Page 99 of Payoff Pitch
“The house is different. It’s like he was already packed up and ready to sell it. I don’t think they were sleeping in the same room. All his stuff was in our old room.”
“Who would fuck her? I hope he had a side piece he was bringing into our room at night. He deserves it.”
Cheetah chuckles. “Kam bam, you’re the only person on the planet praying for her father to get side action.”
She smiles. “I am. And I plan to put thefunin this funeral. It’s more of a…celebration. Daddy is free at last. It’s a holiday miracle.”
Bailey sighs. “Behave for two days. For him. He said he knows you won’t stick around for long. He wants to come up for a visit next month to talk to us about some things.”
“Good. I want to get the fuck out of this shitty town as soon as I can. We’re leaving tomorrow.”
“Fine. I didn’t tell any of our friends. It’s the holidays, and I don’t want anyone to feel obligated to fly down here. I assume you’re good with that?”
Kamryn nods. “For sure. Don’t make anyone come in for this shitshow. They’re busy with their own crap.” She looks around. “I see you have a two-bedroom suite as well. Interesting.”
Bailey rolls her eyes. “Don’t start. Not today. How were your trips to Texas and Jamaica?”
Kamryn smiles. “Texas was great. Cheetah’s family is awesome. There are a million of them, and almost all are fun like him. He’s the only one with blue eyes though.” She winks at Cheetah. “Right?”
He shakes his head in exasperation. “It’s been family fodder for years and Kam bam joined right in on it.”
Bailey smiles. “I have no doubt.”
She continues. “We weren’t in Jamaica for long, but it was the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.”
Bailey nods. “Sorry your vacation got cut short.” She yawns and stretches her arms. “I’m beat. I’m headed to bed.”
“What? It’s New Year’s Eve. Let’s go party. We can celebrate the new year and the end of an error.”
“An era?”
“An error. Beverly Hart’s existence was an error of grand proportions.”
Bailey shakes her head. “I’m not up for going out. Our mother’s funeral is tomorrow. Do you have anything to wear?”
Kamryn smiles and nods. “I’ve got the perfect dress for the occasion, sis. Don’t worry.”
Bailey sighs. “Oh Christ. Remember, we’re here for him. It’s about him.”
“Sure thing. So, Bails, which room are you sleeping in tonight?”
Bailey pushes her and Cheetah out the door. “Goodnight. Have a good time tonight. Don’t get too blitzed. See you in the morning. Be ready to leave by nine.”
Kam laughs as they leave. “Oh, we’ll have fun.”
Once they’re gone, I pull Bailey into my arms. “How was he?”
She relaxes into me. “Oddly at ease. I hate to admit it, but Kam might be right. I think he’s relieved. He was sad—they have a long history together—but he seemed at peace. Maybe he can move on and live a fuller life.”
“How about you? How are you feeling?”
“She was a terrible person, but she was still my mother and she’s gone. In some ways, we lost her to the bottle nearly twenty years ago. And I hadn’t seen her in a very long time.”
“When was the last time?”
“Our high school graduation. She showed up trashed and belligerent. It was really embarrassing. Kam made our father promise not to bring her to our college graduation.”
“How are you so maternal and perfect coming from that situation?”