Need to talk?
Avery
Did Ty Brewster just offer to talk something out? :P
Me
Seems like a certain chatty rabbit has rubbed off on me
Avery
Rabbits don’t make sounds. Plus you compared me to a bunny specifically
Me
You’re right. A cute little bunny.
Avery
And you should consider yourself lucky
Me
Oh I do. Seriously though… You need anything?
Avery
Thanks but I’m good
I wait for her to say something else. If anyone is a double texter, it would be Avery. And I would welcome it from her. But she doesn’t say another word.
My phone smashes into my chest as we come to a stop at the other end of the pub. I’ve been sucked into my screen so long I didn’t realize Cole had chosen a target. When I look up, I’m face-to-face with Decker. If anyone were to not want me here, it’d be him. I chug half ofmy now-warm beer and lower it, a white-knuckle grip around the bottle.
Cole slurs something out first, but I’m still a few steps behind, so I’m not sure what exactly he says. Someone bumps into my back, continuing the traffic jam, and I launch forward, locking eyes with Decker. It’s easy to avoid sensitive topics at practice and during games. We have business at hand, eyes on the ball, feet on the ground, that’s it. We don't make time for small talk because it never comes to anything good. Case in point: this instance. Because I’m not sure what else to say, I pick up where we last left off with our small talk.
“Where’s your girl?” I ask, and immediately, I can tell I’ve struck a nerve. Not exactly what I was going for, but then again, I didn’t really have a game plan.
His eyes narrow. “Why? You gonna tell her to her face that you've been fantasizing about how short her skirt is?”
His comment is like a punch to the gut, but I suppose I deserve it. I try to keep my composure as all eyes fall on me. “Fantasize? I was making an observation.”
“What if I said the same about your girlfriend?”
“I don’t have a girlfriend,” I say too quickly, my stomach sinking. Did someone see my texts with Avery? But how could they have?
“Oh, and I’m sure it’s your mom you were gigglin’ like a schoolgirl with on the phone a little bit ago.” Cole snickers and elbows Ramiel in the ribs, who smiles timidly and rubs his side.
I arch a brow at Cole. Just when I thought I was making headway with some of the guys, I’m proven wrong. It goes to show that you can’t trust anyone.
“We all heard you,” Decker adds, leaning forward. He knows he has the upper hand.
There are a thousand indecent things I want to spew back, but none of them would have the effect I want because he’s caught me. As much as he cares about Lena—what people say about her—I care about Avery. I’d flatten someone—if Avery wouldn’t hold me back—no questions asked if they so much as blinked at her wrong, nevermind if they actually made a comment about her appearance. My jaw tenses as I swallow every disdainful thing poised on my tongue for Decker.
“I’m just kiddin’, man,” he finally adds. “I’m gonna go grab another drink. You guys want anything?”
Everyone declines as he dips out, and I’m more than grateful to have the conversation end. His accusation fills me with unease, even if he did just say it to match my own jack-knobbery.
“What’s up with you guys?” Ramiel asks when Cole disappears to chat up some girls sitting with Foster at a nearby high top.
