“Not the biggest Copper Valley’s ever seen, but it’ll be well-attended by coaches and athletes from all of the major teams here. Plus a few other local celebrities.”
“And your brother will be there and you get the joy of watching him see us together again.”
“My brother will not be there.”
He stares, a silent question of whowillbe there.
I don’t squirm.
I have a full-on hot flash again.
Fletcher definitely needs to regrow the ’stache.
Which he can’t do before Saturday. Saturday, I’ll probably get rugged mountain man stubble if he can truly grow back the entire ’stache before the preseason starts next week.
That would absolutely do.
He shifts and turns the stare into a glare.
I casually take a bite of cheese and stare back.
Sweet Pea looks at me and growls.
And that breaks me.
Not leveling with Fletcher? Whatever.
His dog feeling betrayed?
I absolutely crack. “My last serious ex-boyfriend will also be there,” I say around the cheese, hoping he doesn’t understand me.
“And there we have it,” he mutters.
“I’m happy to go by myself,” I say primly, which is something I’m still working on convincing myself is true, “but given who else will be there from the professional sports world, and the fact that I still feel bad about the flaming cheese thing, I thought I’d offer you the chance to meet some people who could more easily help you reach your goals. I’m very popular around here, even though I don’t like to say it out loud. You’d get cred for being with me.”
“Your ex. Details.”
“We were together almost three years and he dumped me because I cared more about my career than I did about him.” That’s the sanitized version, but it’s all I’m giving him.
He doesn’t need anything else.
He’s watching me as though he’s waiting for the rest of the story of a three-year relationship that crashes and burns over a job.
“Fine,” he finally says.
“Don’t get too excited there, buckaroo.”
“But I choose my own facial hair.”
“I’m leaving the entire country in a little over two weeks. What you do will impact you far longer than it’ll impact me.” I slide off of my stool. “I’ll message you the details, including some people who should be there that you’ll want to meet.”
He tracks me with a heavy gaze while I snag one last piece of cheese.
“Got what you wanted, so now you’re taking off?” he says.
“Busy times. And this ismutually beneficial.”
“You can stay if you want.”
