“Not at all.” I wink, which causes her to push me with her foot.
“That’s annoying.”
“At least we’ve moved past Brian being a dumbass.”
She leans against the back of the couch. “He really was being a dumbass, wasn’t he?”
“He was because from where I sit, he’s completely missed the fact that you’re a total smokeshow with that hair.”
“Smokeshow, huh? What was I before?”
“A smokeshow,” I answer. “But without confidence. This new haircut just makes you shine brighter.”
“I was feeling really confident.”
“He’s a certified troll for saying anything negative. Bet you he thinks you’re too hot now, like you’re out of his league, and he’s worried you might wander off.”
“Well, if he keeps acting like an ass, I very well might.”
That’s the spirit. Wander off, straight into my arms.
Not wanting to push the subject, I turn back to the TV and say, “Are we going to apply to be onFamily Feudagain this year? We have Kelsey and Lottie, who we can add to the team, as well as JP, so I think the odds are in our favor. Kelsey would have precise answers, JP would have the funny covered, and Lottie will cover the wildcard topic.”
“We’ll never get picked.”
“That’s not the kind of attitude I like to hear. We must manifest this shit. Come on, we were born to be onFamily Feud. You and me during fast money? We’d annihilate. Steve Harvey wouldn’t know what to do with himself because we’d destroy it. And who knows, I’m not opposed to paying people off to get on the show.”
“I told you, we’ll get on the show on our own merit, not what number you can write down in your checkbook.”
“Yeah, but the checkbook would be a surefire way to make it happen.”
“Where are your morals, Breaker Cane?”
“Iffy at best when it comes toFamily Feud.”
“I can see that.” Growing more serious, she says, “Thanks for hanging out with me tonight, and being my own personal hype man about my hair and my outfit. It truly did make me feel special.”
“Well, you should feel special. Because you are. I’ll hype you all day, every day.”
“And that is why you are my best friend,” she says.
Yeah, if only I was so much more.
ChapterThirteen
LIA
Lia:What are you doing?
Breaker:Staring at my ceiling, dreading having to go to my brother’s house.
Lia:Sunday brunch?
Breaker:Yes, but all they’re going to do is fawn all over their wives while I sit there with a mediocre Bloody Mary in hand, watching them.
Lia:Oh, funny thing . . . I like mediocre Bloody Marys.
Breaker:Is this your way of inviting yourself?
