke was impressed by my work ethic at his family’s diner. Now he wants me to ride with him around Basin Rock.”

“Don’t give away free labor, son,” Pa-Emmett insists after he finishes horn-dogging my ma. “Make these people work for your approval, not the other way around.”

“No,” I say, winning frowns from the men in my family. “Duke is on edge. He feels vulnerable. I’m going to be his son-in-law, and I love his daughter. Iwantto win his approval. Once he’s crazy about me, he won’t be able to think of our club as his rival anymore. Because when he sees the men in charge, he’ll see my family.”

“That’s actually smart,” King Peepaw Jared says.

“I’ve never been dumb,” I state as if I’ve been playing a long con. “I just seem that way because of my beautiful face and gorgeous body.”

“That happens to me, too!” Tuesday cries, winning a snort from Roxie. “Being beautiful is a chore.”

She doesn’t sell those last words, but I appreciate her support nonetheless.

“I’ve got this,” I tell Pa-Emmett and then look at Court and Donovan. “I would die if I lost Lola. She’s my dream girl. This shit is important to me. I am not half-assing anything. My entire fine ass is involved, and I’m going to make it so the two clubs are tight.”

Otto clears his throat. “These are the moments when I wish Val would be my future president. He provides such insight and dignity.”

A horrified West stands up too fast and nearly launches Alexis into the air. Once he settles his ginger woman in the chair, my brother storms toward our cousin.

“I’m better than this dumb shit,” he snarls at Otto who smiles at how his words sparked the desired reaction. “I’m going to punish you a lot when I’m in charge.”

Court rolls his eyes and announces, “This is the kind of shit that makes me afraid to retire.”

“Be more mature, so Court can spend more time home with me,” Auntie Justice insists before muttering, “I blame my sisters’ terrible mothering skills.”

Ma-Poppy and Auntie Journey instantly jump on that comment and start mocking Justice for her many parenting mistakes. The conversation steers away from my love life to the point where I end up settling next to Ike and Oana.

“You’ll watch out for Lola, won’t you?” I ask the lithesome blonde. “She’s the new girl in the family, and you know how that feels.”

Oana smiles sweetly. “I’ll have her back.”

I glance at Alexis hiding under the umbrella. She offers me a smile similar to Oana’s. Tuesday throws me a thumbs-up from her spot near the tree where Edith still hides.

The older generation might still see this as an arranged marriage, but the younger ladies of the homestead are ready to rally around Lola and bring her into the fold.

LOLA, AKA SLIP-SLIDING IN A NEW REALITY

My dad’s sprawling ranch-style home is hidden in the woods. I pull down the quiet trail leading from the main road to the extended driveway. Near the oversized garage are the two trees planted by my parents to celebrate the births of their daughters. Those jacaranda trees are tall and lush now. When I have kids one day, I plan to plant the same kind of trees.

Inside the house, I find Clover shuffling around in the hallway, hair in her face and droopy flannel pants almost hanging off her butt. She won’t be truly awake for a while.

Enjoying her day off, Grandma Erin sits at the back windows with a cup of coffee and a racy romance book. Though she has her own house located across the road, she’s often at Duke’s place.

“Your dad got in late,” she tells me and smirks. “You’re not the only one who got lucky last night.”

Sex was never a big secret growing up. My parents were the most attractive people in town. Women threw themselves at Duke long before he was divorced. Reckless men flirted with my mom right in front of Clover and me. I knew at a very young age how people were in constant heat.

Kerrie never made sex out to be a dangerous mystery. She explained the pros and cons, so I’d make a smart decision for myself when I got old enough. I plan to be as open with my kids.

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