IvyMac: No. I wish I were there right now. I miss you too.
IvyMac: Okay. About to go into another tunnel. Txt me later, Cupcake
GrayG: Will do. Thanks for listening, Mac.
Next day…
GrayG: Everything is cool with Drew. He apologized for being a dick. We tossed around the football today. He hadn’t touched one in a while, so that was good.
IvyMac: Good. I’m so glad. I know how much he means to you.
GrayG: I’m going over to hang out with him and his girl, Anna. You’d like her. She’s saucy too. But, you know, not *special* saucy.
IvyMac: You’re risking your nuts, calling me special sauce. Don’t think I won’t make good on my threat whenever we meet.
GrayG: There you go, talking about my nuts again. One day, we gotta address this fascination you have with them.
IvyMac: Sure, we can address it, and then you can limp away.
GrayG: Empty threats, Mac. You know you couldn’t hurt me. You love me too much.
IvyMac: Whatever, Cupcake. Have fun tonight. Helpful party tip: don’t mention your nuts
GrayG: Damn, you’re telling me this now? The topic of my nuts has always been my go-to conversational opening. O.o
IvyMac: The more you know, Gray.
GrayG: What would I do without you to guide me?
IvyMac: Best not to think about that, Cupcake.
GrayG: Yeah, the idea is too terrible to contemplate. Stay safe, Ivy. I’ll txt later. You gonna be up?
IvyMac: Yes. Don’t think I can fall asleep anymore without your nightly text.
GrayG: Miss you.
IvyMac: Miss you too.
A few days and several texts later…
Gray
If life has taught me anything it’s to appreciate what you’ve got. Take something for granted and it could be gone before you even realized what you had. I learned that lesson from my mom, though I wish every day that I hadn’t. One day she was baking me apple cake and reminding me to study after football practice, the next day she’s pulling me into the den to tell me she had cancer. Hell, I remember every word of the conversation. Every fucking word punched into my flesh as if they were nails. But particularly I remember how she ended it: Live every day to the fullest, Gray. Appreciate life to the fullest, promise me that.
And I have. I still do. Enjoy the moment. Revel in it. Soak up life and fuck the rest.
It’s simple, really. I party because it’s fun. Enjoy women because I love them. Love their sweet scent, their musical laughter, and their soft curves. Play football because it’s the greatest fucking game on earth. And it’s worked for the most part. I’ve had fun.
“What’s up?” I ask, wiping my mouth with my forearm. Big mistake—I’m sweaty as fuck. Grimacing, I reach for a towel. “Or is this part of some random, buff-and-polish-the-client initiative you’re testing out on me?”
Mackenzie chuckles. “Smart ass.” Silence and then, “I have a favor to ask.”
Surprised, I pause in taking another drink of water. “Shoot.”
“It’s about Ivy.”
Instantly, he has my full attention. I sit up, my heart pounding oddly fast. “What about Ivy?”