“Are you really upset?” I ask.
He dribbles, sets up, shoots. “I mean, sort of, and not in a bitchy way, because I’m happy for you two, but it would be nice if you guys would carve out some time for me.”
“I can do that.” I pull on the back of my neck. “Things have just been... crazy. And I’ve been consumed. Dude, I fucking like her a lot.”
“I know. I can tell. And I know Huxley is consumed by the wedding right now, which is in a week, but remember, we’re all we have. Don’t leave a man behind.”
“I’ll make a better effort,” I promise. He tosses me the ball and I take a shot. It bounces off the rim, right back at me. “You know, you could possibly find someone to settle down with. The option is there.”
“Oh, is it? What love connection are you seeing for me that I don’t see?”
“What about Ophelia?” I ask.
“Lia?” he asks, confused.
“Yeah. Huxley and I have been taking bets as to when you two will hook up.”
“Dude, she’s my friend, not to mention my neighbor,andshe has a boyfriend. That’s it. There’s no romance.”
“You two also call each other all the time—call, not text. That’s weird.”
“We text, too,” he mutters. “But that’s beside the point. We’re friends, that’s it, nothing more. We established those ground rules back in college.”
“So, you’re telling me you never thought about getting together with her?”
“Never.”
I laugh. “You’re such a fucking liar.” I shake my head as I steal the ball from him and shoot, missing the basket completely. Jesus, maybe I should meet up with Breaker more. I can’t seem to score anything today. “So, you’re not bringing her to the wedding?”
“No. She did knit Huxley and Lottie pot holders, though, that I have to take with me.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t invite her to the wedding.”
“I’m bringing some girl named Charise.”
“Some girl? Do you even know her?”
“Yeah. She’s Lia’s friend.”
“Wait.” I pause. “You’re not taking Lia, but you’re taking her friend?”
He shrugs. “I told her I needed a date, and she hooked me up. See, that’s what friends are for. I was her wingman when she met Brian. Unlike you, I can actually be friends with a woman.”
“Seems like everything worked out for me.” I smile at him as he takes a shot from the three-point line and sinks it.
“Do you love her?” he asks, rebounding his own ball before tossing it to me.
I dribble it a few times and nod. “Yeah, I think I do. Hell, she’s all I think about. I’m constantly counting down the minutes until I can hold her and be with her. And she makes me really fucking happy, dude. I think once all this wedding stuff is done, I’m going to take her back to San Francisco and tell her. Feels fitting to do it there.”
“When did you become a man who makes grand gestures?”
“Ever since I started listening to Kelsey’s podcast. Have you heard it?” I ask. He lifts a brow at me, which causes me to laugh. “Well, she’s all about these stories of how people met. She loves the grand gesture, and she soaks in their romance. You can feel how much she’s in her element when you listen. Figured if I want to keep her around, I have to step up my game.”
“Never thought I’d see the day when you matured into a thoughtful man, but here you are. I’m impressed.”
“Thank you.” I awkwardly bow before shooting the ball. I fade back while the ball hits... nothing.
Breaker lets out a long, drawn out, “AIIIIIIRRRRR BALLLLLLLLL,” like the immature little brother that he is.
