Page 63 of Off Season

Arizona is on the other side of the world. With Layton massively depressed without her, she asked us all to stay in town to spend Thanksgiving with him. Quincy is hosting. Should be interesting.

“Home as in California?” I ask.

She nods. “My mom knows what I’m going through more than anyone else. I need her right now.”

June raised Ripley as a single mother. I don’t think Ripley even knows the name of her father. She’s definitely never met him. June loves Ripley so deeply that it’s almost palpable when you’re around the two of them.

Like Ripley, June is a tall, gorgeous redhead. Mama June, as I call her, was here a few weeks ago visiting. I think she banged the Cougars’ sexy coach, Dutton Steel, when she was in town. While Ripley is often embarrassed by some of her mother’s provocative antics, I know they’re extremely close and have always relied on each other. She’s lucky to have a mom like June. I would kill for that.

Suddenly panicked, I ask, “How long do you plan to stay with her?”

Ripley sighs as her face falls. “Indefinitely, Kam. I need her. I can’t do this alone.”

I swallow down the lump in my throat. “Does Arizona know?”

She shakes her head. “I want to tell her in person. I owe her that much after sneaking around with her brother for so long. She’ll be back toward the end of next month. I’ll fly in to have this conversation with her face to face.”

I sit down on the sofa and pull her into a hug. “I love you and I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”

She hugs me back. “Thank you. I love you too. For now, I need to spend the day crying. Tomorrow, I’ll need help starting to pack everything.”

I nod. “How about ice cream andTop Gun?”Top Gunis Ripley’s favorite movie.

She happily agrees, and we give her the fun, girly afternoon she desperately needs.

CHAPTER TWELVE

KAMRYN

Ismile at Evan as I approach Cheetah’s building. I’ve been here a lot over the past few weeks, and Evan has become my buddy. He’s the sweetest man. He kind of reminds me of my father. With the holidays approaching, I’m really missing my dad. If our mother wasn’t in the picture, Bailey and I would get to spend the holidays with him, but the thought of spending time with her is triggering for me and, for reasons I will never understand, he won’t leave her alone.

I stop when I get to Evan. “Hey, buddy. How’s it hanging?”

In a polite tone, he answers, “A little to the left tonight, Ms. Hart. Thanks for asking.”

I love that Evan indulges my inappropriate questions. I think his years around Cheetah have desensitized him.

“Fantastic. I’ve heard that the right side is much trickier. Any big plans for Thanksgiving tomorrow?”

He nods. “I get off work at six. Then my wife and I will go to our daughter’s house for dinner with her and her family. Of course, we’ll also be watching the Camels game.”

“Oh right, they play tomorrow night.” That’s why Vance and Daylen couldn’t come to Thanksgiving dinner.

“And your plans?” he asks.

“We’re all going to a friend’s house.” We’re going to Quincy’s. We’re only doing it for Arizona. He’s persona non-grata with our crew right now. “Have you seen the birthday boy today?”

Evan lifts his eyebrow. “He’s been wearing a crown and pink birthday girl sash all day, telling everyone he passes that it’s his birthday.”

I let out a laugh. “That sounds like him. He likes being the center of attention.”

Evan fights a smile. “I’ve indulged him by calling him Sir Cruz Gonzales, Knight of South Philly, all day. It’s the one day each year I call him that.”

“You’re so good to him. I’m sure he loved it.”

We hear Cheetah shout, “I sure did. I need to get more people to call me that.”

I feign shock. “Don’t you love it more when I call you kitten?”

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