That Night (Coming Home To The Grove 4)

I lean against my tailgate, doing my best to not stare at Olivia with the other man.

Eventually, I give up acting like I’m not staring. I’m looking straight at the asshole that keeps putting his hands on her. This has to be the Kyle.

I put my hands deep into my jean pockets as if that’s going to stop me from punching the smile off the man with the perfect teeth and hair. Oh my God, is that Kyle Richards from the Mavericks? I squint my eyes a little to see him. It sure the fuck is. The Kyle that she’s seeing is none other than the Mavericks’ starting first baseman and the man that holds the records for most homeruns in the league. Fuck! I scream in my head. How the fuck am I supposed to compete with that?

All I want to do is track down Kyle and beat the hell out of him, but I can’t do that.

Olivia isn’t mine, and she doesn’t want me.

The orange, red, and purple flowers are long forgotten in the passenger seat of the truck now.OliviaKyle is a guy I’ve talked to a few times, but we figured out fast we made much better friends than we did anything else. He’s dropping by to make sure we’re still on for lunch to talk about our godparent duties to Brody and Rose’s child.

Kyle is always a hugger, and he’s got me locked in tight when I spot Derrick in the parking lot. I’m outside on the sidewalk in front of the vet office next to the parking lot so I’m close enough to see the very serious, concentrated look on Derrick’s face. The look only grows sterner as Kyle keeps talking. Does he know Kyle? Does he not like him for some reason?

As if Derrick’s opinion of him matters, I take a tiny step back and then realize I’m being ridiculous. He left you after having sex with you, Olivia. His opinion on anything doesn’t matter.

“I can’t believe how great you look. I’ll have to hit that gym you told me about. You’ll have to tell me about what has you so radiant over lunch. Seriously, Olivia, I could kiss you.” I turn my face, knowing he means on the cheek.

I see one of the assistants walk out with Derrick’s order, and he takes it from him easily and loads it into the back of his truck.

“If you have a minute, I’d like to talk with you, Derrick,” I say to him across the way. I’m not sure if he even heard me because he doesn’t even meet my gaze. He’s too busy staring at Kyle. “Kyle, can you wait a second?”

“Hey, no worries. I’ll let you get back to work. Just wanted to make sure we were still meeting for lunch.”

“Yes, we’re still on. Noon, right?”

“Yeah, sweetie. I’ll have to leave right after to fly out for Memphis and our next game.”

“Well, I’m not even going to tell you good luck. You can take the Barrons. I have no doubt.”

He gives me a high-five and walks over to his sports car.

I don’t even wait for him to start his car before I’m walking toward Derrick’s truck. He doesn’t look my way, and before I can reach him, he’s pulling out of the parking lot. When he pulls out on the road, he’s squealing his tires as if he can’t get away fast enough.

Well, I guess that means that today I get asshole Derrick.

Shaking my head, I start walking toward the vet’s office, and right in the parking spot where Derrick was parked is a bouquet of orange, red and purple flowers. I look at them and then at the back of Derrick’s truck as it speeds down the road away from me.

I bend and pick up the beautiful arrangement. When I look at the card, I’m shocked a little to see my name written in a tiny scrawl on the front.

I put the arrangement under my arm and open the envelope. Thank you for everything Olivia. I’m glad I met you. Derrick.

“What the—?” I say out loud.

I’m so confused.13OliviaI stew over it all morning. In between patients, I do my best to try and figure it all out, but nothing makes sense.

I have lunch with Kyle, and even he can tell I’m distracted. I assure him I’m okay, and we have a nice lunch while talking about our upcoming duties as godparents.

I work the rest of the afternoon, and finally, because I can’t take it anymore, I know I need to talk to someone, I go over to the Forest Grove Inn hoping I can talk to Lacy a little bit.

Instead of knocking on the screen door, I push it open. “Hello! Lacy, you here?” I call into the entryway.

Lacy comes from the kitchen holding a towel and wiping her hands off. “Liv, hey, I didn’t know you were coming by. It’s so good to see you,” she tells me before bringing me in for a hug.