Page 71 of Perfect Playbook

Mom guilt. A force so powerful even men can feel it in play. It seeps through the phone with a radioactive force. I know there’s not much I can do to help. But I am off Friday so I’m ready to stand in.

I know it’s not any consolation but I’ll take him. I can stay in Longbrook all day so if anything goes wrong, I’ll be there.

A long pause. I imagine Shay in my bed…ourbed, staring across at the opposite wall at the sliver of moonlight that always makes its way into even the darkest nights. She doesn’t have to be alone anymore, talking to the moon. She has me.

It takes such a long time for her to text back, I almost think she won’t. But then…

Pastelito

I can ask my dad.

No way… Luis can’t be off the ranch all day. Work backs up fast.

Don’t I know. I grew up on a ranch. You don’t do chores for one single day, and the place is a shitstorm. Quite literally. It’s why I was raised to think hard work is a virtue and there’s no such thing as a holiday.

Pastelito

Dad will be happy to…

I don’t read the rest of her text, just swipe over to FaceTime and call.

She picks up right away, the low light of her cell making her look like an angel. God, I wish I was in that bed with her.

She whispers, “Hey…”

Antonio is sleeping across the hall. Hell, maybe he’s right there in bed with her.

I keep my voice low. “Shay, don’t put your dad out. I know he’d want to help, but if you ask he’ll for sure say yes and then he’ll get all stressed when the work backs up. Just let me do it. I’m off. The little man and I are good. We’re buds. If anything goes wrong, I’m sure he’ll be okay with me.”

Only now do I reflect on just how good things are between Nino and me. It’s all so natural. I’m slightly worried he’ll only want comfort from Shay if shit hits the fan at Longbrook, but my gut actually tells me he’s mostly excited. People with as much curiosity as that boy don’t have a lot of room for anxiety to creep in among the constant new discoveries.

Shay’s eyes are big and beautiful in this lighting. But pretty as they are, they’re still full of doubt, just like they always are nowadays.

“I don’t know,” she says, “just…”

“Just trust me, Shay.” The words come out harder than I mean. But whatever it is holding her back is starting to piss me off. “Sorry. Long day.”

“It’s fine. It’s been a long one for me, too.” She sighs. “I do trust you, Logan.”

My heart is lighter until the caveat comes.

“With Nino.”

It’s a consolation. And it does feel good. But it isn’t what I really want. I wantherto trust me, like she used to.

“Good. It’s settled then. I’ll see you Thursday night when I get back. It’s going to be all good,” I reassure her.

“Okay. You better get some sleep.”

Good luck with that.Now that I’ve seen her face, and her braless cleavage spilling out between those spaghetti strap pajamas, I won’t.

She teases. “You need the rest. Especially after getting your asses kicked.”

“You watched the game, huh?”

“Logan…” She rolls her eyes. “Of course I watched the game.”

“I did pretty well, though. Right?” Both goals were scored by me, even if we did lose.

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