Blake (Season One: The Ninth Inning #2) by Lindsay Paige, Mary Smith Page A

Jack, he turned around and talked to Mom. She thought that Caroline could use some female friends. That’s all, Blake. They want to be her friend. I swear.”
    “You have no business sticking your nose into our lives. You need to stay out of it. They want to have lunch with my mom, fine, but don’t you fucking dare bring up my family again. Do I make myself clear?” I can’t believe her! Who does she think she is, thinking she can interfere with something she knows nothing about?
    “Blake, I’m trying to help your mother and you. Your father isn’t a good man.” As if I don’t know this. “My parents can help. They know people who can help. I’m trying to be a good friend.”
    “We don’t need your help!” I shout. “I don’t know why you can’t get it through your thick skull that we don’t need help from some billionaire or his family. You want to be a good friend, then stay the hell out of it.”
    Sofia yells right back. “So, you would rather see your mother on the eleven o'clock news after your father beats her to death? Or worse, you end up jail because you killed him, instead of taking help from people who care about you and want to be your friend! Is that what you want?”
    “You don’t think I’ve tried to help her?” I yell, pissed at how she obviously thinks I’m not doing anything to help my mother. It suddenly hits me what I’ve said. That might as well be an admission. I gather my fury and control my tone. “Sofia, I’m not going to tell you again. You don’t know what’s going on, and I’d appreciate it if you would just do as I asked. Can you do that or not?”
    “Talk to me. Please. My mother wants nothing more than to be your mother’s friend. I want nothing more than to be your friend. Please, Blakey, talk to me.”
    “You should have thought about that before you crossed the line. I’m not objecting to the lunch itself, but you—” I pause, shaking my head at her actions. “I’m pissed at you and I don’t see it changing anytime soon.”
    “You’re right, I did cross a line. You need to know that I did because I was helping you. I care about you, Blake, and I want to be there for you. Please know that.”
    How badly she wants it renders me silent. I can hear it in her voice, but overall, it doesn’t change things. “Your only saving grace is that my mom is excited about something for a change.”
    “My mother is a kindhearted person. She’s doing it out of kindness and she really wants to meet your mother and get to know her. That’s all. I swear it, Blakey,” she reassures me.
    “Okay, then. I gotta go.”
    “I was only trying to help. I wasn’t trying to hurt or upset you,” she rushes out before I can hang up.
    Resigned, I reply, “I know, Sofia. Bye.” I hang up without waiting for a reply.

 
     
    FOR THE PAST three days, I’ve used more concealer than I have in my whole life. I should have known not to push Blake. I’m as impatient as Harmony is at a purse sale. After I touch up my makeup, I click my mirror shut and wash my hands. Tanner is due in for another leg rub down. I pray he’s wearing shorts.
    My cell phone rings and I quickly answer.
    “Want some lunch?”
    “I’m not very hungry, Harmony. Plus, I can’t leave right now.”
    “I’ll bring it to you. I bet you want a delicious, gooey, cheesy pizza.” I smile at her description and slurring sound.
    “Sure. Okay. I’ll tell security you’re coming. I’ll be in my office.” I hang up and call the front office to let them know that Harmony will be here soon.
    As I’m finishing, Tanner comes in with his clothes on. I think he finally got the memo that clothes are mandatory in my office. I rub down his legs, listening to his constant moaning. It doesn’t take any imagination to know what he sounds like having sex. If you looked in the dictionary for screamer , Tanner’s picture is there.
    “All done.” I rush through his massage and hope he doesn’t have to come back