Page 64 of Playing for Keeps

“I grew up around them, and I was meant to be with Val.”

“There it is,” Tuesday says and hugs me. “My brother is a real prize. Oh, he might act like a complete fricking dumbass, but the man’s sharp as a tack and as hard-working as a...” Tuesday struggles with her answer before shrugging. “He’s a hard worker.”

“I know Val’s great. That’s why I’m happy to marry him.”

Tuesday gently grips my chin and stares into my eyes. “Will you give him sufficiently adorable children with great hair?”

“Yes.”

“But not too many. I don’t want you showing me up.”

“I only want two.”

“That’s probably smart. You’ll have large babies. Birthing too many of them might ruin your muff.”

“Thank you for your concern,” I tell Tuesday who smiles and returns to Edith.

Her cousin rolls her eyes. “Keep walking.”

“No, no, you’re sad. I must offer you a place to rest your weary head,” Tuesday insists while shoving Edith’s head against her chest. “You are such a special gal.”

At first, Edith struggles to free herself. Then, her gaze meets mine. I don’t know what she sees on my face, but she gives up and allows Tuesday to soothe her.

“Wait, so I’m confused,” Oana says, and Alexis grins instantly as if they’re doing a bit. “Is Edith going to date Cubby?”

“No,” Roxie insists. “I’m putting my foot down.”

Clover surprises me by peeping up, “He can be very considerate.”

“How exactly?” Roxie insists as if she might throw down with my sister.

“He brought me soup when I was sick.”

Roxie glances around before nodding. “Okay, that’s considerate.”

Enjoying everyone’s good mood, I don’t mention how Cubby only brought the soup because Duke told him to. Clover glances at me and smiles at my silence.

“Here’s the plan,” Tuesday announces after Edith gets fed up and shoves her off. “We’ll all focus our joy in Lola’s direction for the next few weeks. Get her and Val into a state of bliss. It’ll need to be a real group effort.”

Alexis and Oana nod immediately, watching Tuesday prance around the salon.

“Once my brother has worn himself out with Lola’s muff, we’ll rally around Edith and find her a man.”

“Just leave me alone,” Edith mutters.

Tuesday smiles softly. “No,” she says and then turns to me. “We’ll hook her up with several bikers from your club. If that doesn’t work, we’ll all go visit Rie in Arcadia. I know she’ll love to have a dozen people show up unannounced at her house. Then, we’ll drive around that swanky beach down, flagging down any possible hotties.”

“Isn’t there a biker club in that swanky beach town?” Betty Mooney asks as she enters the salon wearing faded blue jeans folded up at the ankles, a black “Tiger Army” T-shirt, and her black hair wrapped up in a red bandana. “Oh, and thanks for waiting for me, dumbasses.”

Oana gasps and touches her feathery hair as if she can reattach the cut pieces. “We didn’t think you were coming.”

“I wasn’t until Otto ditched me to ride with Donovan and Ike for a little male bonding. I assume they’ll end up eating wings and watching sports while burping and farting a lot.”

“Men are such simple creatures,” Tuesday says wistfully as she still wanders around with her plastic salon cape floating around her. “Betty, you desperately need beautifying. Take my spot. I’m busy supervising.”

“Don’t boss me around, kiddo.”

“Fine. Sit your ass in the waiting room and I’ll take my time here.”

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