So, he isn’t the guy who questions you about your shit.
Yet, here he is.
I think it’s because I’m the opposite. I’m the guy who never shuts up. I talk before I think, and tell him and Lowesy about every little thing I have going on. What I did the night before. Who I took home. I have probably sealed my own fate with that. Now, he knows a lie when I spew one.
“For fuck’s sake,” I whine, throwing my head back. “How’d you know?”
“Because your tells are obvious when you’re not getting laid.”
My mouth falls open. “What the fuck doesthatmean?”
He shoots me a look. Like I’m an idiot. “You’re drinking more than usual. Following that girl around like a puppy. She flirts with you, but not in the way that tells me she’s seen you naked. But still, it’s always you and her. Never you and someone else.”
I grimace at him. “You’re aware that the naked partwas a fucking weird thing to say, right?”
“Girls go fucking googly around you after you fuck them, Fork,” he says, pointing his glass at me. “Like, stupid googly. She isn’t googly. She can barely tolerate you half of the time.”
“Oh, come on. She likes me.”
“What a testament of love.”
“Well, I needed a cover!” I hiss at him, and he nods, like he totally gets it. He doesn’t. He’d never do something this dumb. “She was willing to do it.”
“And you’re obsessed with her, so it’s a win-win.”
“What?”
“Oh, you aren’taware thatyouare googly overher?”
I want to smack him more than I’ve ever wanted to smack him before. “Stop fucking saying googly! That isn’t a word.”
He huffs, shaking his head, sweeping his long, black hair back with his hand. “You’re googly as fuck.”
“Boss.”
“I get the angle you’re working with, but just be careful, alright?” He smacks his gum, giving me an earnest look. “It’s all fun and games and protecting your career until you wind up head over heels for her.”
“We have an arrangement.”
He holds up a hand. “I don’t need any details that you don’t want to give me, but I’m serious, Forker. If you fall for this girl, and she doesn’t fall back, what the hell are you going to do?”
I just shake my head. It’s not like that. “I’m not falling for anyone, alright? This is PR. This is keeping my ass onyourteam so that we win another cup.”
“Remember what happened to Lowesy when he fell for a girl who hurt him? Remember what happened to our team then?”
I scrunch up my nose. “We won a fucking cup?”
He thinks about that for a second, then presses his lips together and nods. “Okay, yeah. Not what I meant, though. That’s after she fell back in lov—you know what? That’s not my point. Just protect that stupid organ in your chest, okay? You fall fast, buddy.”
Oh, come on. I don’t. Not really. I’ve only ever seriously dated three girls and it always ends in flames. I have no intention of getting deeply involved again unless it’s for the right person. No matter how bad I want it. I know boundaries.Remember Rochelle? Probably could have loved her if I let myself, but I didn’t let myself.
I’m good. I’m in check. I know what this is.
The balcony door swings open, and Wyatt Caulfield pokes his head out. Glances at us both, gauging if he’s interrupting.
I dip my chin. Always room for Caulfield.
“They’re heading up the driveway now. Better get in here.”
