Page 76 of Spotlight
“Fuck, Olivia.” His eyes flutter closed. “I don’t want to be a gentleman right now.”
I don’t want him to be either.
He buries his head in the crook of my neck and places a soft kiss to my collarbone before whispering, “To be continued, I hope.”
Once he sets me down, he opens the door and steps out. He looks back once, aiming that playful smirk at me. And then he’s gone.
17
FLYNN
“To Baby Holland!” Brogan lifts his beer into the air.
“I’m going to be thirty and still be calledBabyHolland,” I say with a shake of my head, but a smile slips free anyway.
My brothers came to my game again this afternoon and the five of us are having a rare night out. I’ve missed them, but it’s inevitable when we’re together that we fall back into our old roles. Which means, I’m the little kid they all want to tease and poke at playfully.
Maybe I’m just sensitive to it after everything with baseball. My age and my experience always seem to come back to bite me. To be fair, we all do it to each other, so I can’t really complain.
“Better than being the old man of the group,” Hendrick says to me.
“That’s true. Tell me, have you started drinking Ensure yet? Taking a multivitamin? How about anti-aging moisturizer?” If I’m going to take it, you better believe I’m going to dish it right back.
“And don’t forget the sunscreen,” Archer pipes up.
“Fuck all of you.” Hendrick hides his grin behind his glass as he takes a long drink of his soda.
“Anybody want to throw some darts?” Archer asks as he stands.
“I’m in.” Hendrick gets to his feet.
So does Brogan. “Me too.”
The three of them head across the bar to the dart boards and billiards. Knox waits until they’re gone to turn to me.
“Nice game today,” he says.
“Thanks.” We didn’t win, but I threw better than I have in practice all week, so I’m not totally dissatisfied with my performance.
I check my phone, more out of habit than anything. And maybe a little hopefulness. I haven’t heard from Olivia since last week. I’m doing my best to give her space, but it is not easy.
“I didn’t see Dad today,” Knox says as he takes another drink.
“He’s still out of town.”
“Still?” There’s a challenge in Knox’s voice any time the conversation revolves around our dad.
“It hasn’t been that long.” I let out a short laugh and shake my head. “I don’t get you. You’re pissed if he’s hanging around and you’re pissed if he’s not.”
“How I feel doesn’t matter. How are you? I know you’ve gotten close to him, and I remember what it’s like when he flakes out.”
“I’m fine.” I take a drink, not loving the line of questions and not understanding exactly why. “He took a trip with Terri and some friends. It’s not a big deal.”
“Okay,” Knox says in a way that means he’s dropping it…for now.
The back of my neck flushes with heat. I know our dad wasn’t perfect, but he’s different now. He’s trying and that’s good enough for me.
“I hear you’re dating Sabrina’s friend. What’s her name? Olivia?”
