Page 28 of The Playboy’s Playbook

Chapter Twenty-Four

LAILA

T he day I ended things with Matthew hurt like hell. I cried myself to sleep, snuggling Nola close to my chest. My pillows still smelled like him, so Nola buried herself on them to feel like he was still here.

The second day was absolute torture. Erica dropped by to check on me and when I opened the door, she was holding pink carnations with baby’s breath mixed in. “I wish I could say I bought these, but they were sitting on the steps.”

I knew who they were from without having to read the card, but I did anyway.

I won’t give up on you. On us.

P.S., you will always be my baby.

Matty

I rub my forehead and I’m transported to all the times Matthew would kiss me there. It was comforting, the feel of his lips on me, his arms around my waist holding me close to him.

Even though I want to throw these flowers in the trash bin and set the note on fire, I grab a vase, fill it with water, and place the flowers in the vase.

Just like I used to do.

The third day was slightly easier. My mom called and said she would be passing through in a few weeks, so I had something to look forward to. Nola and I went on walks around the neighborhood because I didn’t want to keep her locked in the house all day.

Days four through six were a blur and honestly, it was a miracle I got out of bed at all. Now, it’s day seven and I see no light at the end of the tunnel.

The doorbell rings, pulling me back to reality. I check the cameras and see Luke, Clay, and Jen on the porch. I haven’t seen or spoken to them since I dropped Matthew’s things off with Luke.

“Hey boys. To what do I owe this surprise visit?” I ask, trying to keep my voice level.

“We were told you were very sad,” Jen says, handing me a bouquet.

“Thank you, Jen. They’re beautiful.” I force a smile. Nola licks at Jen and Clay’s hand, earning a giggle from the boys.

“Uncle Matty helped us pick this out! We hope you like it,” Clay says as he hands me a sparkling pink gift bag.

I stand and place the flowers on the table behind me and turn back to retrieve the bag from Clay’s outstretched hands. Just when I’m about to open the bag, Luke stops me.

“You don’t have to open it in front of us. I told them we were going to leave this on your doorstep so we wouldn’t bother you, but these two insisted on handing it to you personally.”

I smile at him and hold back the tears threatening to spill out. “Thank you.”

“Alright boys, come on. Let’s leave Laila alone.” Luke grabs his sons’ hands and leads them down the steps of the front porch. Before he gets too far, I stop him.

“Hey, Luke!”

He turns back to me, as if he knows what I’m about to ask. I know I shouldn’t, but the smallest part of me wants to know. “How is he?”

Luke paints an equally sad smile on his bearded face. “He misses you.”

I nod and he turns back to his truck, strapping Clay and Jen into their car seats. He nods at me before he gets into the driver’s seat and backs out of my driveway. I take the flowers and place them in one of the empty vases next to the bouquet Matthew had delivered the other day.

I open the gift bag and I feel the tears fall. I open the small box and pull out a case of pink gel pens.

He held his promise.

I tuck the pens back inside and take the card from the bottom of the bag. I wipe my face and open the envelope.

The boys wanted you to have blue pens, but I told them pink was your favorite color. Jen kicked me in the shins and Clay called me a dinglebop. I’d go through that again for these pens and ten times over for you, baby.

Matty

I let out a laugh because I can imagine Matthew standing in the middle of the aisle in the store arguing with Clay and Jen over the color pen to get. Something so simple brings joy to me and lights up my world just a little bit. I turn the card over and see there’s more words written on the back.

P.S. Auntie Lala, here’s my favorite seashell. It helps me feel better when I’m sad.

Love, Clay

P.S.S. Auntie Lala, I kicked Uncle Matty cuz Daddy said he hurt your feelings and not cuz he told us no blue pen.

Love, Jen

I pull out the seashell that was tucked under the tissue paper and I drop to my knees in a fit of sobs.

I would have never thought that I would fall in love with Matthew Foster. As soon as I kissed him at Waffle House, I knew that things were different.

And the sad part about all of this?

I’d do it again, ten times over.