Page 81 of Playing for Keeps

I roll my eyes at how he plays this game rather than allowing me to smack the chick into next week.

“So, what’s happening here?” Emmett asks Jennifer as if the entire reception hadn’t come to a crashing halt when the bitch showed up. The DJ even stopped playing music. Yet, Emmett acts confused as he speaks to Val. “Who is this cocktail waitress?”

The lying bitch announces, “I’m having your grandbaby!”

“Please, God, no!” Poppy cries and faints back into her chair. “Don’t let the baby look like its mother! I’m too shallow to love it!”

Growing upset, Jennifer throws a heel at me, and Val casually slaps it away.

“The bride’s in danger!” Val yells even though he never stops smiling.

“Unleash the bridesmaid army!” Tuesday cries and reveals her super soaker.

My other bridesmaids are also quickly packing water guns. With a war cry from Tuesday, the women chase after a now fleeing Jennifer. The troublemaker runs extremely fast for a woman in her second trimester. I hear her squeal when they begin firing.

Smiling at how Clover joins in with the others, I realize how much she’s been missing out by never spraying anyone with a water pistol.

Emmett signals for the DJ to restart the music. Half the people return to dancing. The other half hurry to the parking lot where Jennifer gets drenched. I’m sure pictures are taken and videos are made for me to enjoy tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Val looks down at me and smiles smugly. “That’s bound to happen from time to time. Women go crazy for me.”

“Well, men might show up to stake their claim on me.”

“If that happens, I’ll flex my muscles to remind you why you picked me.”

Before I can reward Val’s casual cool, Duke walks over and frowns at his son-in-law. “Don’t name my grandson Bucky, and the girl’s name was also horrible. I want normal names for the kids. Can you do that much for me,Valor?”

“Sure,Duke.”

My dad narrows his gaze. “I’m named after a famous western star.”

“I’m named after a famous Graboid killer. What’s your point?”

“I don’t know that reference,” Duke lies instantly.

“Bullshit. There’s zero chance you haven’t seen ‘Tremors.’ I can’t believe your family is that lame.”

I smile at my dad who shakes his head. “‘Tremors’ sound foreign. I don’t watch those films.”

For a moment, Val looks genuinely upset over the prospect of my dad being super lame. When he finds me smiling, his relief is palpable.

“You’re not mad about that Jessica chick showing up, are you?” Val asks me.

“Her name is Jennifer.”

“No, it’s not. It’s Jessica. I saw her work badge once.”

“Why would she lie?” Duke asks.

“To protect the baby.”

Duke and I share an eye roll. Nearby, my bridesmaids return from chasing away the troublemaker. They’ve switched gears and now spray each other. I sense a battle brewing between Tuesday and Edith based on how they’re squirting each other directly in the face.

“No water battles at the wedding,” Val insists and points at his sister. “I behaved at your wedding.”

“Did you?”

“Yes.”

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