Ten
OLIVER
“Are you here for the tournament?” A small brunette pops out from behind a desk wearing cat ears and matching face paint, smiling too wide.
“Tournament?” I ask as I run my hands through my hair to loosen up the curls from where the helmet pressed them in. I scan the room the best I can with the lighting to find Dad. No luck though.
“It’s the monthly Scrabble tournament. Today we also have the Halloween fellowship afterwards. Best chili you will ever have!” She still hasn’t dropped the creepy smile and something about her is just unsettling, too happy.
“Mary, please remember to give new guests time to breathe before bombarding them with questions.” An older woman comes up from behind me to wrap a delicate hand over the tiny girl's shoulder. Mary scatters off back behind the desk, leaving me facing off with the other woman. She holds her hand out to me and her smile instantly relaxes the tension building in the back of my neck. “I’m Cheryl and you are much too handsome to be here. These women are too old and feral for you to handle.” A full laugh rumbles out of my chest and I shake her hand gently.
“I’m looking for my dad actually.” I give her an easy smile. Cheryl folds her hands together delicately, searching my face for a long moment before her eyes spark in what I think is recognition. Which would be impossible because I’ve never met her before in my life.
“Of course! You look just like him. Strong genes.” She winks at me before tilting her head to the side.
“Edward is this way.” She starts walking into the room, and it all makes sense what the woman at the desk was trying to say earlier.
There are tables lining each wall with two chairs on each end and a Scrabble board set up.
“Edward?” I have never heard anyone other than the lady at the bank call my father that.
“He hates it,” she beams. “And I love watching him huff and puff.” This woman is a menace, I can already tell.
And I don’t know if I should be scared or elated that she seems to enjoy riling up my father.
She stops short of the table in the corner where Dad is sitting and playing against an old man, fully focused.
“Edward, imagine my surprise when I find a younger looking you wandering around like a lost puppy.” Her words are laced with sarcasm but Dad smiles without looking up. Cheryl steps back to wrap her arm around me and pats my cheek. “Poor boy.”
“Cheryl.” Dad greets her as he finishes laying the tiles down for a word and writes his score down.
“About time you got here, Oliver.” He doesn’t even look up at me as he greets me.
He says something to the man sitting across from him before standing up.
Everything about my dad seems normal but I am still confused about what I am doing here.
“Should we pair him up with Ethel?” I follow his line of sight to a frail woman in a wheelchair across the room.
“Absolutely not. That would be a massacre. Don’t be rude.
” She scoffs at my father and I chuckle.
I don’t know who this woman is, but she might be one of my new favorite people.
“Let us pair him with Pru. She’ll just talk to him about how handsome he is and try to pair him up with her granddaughter.
Easily distracted.” She peers up at me through her full lashes.
“It would be an easy win, darling.” She grins.
“I need him to get better, not just take easy wins.” Dad argues. I have to do a double take at the serious tone in his voice.
“Better to ease him into the tournament.” She glances at her watch that is diamond encrusted.
Who is this woman? “We start in ten minutes. Go and get him settled then.” She tries to shoo Dad away but places her hand on my arm, “I’ll get him some punch and a snack.
Oliver I hope you like cherry lemon squares.
It’s my best recipe.” I watch Cheryl walk away towards maybe what is the kitchen.
She’s wearing a muted gold dress and her hair is a faint blonde.
She walks like her feet aren’t even touching the ground, more like floating.
Looking over at where my dad is still standing, I raise an eyebrow.
“Cheryl owns a third of the historic district and several art galleries. Her family has been in real estate for generations. Don’t let her scare you.
She’s an angel. Just has a sharp tongue.
” Dad motions around the whole room. “She comes in once a month and transforms this whole building into something else just to give the residents something to look forward to.” He pushes me to start walking.
“I come to get better so I can beat Avery.” Sneaky bastard.
