Chapter 25 Dom

Chapter 25

Dom

Our win against Atlanta this afternoon put us in contention for the wildcard race. With just four weeks left of the regular season, it’s crunch time. Everyone needs to be at the top of their game for us to pull this off. And that would be a hell of a lot easier for me if Indie hadn’t been avoiding me for the last four days.

Her texts have been short and sweet but she’s avoided the house when I’m around, only stopping by to love on Ronnie and swim when she knows I’m at the stadium. Which by default means she’s not coming to games with the girls. I know they’re worried and I don’t blame them, but I’m in no position to tell Indie what to do.

I’m giving her one more day and then I’m tracking her down. But first I have a bingo game to win. My ass is going to stay parked at my lucky table, my daubers lined up just how I like them, and my lucky thong nestled between my ass cheeks.

Surrounded by all my best girls I’m ready to take home another W today. Well, almost all of my girls. There is one notably missing; the feisty brunette who’s ruled my thoughts for longer than I should admit .

Ronnie’s at my feet and Nana Janet sits across from me. I’m flanked by the rest of our bingo crew, Lark and Stephanie. I met the two of them when I started volunteering at Sunny Acres and introduced them to Janet when she moved.

We’re a ragtag crew, but with them by my side, I can’t lose. At the front of the Sunny Acres Senior Center, Bev is calling bingo tonight. The longtime Bandits employee always entertains, whether she’s slinging beers in the concession stands or volunteering as MC.

“Who’s getting lucky tonight?” Bev asks over the mic, sending a chorus of cheers through the room. “I’m happy for all of you, really, but I was talking about the game. We all know what you get up to after. Just remember your safe word and if you can’t remember it, write it on your partner’s forehead or back, whatever tickles your pickle.” Her teal bob swings around her shoulders as she looks pointedly around the room.

“Get the daubers ready over there. You’re on a hot streak with that home run and that adorable girl at your feet. But I’m going to give you a run for your money,” Hendrix’s grandma instructs, a piece of cheese innocently slipping from her hand and landing at my feet for Ronnie. “Oops.”

“Locked and loaded, Janet.” I busy myself crafting an equidistant rainbow of brightly colored markers around my cards.

Bev’s voice rings out across the room as she kicks off the first game of the night. “Y’all are in good hands tonight. I’ll have you know, I’m excellent with balls, and the first one of the night is B13.”

Grabbing my teal marker I dot the square on my board.

“My granddaughter’s been asking about you again,” Lark says, on my right. “She calls me every Thursday around breakfast since you took her to that housewarming party. I suppose I should thank you for that, but she says you told her it wasn’t going to work because you were hung up on the one that got away.”

I listen to the numbers, my eyes scanning the cards in front of me, dotting as we go .

“Um, yeah. That’s true.” I glance up to find Janet staring me down with her eyebrow raised. Shit.

She can’t know who we’re talking about. If Dean and Mia never got together last winter, Indie would have taken the story of that night to the grave. As it is, they’re the only two of our friends that know any of the details about that night. The others have guessed, but as far as I know, Indie hasn’t even confirmed it to Poppy. Such a fucking temptress, the way she played me and Dean off each other.

As if Ronnie can hear my thoughts, she whines, burying her nose under her paws.

“Look at you. Just one more and you’ll be the first winner of the night. Some people have all the luck. That pretty face, a well-trained dog, and a bingo win. Didn’t anyone ever teach you to share?” Stephanie pushes her glasses down and looks over them at me.

I cough at the irony of that question considering where my mind just was. “Did you make that chain yourself, with Bandits’ colors just for me?” I nod to the beaded strand her glasses are attached to.

“And cocky too. I guess you can’t be perfect.” She hmpfs and one bony finger presses her glasses back into place. “This is for Xavier. He’s got what the kids call junk in his trunk.”

“Ouch! Taking shots at my personality and my tushy, Steph,” I tease, daubing my winning number. “Bingo!” My voice breaks through the chatter of the Senior Center.

“Not again,” Fiona groans from the table over. “Janet, I told you to stop inviting him. He’s a distraction and a lucky SOB.”

“Mind your business, you busybody. He’s one of the girls. I’m not kicking him out and you can’t make me,” Janet chirps back.

With my winnings for the night signed over to Saving Paws, I head back to the house, a little more spring in my step after a night well spent. That spring turns into a full-blown gallop when I see the car parked in my driveway.

Putting the car into park in the garage, I look over at Ronnie, who’s watching me expectantly, and pat her head. “She’s back, girl.”