Page 76 of Off Season
Me: Are you at Grammy Jane’s?
Gemma, Trey, and Fletcher spend the holidays down in Florida at her grandmother’s community.
Gemma: Yep. Happy is in rare form.
Happy is the nickname of Grammy Jane’s best friend, Harriet. She’s full of dirty jokes. I get the biggest kick out of her.
Me: Tell me. Tell me.
Gemma: Yesterday at the pool she asked me ‘what has 90 balls and fucks old ladies?’
Me: What?
Gemma: Bingo.
Me: LOL. I love Happy. Tell her that I’ll see her in February.
When we have Spring Training in Florida, we’re not far from Grammy Jane. We always make time to visit her. Grammy Jane has a fun setup with a house on the bay.
Gemma: Will do. Merry Christmas. Fingers crossed that all goes well.
Me: Same to you. Thanks.
An hour later,I’m walking off the elevator at Kam and Bailey’s apartment building. As I exit, the door across the hallway swings open, and the messy bright-orange hair of her neighbor pops out.
His face turns from a smile into something akin to violent in seconds. “Oh. It’s…you.”
I wiggle my fingers. “Hey…you.” I don’t remember his name. “Merry Christmas.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “Why are you here?”
“I’m picking up Kamryn. She’s coming home with me for the week to celebrate the holidays.”
His face falls in horror. “Oh. I didn’t realize she’d be gone.”
“Yep. Have a Merry Christmas. I hope Santa is good to you.”
He closes his door without returning any holiday sentiments. What a strange dude.
Kam’s luggage is already by the door when I walk in, which means she’s awake. She’salwaysawake. I honestly don’t know how she functions.
I yell out, “It’s time, Kam bam. Get your hot ass up and ready to board the Cheetah kidney-buster.”
I hear her voice coming from Bailey’s room. This is going to be a very long goodbye for the two of them. They’re as close as two siblings can be.
I notice a big pot on the stove with steam coming out. That’s weird. What are they making at this early hour?
I walk into Bailey’s bedroom and see them cuddled up together. Fuck, I swear my heart skips a beat every time I see Kam’s face. She’s so beautiful. Her smile lights up my universe every damn time.
The two of them cry for nearly an hour. When Kam goes to the bathroom, Bailey pulls me aside and hands me a few pills. I look down at them. “What are these?”
“Emergency pills. I’m worried about how she’s going to be on the flight. If all else fails, slip the sleeping pills into her water. I’ve had to do it two or three times. She doesn’t know about it.”
I let out a laugh. “I’m not drugging her. I’ve put a lot of thought into this.” Bailey warned me about Kam’s airplane behavior. “I’ve got a little something special in mind for her. Something I know for a fact she’ll enjoy.” I wink at her.
She gives me a knowing nod. “Ooh. Mile-high club. That’s a great idea. She’ll love it.”
“I know she will.”