“She doesn’t know, does she?” I don’t even have to ask because I know she doesn’t. AJ would lose her mind if she knew Dad came to a secret Scrabble club to practice to beat her. They take their Scrabble games way too seriously for the rest of us to even dare play with them.
His face drops with momentary fear of the tiny girl he’s practically raised. “Don’t you dare tell her either.” He threatens. But I wouldn’t dare. Knowing this is much too fun to ruin.
“Why am I here?” We are almost across the room and I can feel the shift in the air as the preparation for the matches start. Who knew that old people would be so pressed over a board game?
“I need reinforcements. Melinda wants to do a tournament for Thanksgiving this year. Since Rory and Avery are together, she wants to do a gym family meal together. And I think she wants to do something nice for Avery. She has no idea how vicious our girl gets over her favorite game. And I hate losing. Eli doesn’t care enough to bring competition to the table.
Maxwell would rat us out. Mia is loyal to Avery.
And Rory has to train.” He points to me, “you’re my soldier.
” I’m trying my best to not die laughing at the way my dad is acting right now, but it’s a losing battle.
A chuckle escapes my throat. “You’ve lost your mind.”
“Help me beat her.” His words are half request and half demand. And I have to admit, watching AJ lose her shit over having to work harder to beat us both will be hilarious.
“Sure Dad. I’ll play this tournament if you really think that will help set her back so you can beat her.” He is ridiculous, but he’s my dad. And I will never forget everything he gave up for us. If doing something like this makes him happy, I’ll gladly do it.
He squeezes my shoulder, smiling proudly, before making his way back to his match.
I sit down across from Pru and her face lights up when she notices me.
“Look at you!” She nearly knocks her cup of coffee over as she throws her hand out gesturing to where I am sitting.
“I have a granddaughter. Probably your type.” Probably not.
My mind immediately went to a vicious, wild blonde that I am desperate to get on the back of my bike again.
Something about riding around with her quieted the messy chaos in both our brains and I am craving that feeling again.
I crave a lot when it comes to her. But she is working hard to keep her distance and I’m letting her until I figure out why.
“Hi, Pru. My name is Oliver.” I reach over and subtly move her cup out of the zone for her to knock it over.
“That’s a good name. A strong name.” She nods tightly.
“Alison is my sweet granddaughter's name. Do you like that name?” Cheryl was right.
I almost feel bad beating this woman in a simple board game.
I glance back over to where Dad is sitting and he gives me a nod that is clearly meant to tell me to win.
“Here you go, darling.” Cheryl appears near our table and places a plate of dessert, a small glass of punch, and a bottle of water down next to me.
She bends down and kisses my cheek. “Don’t feel bad about winning.
The rest of these old vampires are more than willing to beat you.
” She whispers before standing back up fully and smiling softly at Pru.
“Can I get you anything?” Pru shakes her head and Cheryl starts making a round about the room checking on every one.
My pocket vibrates. When I pull my phone out, I don’t even try to stop the smirk from lifting my lips.
Mia
My date kind of makes me think of you.
Oliver
Weird because I was just thinking about you.
Mia
It’s a Wednesday. Don’t flirt with me.
Oliver
What does Wednesday have to do with it?
“It’s rude to always be on your phone. Alison does that too. You’ll definitely get along.” Pru plays her first word and guilt runs through me. I don’t want to be rude, but I also have no control over checking my phone again. So I move my phone down to my lap to be less obvious.
Mia
Why were you thinking about me?
Oliver
Pru told me that her granddaughter is probably my type.
Mia
So another girl made you think of me?
Oliver
Your date made you think of me. What’s worse?
She sent a picture of her and my brother walking into a tattoo shop. She’s on a date with my brother… I’m an idiot.
Oliver
Fair point. In my defense, I don’t even know what her granddaughter looks like, but I know she isn’t my type. Which is why I was thinking of you.
I almost regret my words because it's probably too honest for her. I play a word on the board while Pru continues to rattle on about her granddaughter that I’m paying no attention to.
