Page 70 of The Baller

“You gave her the access code?” Parker hissed, as Holiday stepped down into the living room, her arms laden with shopping bags.

“Hi, guys. What’s going on?”

Tanner nearly tripped over the stool leg in his speed to get off it. “Hol, what’re you doing here?

“Came to invite you to a party, but it looks like you’re having one,” she teased, and arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

“We’re having lunch.”

“Doesn’t matter, the party’s tomorrow anyway. It’s Halloween,” she shrugged, lifting the bags in the air. “I’ve brought costumes for you all.”

“Thanks, but we’re boycotting Halloween. We already decided.”

But Holiday had stopped listening; her entire focus since she’d spotted her sitting at the island, was Radley, who was also staring wide-eyed at Holiday. It was easy to forget Holiday was more than Tanner’s sister. I’d seen that look before from fans, or anyone when they realized who I was, and if I wasn’t mistaken, Radley was a little star struck.

Holiday marched over, her ponytail swinging wildly, and stopped in front of Radley.

“Hello,” Holiday greeted and pulled her into a brief hug, then stepped back. “Cute outfit. Are you Radley Andrews?”

Once again Radley looked down at the bright orange trackpants rolled up four times around her ankles and wrists, and back to Holiday. Two little lines now creased her brow.

“Thank you. Are you…” she paused, her confused eyes flicking momentarily to Tanner, before a widening in realization. “Are you Holiday Simpson?”

“In the flesh,” Holiday replied with a dramatic curtsy then turned to the stove, lifted up the pan lid, and inhaled deeply. “Oh great, I’m starving.”

One brow raised as I stared at Tanner. If a genie had popped from a lamp and turned him into an actual sheep, the expression on his face could not have been more sheepish.

“The more the merrier.”

Holiday Simpson is the reason I found myself twisted up into a knot with Parker’s ass in my face three hours later. But if it had Radley doubled over with laughter like she had no plans to stop, then I’d stick my face in his ass all day.

Actually, no. I wouldn’t, but you know what I mean.

“Right hand yellow!” ordered Holiday.

“Where did this game even come from?” groaned Ace, as hesomehowmanaged to twist his arm through a gap Tanner had left with his leg, sticking his elbow into a place no elbow belonged.

There’s no way he’d have been able to make that maneuver six months ago. Cosmo was paying off in more ways than one.

“Watch what you’re doing with that thing!” Tanner squeaked out.

I tried to look, but it was impossible. It was taking all my strength to maintain any balance, which also proved impossible, and I collapsed onto the floor, army-rolling to the side before I had any more of Parker’s ass in my face, managing a deep breath for the first time since we started playing.

“Left foot blue.”

I disappeared over to the kitchen, replenishing the empty beer bottles with full ones, along with a bag of chips and left over guac. Radley was still laughing at the boys as I sat down and pulled her onto my lap, dropping a kiss to her temple. She settled back into me, and I wrapped my arms around her. Only once she’d relaxed did I relax, too.

Since we’d arrived back here, I’d been finding it more and more impossible not to be touching her, until it got to the point where I just gave up trying. It dawned on me that staying in the apartment on a Friday evening playing Twister, while the rain pelted down through the dark sky was not even close to the top ten things I had planned today, yet I wouldn’t trade it for a million dollars – especially with Radley’s back pressed into my chest like a part of me I didn’t realize had been missing.

I’d never had so much fun not leaving my place before.

It didn’t take long for the precarious structure in front of us to collapse, setting off Holiday and Radley in another fit of giggles, and the rest of us couldn’t help but join in.

“Must pee,” Holiday announced, leaping over Tanner and sprinting down the hallway.

“Okay, I’m outta here. That’s enough stretching for one day,” Ace jumped to his feet. “Radley, good to meet you without getting my ass kicked this time. Don’t forget to tell your mom, okay? Boys, some interesting positions here tonight. We need to consider adding them to our repertoire.”

I cough-choked on the sip of beer I’d just taken.

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