Final Play (Matchplay Series) Read Online Free Page A

them to get to this point. There was a three year age difference between them and they met when Rainy was a freshman and Aaron was a senior. Aaron’s family initially displayed a lot of hostility towards Rainy. They had a difficult time accepting her because they’re super-rich and well-connected while Rainy’s background was steadfastly middle-class. I even heard through the grapevine that Aaron’s parents went as far as to try and get Evan’s fiancé, Keira, to break Aaron and Rainy up. Aaron’s parents apparently had to finally accept the fact that nothing was going to come between Aaron and Rainy. I heard they rather reluctantly accepted Rainy into the fold. At least they paid for their lavish wedding, which as a start.
    Rainy had an odd expression on her face, like she was holding something back. I could always tell when something was bothe ring her. She kind of wrinkled her nose and furrowed her brow at the same time, like she was really giving the matter some deep thought. “I heard that you were talking to Evan’s sister,” she said finally.
    “That was fast,” I said. I wondered how in the world she had heard that bit of gossip so quickly.
    As her eyes softened, I got the distinct feeling I was going to get an infamous Rainy lecture. She always managed to say the most relevant and even biting things yet still managed to couch them in sunshine and love. It was not even ironic that her name was Rainy and Aaron’s nickname for her was Sunshine. That’s exactly how Rainy was.
    When she swallowed before speaking I knew I was in trouble. She was definitely about to say something I already knew I didn’t want to hear.
    “Ella is beautiful, funny and free-spirited. I can certainly understand why you find her attractive.” Rainy gave me one of her brightest smiles and I knew she was getting ready to drop the bombshell. “But she’s also mentally ill. Before you pursue a relationship with her, I want you to give some serious consideration to what that means. You’re a brilliant guy. Do some research on bipolar disorder. I just want you to know what you’re getting into before you fall too hard and it’s too late.”
    I had a strong urge to tell her it was already too late but that sounded completely ridiculous. I had just met Ella. I talked to her for less than an hour in total. How could I already have fallen for her? The very idea was beyond all rationality.
    But I still felt that way. And it frightened me to my core.
    “Okay,” I muttered but it didn’t even sound like my voice. I was suddenly overcome with the urge to find every piece of research ever written about bipolar disorder.
    “I really care about you, Lucas,” Rainy said. “And I want you to be happy.”
    I nodded although it seemed at that moment the only thing that was going to make me truly happy was seeing Ella again.
    “Good luck, man,” Aaron said as he patted my shoulder.
    “I hope you have a wonderful time in Tahiti,” I said.
    “I know we will,” Rainy replied. When she glanced at her new husband, he winked at her.
    “I’m sure my sister and Marney are wondering where I am. I think they’re ready to get going.”
    Rainy gave me another hug. “We have to get together when I get back into town. No excuses.”
    “No excuses,” I assured her.
    ***
    After the bride and groom made their official exit and the party started winding down, I gathered my sister and Marney from the dance floor and we hopped into my Prius for the ride back to the city.
    As soon as my sister inhaled, I knew she was going to ask the inevitable question: why was I so keen to find Evan? I beat her to the punch. “I know you’re wondering why I wanted to talk to Evan.”
    “Wondering is not the word I would use,” my sister said dramatically. She had a flair for the dramatic, which made her so good at speech and debate. “More like my head was getting ready to explode in anticipation of the very moment when you would finally enlighten