Senior Year Box Set

We caught up on what Cindy was working on for me, design-wise. I’d left all the decorating up to my mom, so I wasn’t really in the loop. The Malibu house would be done by the first of May. That fit my parents’ timeline for moving after I graduated. Zander was vacating the USC condo, so Cindy and my mom would have the summer to get it ready for Tracy, Pam, and Cassidy.

Mom had authorized the work on the Canadian and New York condos as well. Jack Mass was involved in finding the right contractors to do the jobs. I appreciated his help since he owned his own construction business in Chicago. I’m sure Jack liked that I paid his travel expenses, giving him and his wife an excuse for mini-vacations.

Cindy then shared that my mom hadn’t yet decided whether it would be better to combine the two condos in Monaco. It was still early since they hadn’t even started to build the high-rise. My place in Greece would be put on the market as soon as one of my security team could get the equipment out of it.

I assured Cindy, once again, that I would help Kevin any way I could. Even though his situation hadn’t been caused by any intention on my part, I still felt a little guilty. If I’d been more worldly, I would’ve known what sextasy was and not handed out those shots. I consoled myself with the thought that Kevin almost certainly did know what sextasy was.

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Chapter 21 – You’re Still Sexy Thursday April 13

My chest was starting to get better. Joey and the rest of the training staff had worked their usual magic to help me heal. By the time I got back from LA for the MTV awards, I would be able to resume playing baseball.

I’d gone to State after school on Wednesday to check up on Tracy. I found that she was doing surprisingly well. It was a relief to know that Bill was dead and would never bother her again. I took her out to dinner, and we spent the evening catching up. It reminded me that I had to make more of an effort. Then again, it was a two-way street.

Paul had gotten the drain pulled out of his wound and was on the mend, and Fritz had gone back to LA with him. Scarlet was disappointed that he’d left, and I didn’t have the heart to tell her he likely wasn’t coming back. Carol had spent the night with us on Wednesday. The three little ones got on famously, so it wasn’t a burden to have my daughter.

Manaia was excited because we were flying out today, which meant he would be home for the weekend. Fritz had told him that once he delivered me to Rita’s house, he was free until we flew out on Sunday.

I’d chartered a plane to fly from our local airport to Van Nuys Airport. Thirty minutes after I got out of my last class, we were in the air.

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We arrived at Rita’s, and Manaia dumped my bags out of the car and left me standing out front. Well, that was rude.

I walked in like I lived there.

“Honey, I’m home!” I called out.

Bandit came bounding down the stairs.

“In the kitchen,” Rosy called out.

I scooped up Halle’s cat and loved him up as I walked into the kitchen.

“Miss Rita said you might be hungry. I made you some empanadas to hold you over until dinner.”

I sat down at the kitchen island and devoured two of them. Rosy was smiling. I didn’t think Rita appreciated what a good cook she had on her hands.

“My folks are moving into my Malibu house soon. If you’re looking for a big pay raise and people who will enjoy your cooking …” I got out before Rita came into the room.

“You little shit. You better not be trying to steal Rosy.”

“I’m just making sure she’s in the best possible position for her,” I deflected.

“It would be a shorter commute,” Rosy said to tease her boss.

In LA, that could be a big deal. Traffic was beyond terrible here. Rita grabbed my arm and took me out of the kitchen before I could put the full-court press on.

I had three bags sitting in the entryway. I planned to be here for three days, so one for each seemed about right when I packed. Rita grabbed one, I grabbed the other two, and she led me to my room. Walking behind her up the stairs reminded me of my crush on America’s Sweetheart. She still had a killer body.

When we reached my room, I was half aroused. Rita put my bag on the bed and turned around. She noticed the bulge that had formed in my jeans, then looked me in the eye.

“Yes, you’re still sexy,” I reminded her.

She bit her bottom lip, then smirked at me.

“You’re not so bad yourself. You may want to take care of that before dinner, and I suggest you freshen up. Dinner is in about an hour.”

I recalled what I’d been told in New York about picking up women, and I’ll admit to being more than a little tempted. But then I remembered what my dad had said only a few days before.

I had to behave better. Despite what the beast inside me wanted, I just nodded to her. Just then, we heard a mournful cry from Bandit. The big baby was on the wrong side of the door. His complaint sent us into fits of giggles.

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