Page 70 of Play to Win

“Right.Okay.I’ll be out on the deck.”

Yeah, I watch her walk out there because her ass in those little shorts is fucking hot and ...those legs.

When my coffee’s ready, I grab it and join her on the deck.The morning is foggy and cool, the ocean almost obscured by pearly white mist.I set my mug on the table then go back inside to grab a blanket for Lacey.

She gives me a startled look when I hand it to her.

“What?”

She just shakes her head.I get it.It’s morning.No words.

She wraps herself up in the blanket and I take another chair, propping my feet on the railing.I’m wearing sweatpants and a long-sleeved tee, so I’m not cold.It’s kind of cool, seeing the ocean in different ways.I’d love to see a big storm with crashing waves.That’d be killer.

We sip our coffee silently.Finally, Lacey speaks.“It never stops.”

“What?”

“The ocean.The waves never stop.”She takes another mouthful of coffee.“And it’s so weird to think that way, way out there are other continents.Other people.”

“Uh-huh.”

“You can’t even see them.”

I nod.

“And there are whales out there.All kinds of living creatures.We can’t see them either.”

“That is true.”

She sighs.“So.”

Okay, this is it.The talk.

“I know I have to leave, since you and Emma are getting back together.”

I spew coffee out my mouth and nose.I choke.I cough.I wipe my face.“What the fuck?”

“You said she wanted to get back together.”

“Shedoes.I don’t.”I shake my head vigorously.“Are you kidding me?After what she did?I’d never take her back.”

Lacey bites her lip.“Are you sure?Maybe you could have a second chance with her.”

I frown.“I don’t want a second chance with her.That was never what this was about.I just didn’t want to feel like a big loser walking into that gathering with her there and everyone feeling sorry for me.”

“I don’t think you needed me for that,” she says quietly.

I tilt my head.“You’re probably right.Having a beautiful woman on my arm doesn’t make me a better man.”

“You were the better man because you were gracious about it.”

“But I did need you there.”

She rolls her head against the back of the chair and looks at me.“You did?”

“Yeah.I almost lost it a few times.When Dad and Grandpa were barking at each other.When Everly and Riley were snarking at each other.When Dad insulted me.And about ten other times.Having you there calmed me down.”

She blinks.“I knew you were getting pissed.”

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