Page 18 of The Lockdown Mann

I try to join in, try to pay attention to what they’re saying, but my gaze is continually pulled to Oakley—as he gets out of the pool, dries off, looks at his phone, frowns, then sets it down again.

Is something wrong? Did something happen that I don’t know about?

He heads over to his daughter next, and even though I can’t hear them, I can tell he’s paying her compliments on her new look from Isla and Lucas.

He says something to her, and then she stands, giving Andrea a hug and then Isla.

They’re leaving.

Because of me?

Because of whatever he was looking at on his phone?

Hell, maybe it’s just time for them to go. Maybe Serena got home, and they’re going to spend family time together. My stomach twists in an unexpected way.

I got used to Oakley with Serena over the years. How could I not? I’ve known more of him in a relationship with her than I ever did when he wasn’t. They beat the odds and all that shit—high school sweethearts who had a kid, one made it to professional sports, and they’re still in love with each other.

But being in L.A., seeing it in a comfortable environment like my best friend’s house, makes it feel different.

Oakley and Lucas say goodbye, then Oak is making his way toward us. His gaze meets mine, but it’s he who looks away first.

“Oh my goodness. Don’t you look beautiful!” Michelle says to Tiana.

“I like the eyeshadow,” Abbie adds.

“Lucas picked out the color,” Tiana replies, and that makes Hunter smile.

“We’re going to head out,” Oakley says. “We have some stuff we need to take care of at home.”

“Thanks for coming.” Hunter stands, the two of them fist-bumping.

I don’t get up. Maybe that’s rude, but irritation is pricking at my nape. Then Tiana looks at me and says, “Bye, Desmond!” and I can’t help but kneel in front of her.

“Bye, Tiana. I had fun hanging with you today. Sorry I had to beat your dad so much.”

She crosses her arms. “He beat you too.”

I chuckle. She might like how I play football, but she’s always going to defend her dad—that much is obvious. “I guess he did. Tell your dad to let me know if you ever want tickets to an Inferno game.”

“Brave of you to say in a house full of Pulse fans,” Hunter joins in.

I stand. “Yeah, well, that was before I came to the Inferno. Sorry, I’m gonna have to steal all your fans, Hunt.”

“You wish,” he replies. I can’t help but glance Oakley’s way, but he’s not paying me any attention.

“Sorry for you too, Oak,” I say, unable to stop myself from trying to get his attention.

“Never going to happen. I have the biggest Pulse fan right here.” He wraps his arm around Tiana.

“I really am.” She beams.

“I don’t doubt it,” I tell her, and then they’re finishing with their goodbyes, and I’m forcing myself not to watch Oakley, the way I had to do all those years ago in the sand.

I don’t plan to stay long after they leave. I run in for a quick bathroom break, then check my messages to see I have one from my new friend.

OnTheBeach27: You and me both. Want to talk about it?

He’s responding to my comment about being with someone annoying today, which, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t a big deal. But he doesn’t know that. I appreciate the fact that he asks if I want to talk about it, that he cares about what a random guy online is feeling. He’s not the kind of man who just wants to find out as much as he can about someone he might fuck. From what I’ve drawn about him so far, he really seems to care about people.