“Did I apologize?”
Nina barks out a laugh. “You didn’t evenseeher. And props to that girl, whoever she was, because I would have made asceneif that was me.”
I groan. Nina would have lit the place up, and rightfully so. I can’t believe I did that, but the blurry spots are starting to get a little clearer, and I feel like I can sort of recall spending time in a bedroom with someone… but fuck if I can rememberwho.
“I made sure she got back to her hotel safely, though, so you’re welcome.”
“Was it Sutton?”
“I don’t know. I don’t remember getting her name. She was cute though, with this long, wavy hair. Dark brown and, like, down past her ass.” She pauses, then asks, “Is that what she looks like?”
I swallow hard, emotion doing its best to imitate a boulder in my throat. “No. I mean, yeah, I guess so. Her hair is shorter though, shoulder length, I guess.”
“Hm. I wish I’d gotten her name.”
I snort. “Me too. But I don’t think it would matter. I’m pretty sure it was her. It explains so much.”
“I remember the way she looked afterwards, though,” Nina says, and I brace myself. “Just absolutelydevastated.” The background noise gets louder as Nina puts the call on speaker. “I’m googling her.”
It’s too damn late for me, but I hold my breath anyway, hoping she’ll confirm that the girl from Vegas is not, in fact, the woman of my dreams.
“Oh shit.”
I grimace. “Fuck.”
“It’s definitely her.” Nina whistles lowly. “You better get on your knees for this woman, Maxipad.”
“Yeah. No shit.” Hanging my head, I thank Nina and let her get back to her evening.
I’m a full-blown asshole. No wonder Sutton wants nothing to do with me. No wonder she literally got up andleftwhen I told her how I’ve wanted her since the first time I laid eyes on her.
That was a goodten yearsafter the first time Iactuallylaid eyes on her.
The night I broke her heart.
And I didn’t even care enough torememberher.
Well fucking done.
“What’s up?” Gray says, making me jump and tearing me out of my spiraling. His eyes search mine, brows furrowing when he gets a good look at me. “Something wrong with Bean?”
“No,” I say quickly. “She’s fine, but I need a fucking drink.” Passing the beverage fridge full of assorted beer from my favorite L.A.-based brewery, I open the liquor cabinet and grab a bottle of whiskey.
I can feel Gray’s penetrating gaze at my back, but I don’t turn around until I’ve poured two fingers into my favorite glass. Taking a sip, I turn around and rest my hips against the bar.
Gray’s frown deepens. “You gonna make me guess?”
“I think I slept with Sutton.”
His eyes widen. “What? When?” Chuckling, he adds, “And what do you mean, youthink? Wouldn’t that be something you keep in your spank bank forever?”
I bark out a laugh, the sound miserable even to my ears. “That party in Vegas. The one she remembered so clearly it was uncanny.”
Gray’s eyes slowly widen as his eyebrows creep upward. “She’s a bunny?”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I shake my head. “No. She’s the daughter of the man that was invited to come to the game that night by our coach—his former coach.”
“Ricky Hart,” Gray says slowly.
