Page 73 of Playing for Keeps

Erin and Christine offer to organize who wants what room among our group and figure it out with the hotel. I’m relieved to have so many people involved. Dress shopping and goofing around with my bridesmaids was fun, but I don’t care about seating charts and DJ playlists.

“I’ll handle it,” Val says when I get flustered with making decisions. “You just go hang out with your mom.”

“I should help.”

“Kerrie won’t be in town for long. You should focus on her,” Val insists and then smiles at his mom standing nearby. “My ma can help me choose stuff.”

Poppy overhears him—not a difficult task considering she’s been eavesdropping since we arrived—and smiles full ofexcitement. I suspect Poppy fears I’ll steal Val from the family in a way Alexis and Bullet didn’t.

Giving our moms the attention they both need, Val and I walk in separate directions. I snicker when I overhear Poppy's remark about Val smelling like candy.

Kerrie leans into me and whispers, “Duke undersold Val.”

“He’s more than hot. Val’s funny, smart, and sweet. Look, at the necklace he got me.”

Kerrie tears up when she sees the butterfly pendant. She cups my face and seems stuck between guilt and relief.

Hugging her to me, I whisper, “I’ve missed you.”

Kerrie stops eyeing Val nearby with Poppy and hugs me back. “I hate how we live so far apart. I wish you’d move up to Minnesota. But that’s not feasible with you getting married now.”

I relax in my mom’s arms, wishing things had worked out differently. Val’s family see each other every day. That’s how I always thought my life would be with my parents, grandma, and sister. But Kerrie fell in love and followed her heart. I’ve always resented her a little for making that choice, even if Clover and I were old enough to understand.

As my gaze takes in the sight of Val getting bossed around by his mom and aunts, I let go of my resentment toward Kerrie. I have no doubt I’d follow Val wherever he went. The best kind of love refuses to be reasoned with.

VAL, AKA A MAN WITH A PLAN

The hotel is packed with people, most of them being unnecessary for our wedding planning. The real reason the club guys are here is to stimulate bonding between the two crews. For decades, each side viewed the other as rivals. Now, we need to be one big happy family. The best way to make that happen would be through booze.

So, after we finish at the Holiday Inn, we move in mass to Basin Rock. The chicks fill up Mama McGraw’s Diner for food and drinks. The guys head next door to Duke’s Irish-style pub. Inside the Basin Rock Bar, the booze flows and classic rock music plays.

The Basin Rock guys have already begun to warm up to me. They fucking loved how I pushed back against that Mark asshole. I’ve gone from too pretty to be tough to a possible dickhead tyrant aiming to ruin their lives to one of the bros. My goal is a sweet spot where I’m respected like Duke but trusted as one of the guys like I am in Rawkfist.

My brother and cousins attempt to unleash a charm offensive tonight to win over the local guys.

West stands at one side of the bar, telling wild stories. The guys remain wary of his big personality and likely intimidated by his good looks.

Otto has better luck. He’s older and more down to earth but still rowdy. His stories get the guys laughing.

Ike mostly just listens to other people talk. I catch his gaze and silently beg him to become more charming. He watches me for a minute before slowly lifting his middle finger.

Chuckling at his refusal to be bossed around, I look over the crowd to find my pa talking to Duke. I can’t tell if theirconversation is friendly or not. Court walks over to them and seems calm enough.

I consider heading that way to ensure my father and uncle aren’t ganging up on Duke. Then, I remember how my future president and father-in-law doesn’t need my protection. Lola’s fears for Duke are rubbing off on me.

As the place remains festive and people gorge themselves on bar food, I receive a text from Lola. She asks to meet me between the two businesses. I assume she wants wet smooches to tide her over until we’re alone together tonight.

Instead, I find Lola pacing around outside the diner. She sees me and begins to cry.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, alarmed by her downer mood when everyone else is celebrating. “Did something happen with your mom?”

Rather than launch herself at me for comfort, Lola remains wary and worried. I know instantly where her head’s gone.

“No curse is keeping us apart,” I say, and she finally wraps her body against mine. “I refuse to lose you.”

“I want to believe.”

“What’s got you rattled?”

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