REED: It’s great to have you in the group, Zane. I always knew this day would come
ZANE: Thanks
Reed too?Easton’s right. This feels like hell.
LUKE: You better get ready for Reed. You’ll never escape him now
ZANE: I don’t think this group is for me. I’m out
LUKE: You know, Zane… If you hadn’t slept with his GF, you and East could have beengreat friends. You’re more alike than you realize
ZANE: Yeah, we both like brunettes
The tiniest twinge of guilt gnaws at my chest, and when Easton leaves the group, I feel worse.
Luke added Easton to the group
LUKE: You need to chill, East. It’s called a joke
Jesus. I don’t know what the hell I got myself into, but I have a feeling I’m not going to like it.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Blair
ONE MONTH LATER
“Iunderstand. Thank you for the time.” My stomach knots as I hang up my phone and fall into a heap on our new designer couch, immediately jumping up with a groan.
“For fuck’s sake.”Why do I keep forgetting how uncomfortable it is?
Sure, it’s beautiful and fits the pre-furnished classic styling to perfection, but give me a plush cloud-like cushion any day of the week. I need my couch to be so soft I could sleep on it. Because I do. Often.
Just not on this one.
“Hey babe.” Nathan walks in and habitually kisses my cheek, making himself comfortable on the couch I despise. He looksright at home in his designer polo shirt and perfectly tailored jeans, his short brown hair purposely tousled to give thatI just got out of bedlook. It’s sexy. Everything about him is sexy. And yet as I cup my cheek where he kissed me, desperate to hold on to his warmth, I’m lost. It doesn’t give me the comfort it once did.Hedoesn’t give me the comfort he once did. And I have no idea what that means. “What do you think about pasta for dinner?” he asks, pulling my gaze to his face as he closes his eyes, tucking his hands behind his head. “I’ve been dreaming about it since you made that new sauce last week.”
“Do you mind if we get takeout?” I say, shaking off my thoughts. “I’m not really in the mood to cook.”
Nathan sits up instantly, his eyes flashing to the phone in my hand. “What happened? Who was that?” His shoulders stiffen and I guess he’s thinking about Zane.
I probably shouldn’t have told him that Zane came by our old house, but I’m not a deceitful person, and that definitely felt like deceit. I may not have done anything wrong, but Nathan knows about my past with Zane, and more than that… They hate each other. Even now when they haven’t seen each other for years, I know Zane would feel the same.
Andwe’re about to find out when Los Angeles plays San Francisco in a couple of weeks. Their first game against each other since Zane transferred in college.
“It wasn’t Zane.” I ease Nathan’s mind. “I told you. We haven’t spoken. I still have him blocked on my phone.”
“I didn’t ask.” He stares at me blankly while the hint of a smile begs to shine through.
I raise an eyebrow, and he laughs. “Okay, yes, I was thinking about it. You know me too well.”
“I do. But you have nothing to worry about. Me, on the other hand… that was another ‘I’m sorry but you weren’t right for the position’ call.”
“Oh, babe.” Nathan stands and immediately wraps me in his hold. “I’m a dick.”
“Nah, you’re okay. Your jealousy distracted me for a moment.”
“I wasn’t jealous.” He puffs out his chest, standing tall. And while I appreciate him trying to distract me again, it doesn’t solve my problem. I’m not sure what will.
