The Other Game (The Perfect Game 4)

“She was, but she hates driving it. She calls it his deathmobile.” I tried to smile and hoped they bought my lame excuse. “So instead of having it sit there all weekend, I’m going to get it.”

“Okay,” she said slowly, thinking it over. “Then who’s picking him up on Sunday?”

Shit. I’d forgotten about that part. “I am. Cassie has some big photography project she’s working on all weekend.”

“All right. Drive safe,” Gran said, then added under her breath, “It is sort of a deathmobile.”

“I like that car. Truck. Whatever it is,” Gramps muttered as he lifted the remote to change the channel.

When Melissa’s car pulled up out front a few minutes later, I shouted good-bye and jogged outside.

“Hey,” she said with a smile, and I wished like hell that friends were allowed to make out. Her short shorts crept up on her thighs as she pressed down on the gas, and I wanted to rest my hand there more than anything else in this moment.

I tore my eyes away from her legs and looked at the road. “Thanks again for doing this. I really appreciate it.”

“I wasn’t doing anything anyway. And Cassie’s being unreasonable and annoying right now, so I was happy to get away.”

“Any idea why she’s being extra difficult?” I couldn’t help but be curious since I didn’t know much about Cassie’s personal history, other than the bits and pieces I’d overheard.

Melissa sighed. “I think she’s comparing Jack to her dad, and her dad’s basically a giant liar. I don’t think she realizes that she’s making Jack pay for her dad’s sins, but that seems to be what she’s doing. Or maybe it’s somehow wrapped up in it.”

I completely understood. Jack and I were both well versed in Fucked Up by Your Parents 101.

Nodding, I asked, “Did you try to tell her that?”

Melissa frowned at me before looking back at the road. “Of course I tried to tell her that, but she won’t listen. She has to come to that conclusion on her own. It can’t come from me,” she said grimly.

“You know he’s going to flip out when he gets home Sunday and she’s not there to pick him up.” Usually I looked forward to picking Jack up after his trips, but thanks to all the drama, this time I was dreading it.

“I know. I’ll be prepared for all hell to break loose at some point on Sunday.” She ran her fingers through her hair before tossing it over her shoulder. “You know, you could do me a solid and send me a text when you pick him up. That way I can mentally prepare myself for his arrival.”

I huffed out a small laugh. “How are you so sure he’ll come there?”

“Are you kidding?” She shot me a look that said I’d lost my mind. “Of course he’ll come there. He’ll come straight there. Don’t tell me I know your brother better than you do,” she said before making a right into the complex.

I glanced around, looking for Jack’s truck as she pulled into her covered spot and cut the engine. “No, you’re right. He’ll come right over. And he won’t be happy.”

“His truck’s over there.” She pointed somewhere behind us and off to the right, and I scanned the area before seeing it. “And his keys are in here.” She popped open her glove compartment before pulling them out and placing them in my palm.

“Thanks again for the ride.”

I got out of her car and started to wave good-bye but was stunned when she walked over and wrapped her arms around my waist. Her head pressed against my chest, and I instinctively weaved my fingers through her hair.

“You’re welcome,” she said before letting me go. “Don’t forget about that text.”

“I won’t,” I promised.

Melissa walked a few steps away but paused and turned around to look at me, conflict in her eyes. Then her eyes hardened, and she spun around to head toward her apartment.

Just when I started to think we might be having a moment, it ended before it began.

Damage Control

I sat in Jack’s truck, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel as I waited for the team bus to arrive. To be honest, I wasn’t excited about the conversation that lay ahead of us. Jack wasn’t going to be happy to see me in his truck instead of Cassie. Hell, I knew he’d be confused more than anything.

The bus pulled into the parking lot, huffing out black smoke, and my nerves surged. I got out of the truck as the brakes squealed loudly and the bus came to a stop. A moment later, the team started piling out one after the other at a sluggish pace.

I saw Jack before he saw me, his face expectant as he scanned the parking lot for his vehicle. When he noticed me leaning against it, his expression fell, and he gave me a small nod of acknowledgment.