Chapter 47
FORTY-SEVEN
olivia
“Hey, Olivia.”
I sighed, and then quickly smiled in an attempt to mask my displeasure. Maddy headed my way, and I had no one with me to help deflect her attention.
“Maddy, how are you?” She leaned in for an air-kiss, and my half-assed return had just as much enthusiasm as her fake one.
“I’m great. My baby sister is going to be in town. And she has the biggest crush on your houseguest. I hoped you could hook her up with an introduction?”
Oh, hell fucking no.
“When is she in town?” I asked, hoping that it was during an away series.
“Next week.”
“Ah, that’s too bad. Nate has family in town. He’ll be busy.”
“She’s staying until September.”
Fuck. I’d nearly ripped the fans’ throats out at the game, and they were nowhere near Nate.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to check with Nate. I think he’s seeing someone. What’s her story?” I asked, feigning interest and trying my best to pretend that I cared.
“She took a year off from college to pursue modeling.”
Oh, hell no. “Ah. Any success?”
“Not yet. But she’s had some success with social media.”
“Good for her.” Did I sound like I cared? I hoped not. Dear Lord, get me out of this conversation now.
“Will he be at your annual pool party?” Maddy reminded me about my annual end-of-season pool party, which I normally send invitations for by now. Ugh. I’m so far behind, but lucky me, everyone knows it happens even if they don’t receive the official card in the mail.
“I’m not sure.” I mentally weighed the benefit of planning the party when he and Austin were in town, even if only to have another adult to support me through the chaos. If I’d known it would become the event, I would have gone back in time and never have had the first party.
“Well, the kids would love it.”
“I’m sure.” The last thing I wanted was for Nate and Austin to be the spectacle or treated like special guests in their own home.
Thank God the game ended. The boys streamed off the field, and Cooper was ready to go.
“What do you want for dinner tonight?” I asked. I had worked late, and we ran straight to the ballpark.
“Pizza?” he asked hopefully.
“Sure.”
Me: Maddy, Queen of the Vipers, can’t wait to set you up with her sister.
Nate: And how did you answer that?
Me: I told her I thought you were seeing someone.
Me: And she asked if you would be at my end-of-season pool party.
Nate: When’s the party?
Me: I haven’t picked a date.
Nate: I’d like to be there.
Why would he want to subject himself to that torture?
Me: It’s all baseball parents. And other real estate agents…
Nate: Okay. And it’s at the house?
Me: Yes.
Nate: Okay. I’m going to help. Unless you don’t want my help.
I had been throwing this party for the last several years. The most help I had was from Cooper, who skimmed the pool ten minutes before our guests arrived. I wanted his help. God, I wanted him to help with so much.
Me: Okay. But if you flirt with Maddy’s sister, someone is going to die.
Nate: I won’t even look at her.
Me: Jason sometimes comes…
Nate: Nice of him to show up for something.
Nate: Gotta go. Headed out to the field.
Me: I’ll be watching. Hit one for me.