Mia
I’m not your type.
Oliver
What tattoo are you getting?
I ignore her comment because we both know she is exactly my type. Even though she is dead set on going on new dates, I know I am her type too. The attraction between us is hauntingly there.
Mia
Your name on my left ass cheek.
Oliver
Sexy. Send pictures.
Mia
You want to see my ass?
Oliver
Again? Absolutely.
Mia
Don’t remind me.
Oliver
Is that what you thought about when you had to go home and take care of yourself after your date with Davey? How my hands traced the curves of your ass under your dress when we danced?
If Mia was in front of me right now, she might hit me. But she’s not. And I’m feeling brave.
Pru finally plays another word and I’m quick to respond with a high point word that even AJ would be proud of.
I used to play with her a lot late on nights when she couldn’t sleep.
It was never about winning though. Her brain just shuts off when she plays Scrabble and I know how important that is to her.
Mia
I don’t know what you are talking about.
Oliver
Keep pretending, pretty girl. I’m okay with it.
I watch her start to type three different times before she gives up on responding.
I go back to my game with Pru. I learn that Alison is a vet tech but wants to travel.
She has red hair and is apparently a really good singer.
I learn more than I ever want to know about this girl.
And all I can picture is some other guy's hands on Mia’s body while she is getting whatever tattoo she is getting.
Ever since she got that viper for AJ, she has an unbearable itch for new ink.
We should have known that would happen though.
She loves everything and her brain never stops.
She always has a new thing to try or obsess over. And she’s impulsive.
I’ve never played a Scrabble tournament before, but I feel like this one is very lenient on the rules of play.
Pru hasn’t made a move in ten minutes. She has shown me nearly every picture of Alison on her phone though.
I’ve checked my phone a few more times waiting to see if Mia will actually show me the picture of whatever she has gotten done.
We don’t text a lot. And it’s normally her sending me her newest Pinterest board saves for something she thinks would look cute in my house.
I remember AJ telling me that I should let her do projects on the house.
I would be more than happy to let her back in my home.
I just need to figure out a way to have her there that won’t result in her running away.
My phone lights up again with a picture of her nose, but it now has a cute little hoop in it. Another picture comes through and it is the same hoop but a different nose.
Oliver
Did you get a matching piercing with my brother?
Mia
Of course I did. He wouldn’t get my name on his ass. This was the next best thing.
Oliver
He doesn’t need your name on his ass. The nose ring is cute as fuck.
Mia
Would you get my name on your ass?
Oliver
Do you want me to?
Mia
Yes.
Oliver
You think I’m bluffing?
Mia
Your new girlfriend probably wouldn’t like it.
Oliver
Are you jealous, pretty girl?
Mia
Never.
Cheryl and Dad start walking up together and I check the board. Pru still hasn’t played a new word. She just keeps rearranging her letters.
“I’m afraid Oliver is the winner by default in this match.” Pru sighs then grabs her coffee and looks over at me.
She takes a sip before asking, “Do you want me to give Alison your number?” I have to give the old bat credit, she’s persistent.
I grip my phone a little tighter. Mia might want to pretend this isn’t happening between us, but I won’t.
She’s trying to prove something to herself.
And if I understand anything, it’s feeling the need to prove something.
She can go on as many dates as she wants.
According to AJ, nothing ever happens because Mia can’t get me out of her head.
Fucking same. She is always a menacing presence in my thoughts.
“I actually have a girlfriend. I’m sorry. She sounds like a very sweet girl though.” I try to let her down easily.
Dad looks at me skeptically, but I know he won’t question my lie until later. He’s always in my corner, with everything.
“Time for your next match. This one will be harder. Pay attention.” Dad orders before Cheryl leads me over to a new table.
What a weird fucking Wednesday. I check my phone one more time before I sit down at the new table. She hasn’t texted back though and I know she won’t.