Page 99 of Roughing the Player
“He’s a ninth grader, Ellie.”
“And what were you doing in ninth grade?”
“Not what you think I was doing. I was a late bloomer.”
I snort. “Right. This is me you’re talking to. You were legendary even in ninth grade.” He can’t get away with lying to me. Not when I know all his past sins. Well, most of them anyway.
“What’s this about, Ellie?”
“I don’t want her going to your neighbor’s house.”
“Why the hell not?”
“She can get into trouble.”
A pregnant pause. And then he explodes. “She’s twelve, for fuck’s sake.”
“And a month shy of thirteen.”
A low growl followed by a deep breath. “Look, the Johnsons are good people. And Sandra is the best. You have nothing to worry about.”
I snort. “Oh, so you’re on a first name basis with Sandra.” Figures. It probably took all of five minutes for that woman to show up at his house.
“She lives next door, Ellie. Of course, I am. You do remember how southern hospitality works.”
“I suppose she came by with a casserole.”
“Sure did. Lasagna. It was damn good too. Wait a minute. Are you jealous of her?”
Damn right I am. But he doesn’t need to know the green monster has parked itself on my shoulder and is whispering things in my ear. “Of course not.”
“She’s in her mid-forties, Ellie.”
“Like that would stop you.”
“She has two kids.”
“Uh-huh.”
“And she’s married to Tom Johnson who throws a mean barbecue. As a matter of fact, Kaylee and I have been invited to one this Saturday. If you were here, I’d ask you to bring that potato salad of yours.”
“Well, you got your wish, cowboy.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m flying down. On Friday.” I’ll be damned if I ask his permission.
“You are?” He sounds happy, but he won’t be. Once I get down there, I mean to take a piece out of him. And I’ll make sure it hurts.
“Yep. And when I fly back I’m bringing Kaylee with me.”
“But she just got here.” He sounds disappointed.
But I don’t care. I have to do the right thing for Kaylee. “And look how much trouble she’s gotten into.”
“You’re insane, woman.”
“Wait until I get down there, buster. You haven’t seen insane.”
