"Oh, don’t you worry." I smirk at him, then wink. "I’m keeping score."
Chapter 13
Cooper
My phone rings and I snap it up from the island, seeing it’s Erika. "Good afternoon," I greet her.
"Happy divorce party day!” she shouts and I smile thinking how excited she is for tonight. "The party planner is on the way over."
"Where are you?" I ask and she laughs.
"I’m at the spa getting pampered and exfoliated. It’s my relax day."
"I thought Sunday was your relax day?" I remind her.
"Well, this week Sunday is my recovery day," she says and then her voice goes low. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore," I reply. We had a game against Washington last night and it was more physical than anything else, but at least we are off until Tuesday.
"How’s the wrist?" she asks, and I look down and rotate it.
"I can move it. So I guess it’s okay."
"I can’t believe you dropped the gloves," she hisses. "What are you, seven?"
I laugh. "He called me a pussy."
"I call you a pussy all the time," she snorts and I laugh.
"It’s not the same thing and you know it. What do I need to do for tonight?" I ask, putting my plate in the dishwasher.
"You need to be dressed at six," she says, and I close the dishwasher and pick up a chocolate cupcake that she made two days ago. "I’ll be there when I’m done."
"You better be here before everyone else," I say. "I hate parties."
"Relax, I have to go, see you later." She hangs up and I finish the cupcake. Coming home and seeing her in the kitchen, I was shocked she was cooking. Only she would cook spaghetti in a pink skirt and white top. We sat and ate dinner together and it was so good. She gave the kids a bath while I cleaned the kitchen and then left barefoot, with her shoes in her hand.
The doorbell rings and I walk over opening it and see a man dressed in a suit as he smiles at me. "Mr. Grant," he says, holding out his hand. "I’m Geraldo, the party planner." He smiles and slaps his hand. "Are you excited for the big day?"
"Oh, yeah," I respond, looking out and seeing five vans pull up. "Is that for here?"
"It is." He smiles. "Just leave it up to me. Erika and I did a run-through yesterday afternoon," he says and I have to laugh.
"Well, if you need anything, you call her." I walk back to the kitchen and grab a water bottle and head to the exercise room that I bought with the house. All the equipment was brand new. I get on the treadmill and text her.
Me: Your man has arrived and he’s very excited.
Erika: Which man? I obviously have so many I can’t keep track.
Me: Geraldo.
Erika: Let him work his magic.
Me: I’m in the gym.
Erika: Good, you need to work out that frustration you have. You know what else helps with that. (winky face)
I shake my head and laugh at her, I run for over an hour, the noise from downstairs gets louder and louder. I avoid even going down there when I get out of the gym and head straight to my bedroom. Heading straight to the bathroom, I climb in the shower when my phone beeps and I pick it up seeing it’s from Erika.
Erika: I got you a present. It’s in your closet. See you soon.
“What in the world?” I question, walking to my walk-in closet and seeing the big white box.
"This was not here this morning." I grab it and take it out and when I open it there is a note on top.
Wear this tonight. A brand-new start.
I grab the black dress shirt and then see the matching pants. Grabbing the shoebox and seeing the black dress shoes.
The note on the top sticks out. I open it and laugh.
These will have you kicking the girls away.
I shake my head and grab the red jewelry box. Opening it, I see that it’s a bracelet that looks like it’s braided together. The square clasp has the C engraved.
I hold it in my hand and then grab the note.
Brighter days ahead.
E
I hear the doorbell ring and then look over and see it’s six o’clock. I get dressed in the outfit she picked for me. Along with my Tom Ford belt, the bracelet right next to the Rolex she gave me. I walk to the bathroom and run my hands through my hair and then spray on my cologne.
Walking out of my room, I head downstairs and stop when I see the gold balloons placed in front of the stairs.
DIVORCED AF
I laugh and then the door opens and I see Manning coming in holding his wife’s hand. "Holy shit," he says, looking at the balloons. "Erika did that?"
"What do you think?" I say as he comes over and extends his hand. "Thank you for coming." I bend to kiss his wife on the cheek.