“If I detach myself a bit, then yes, it’s impressive. If he were just another baseball player, I’d say it was a tremendous accomplishment and good for them. But it’s my dad, and he’s the worst, and I don’t think he deserves any accolades.” He shrugged. “I don’t think shitty people should be rewarded.”
All she did was nod.
“But that’s a whole other story. Anyway, Milo asked if I was going to go to the ceremony, and I said no, and I could…I could just tell he was disappointed. And…it bothered me.”
“Did you say anything to him?”
Another shrug. “I got defensive, but that’s my go-to response when anyone mentions my dad. And I don’t know why that particular conversation bothered me so much, but it did. The guys all know not to bring that part of my life up, but for some reason, Milo did.”
Beside him, she shifted slightly. “That’s probably my fault. I think I kind of mentioned it to him because I recognized the name. Anyway, Milo’s got a way of sort of probing into your personal life, but not in a malicious way. I think he genuinely wants to know what makes us all tick, you know? He gets the whole people can suck aspect—he’s told me so many stories about the ways he was bullied when he was growing up—but I think as an adult, he really enjoys delving into why we do the things we do.”
“Yeah, well, he knows why I do what I do in this situation.” Pausing, he shook his head because he knew he sounded way harsher than she deserved. “I value Milo’s opinion. In everything. So when he frowned and had that look of disapproval, it bugged me.”
“I know that look. I got it this week too.”
That was surprising. “Really? Why?”
“Because apparently someone has a big mouth and told him about what happened with Tucker on Friday,” she said with a hint of both sass and snark.
“Oh.”
“Like I wasn’t humiliated enough, you had to tell my boss? What the hell, Slater? I thought we were friends.”
Shit.
“It wasn’t to humiliate you. I swear. I was kind of angling for him to maybe do something to Tucker, that’s all.”
Her head dropped back as she whined his name. “Why would you do that?”
“Because that guy is the worst, Evie, and he deserves something bad to happen to him.”
When she looked at him again, he could tell she was still annoyed. “Milo isn’t going to fire anyone just because they’re a jerk.”
“That’s what he said too, but I had to at least put the idea out there.”
She stared at him hard for several moments before he saw her lips start to twitch. “I kind of hate that I really wish he would have.”
“Me too,” he said, grinning. “But hopefully the universe will take care of him for you. Without Milo getting his hands dirty.”
“I don’t want anything bad to happen to Tucker. Not really.”
He gave her a look that said just how much he didn’t believe her.
“I think I’m more bothered by what he thought of me rather than what he did to me.”
Ah…that’s what she was getting at.
“I know I can sit here and tell you not to let it get to you, but it’s easier said than done. Still, you have to realize how awesome you are. There’s nothing wrong with you. He’s the one with issues.”
“Yeah, well, Tucker and the last six guys I’ve dated disagree.”
Six? Yikes.
“I’m the buddy. The girl that guys don’t mind hanging out with until they find someone they actually want to be with. It’s like I’m some kind of relationship repellent.”
“Or maybe you just haven’t met the right guy.”
This time she was the one looking with disbelief.
