Free Playing for Kicks (Play Makers Book 5) by Kate Donovan Page B

Sean
Decker.”
    “Yeah, I don’t blame you. But I could never
hate you, and that’s the truth. You’re the sweetest, most
generous person I ever met. And”—he forced himself to add, even
though it sounded bat-shit crazy—“you’re definitely a better
lay than your sister.”
     
    • • •
     
    He had left his rental car in underground
parking, but took the elevator to the roof, knowing he could best
sort his feelings there. When he stepped into the cool sunshine and
saw the Bay Bridge, the bay itself, and the world at his feet, he
exhaled in relief.
    He was actually free. Breathing real air.
Lots and lots of air. And while he would always regret what he put
Kerrie through, he was encouraged by her response. Angry, not
broken. Glaring, not sobbing.
    In a bizarre way, he owed that to Melody. It
never would have occurred to him to call a girlfriend a great lay
or to even think of one so crudely. But these twins had a
lot in common, thanks to their sick upbringing and freakish
rivalry. And top of the list? Which one was better in bed despite
the identical nature of their vaginas.
    Bat-shit crazy.
    The air up here was crisp, all the better to
replenish the lungs of a guy who had been suffocating for weeks.
Months. So he drank it in, then remembered his responsibilities,
pulled out his phone, and called Rachel Gillette. He had dated her
briefly once upon a time, during which they had forged a
world-class friendship while she fell in love with his friend Bam
Bannerman.
    She was also Kerrie’s best friend.
    And luckily, one of the nicest and most
perceptive people in the world. Not to mention, the most beautiful
girl Sean had ever laid eyes on.
    She answered with a soft “Sean?”
    “Hey, babe,” he murmured. “Is this a bad
time?”
    “For you? Never. How was the college camp?
Vince wanted to be there, but . . .”
    “Yeah, we know. He was too busy getting busy.
With you.”
    She laughed ruefully. “You guys are so
classy. So? What’s up?”
    “I just broke up with Kerrie. Sorry, honey,
but I couldn’t take it anymore.”
    He expected her to be shocked. Maybe even
angry. But she sounded relieved when she said, “Wow. That’s just
such—well, good news, I guess. For you, obviously. And eventually
for her too. But it must have been horrible. For both of
you.”
    His heart swelled. “Thanks, Rachel. Because
yeah, I didn’t want to hurt her. But she took it pretty well.
Almost like . . .”
    “She knew, Sean. You’ve been trying for
weeks, haven’t you? And I’ve done what I could to prepare her. You
two were a mismatch from the start. I wish I never encouraged it,
but . . .”
    “Don’t do that,” he told her firmly. “You
were an amazing friend to both of us when it counted. But now? I’ve
got Erica, and John, and Bam. And my family. But Kerrie only has
one person in the whole world. And that’s you. I feel like crap
dumping it on you—”
    “I’ve seen it coming, so don’t worry. She’ll
be a basket case for a few weeks, but she’s stronger than she
seems. I’m just glad you got out. We’ve been so worried about
you.”
    “Well, don’t worry anymore. I’m feeling—well,
like I can breathe again.”
    “Oh, Sean.” Rachel’s voice resounded with
happiness. “I can’t wait to tell Vince. If that’s okay.”
    “Yeah, he’s been taking it harder than
anyone. Even me,” Sean said with a laugh. “But I want to
tell John and Erica myself, okay? So keep it to yourselves until I
get back to Portland.”
    “You’re going to the ranch?” she guessed.
“That’s perfect, Sean. Just what you need. Speaking of which
. . .”
    He felt a stab of affection, knowing the
beautiful schoolteacher didn’t want to butt in, but since she was
always the smartest person in the room, or in this case on the
roof, she probably had some stellar advice. “Say it, babe.”
    “Don’t hate me, but I’m so thrilled you’ve gotten out of this quicksand. So don’t dive back in.
Promise? You know