Page 82 of Playing with the Heartbreaker

“Chloe? Wow, I didn’t recognize you for a second. You look…wow.” And then panic crosses his face. “What are you doing here? Is everyone okay?”

“Yeah, fine.” I have to fight the urge to sink against his chest. “I’m here with⁠—”

“Chloe? Did you get the water? They’re taking him back now.” Graham rounds the corner, his hands in his pockets. “Did you know Mr. L was a bowling champion in college? Never would have guessed. His biggest concern is that his hand is going to be ruined for the bowling league now.” He shakes his head, grinning. “Oh, hey Simpson.”

“Hey.” Rhoads looks from me to Graham and back again. His fist clenches at his side. “You’re all fancy.”

Graham, oblivious to the weird tension in the room, says, “Thanks. So, they told me to just wait out there in the lobby for him. That’s where I’ll be when you’re done here, okay?” Graham winks at me as he leaves. By his smirk, you’d think he arranged the whole meeting himself. I still don’t know how he knows anything about Rhoads and me, but I’m betting it has something to do with Shenna James. Being around my ex and crush hasn’t gotten any less weird.

Rhoads’s expression, however, suggests he thinks something entirely different is happening.

“We’re working my mom’s event. The Chaotic Littrel Christmas.” I do the most cringe-worthy jazz hands anyone has ever seen and die a thousand deaths inside.

“We haven’t even had Thanksgiving yet. Christmas is still weeks away.”

“Not if you’re rich enough.”

He utters a pity laugh. “Oh. So…” He rocks back and forth on his heels.

The vending machines hum in the silence. The smell of carpet cleaner agitates the partially digested crab cake I stole earlier. Though it could just be my personal humiliation.

“I just.” I sigh. Kyle’s voice is in my mind now, telling me to just find out the truth, to give him a chance. “I just have to know. You made all those snow globes and then left me on read…” I turn the water bottle over in my hands, just like at that party two years ago. I forgot to give it to Graham for Mr. Littrel, but now, like then, I’m grateful to have something to hold on to.

Rhoads’s eyes nearly double as they widen. “On read?” He pulls out his phone. “Oh no. Wow, you must think I’m the scummiest human on the planet. Service here is really terrible. I came here right after the game last night. Amazing shot, by the way.”

Realization dawns on me that we’re in a hospital, which means he also has a reason for being here. “Wait, why are you here?”

He waves away my concern. “Everyone’s okay. I’m just visiting someone. I’m sorry I never responded. I replied to your text, but it apparently never sent.” He faces his phone toward me. There it is, a message to me but in his drafts. He runs a hand through his hair. It’s rumpled in weird places. Did he sleep here? “What did you want to talk about?”

I blow out a breath, no longer sure I want to have this conversation. But if I don’t, I’ll just be mad at myself later. “That was Candace, wasn’t it, that night at Peggy’s?”

“Someone summon me?” A short blond peeks into the alcove, her red streak flaming down her hair. “Sorry, small pixie joke. Ah, I did it again. I’m the worst. Anyway.” She turns to Rhoads. “Are you ready?” She taps her wrist impatiently, then looks at me, exasperated. “Dudes. There when you don’t want them, and never around when you need them. Am I right?”

“Right. Okay.” I say under my breath to the chipped drop ceiling. “That about sums it up, yeah. Thanks for the water.” I turn on my heel and book it down the hall.

I hear Rhoads as I run away from him, yet again. “Candace, you have the worst timing in the universe. Chloe, wait.”

But I pick up the pace, my shoes clicking down the hall, the background music to yet another Littrel family party disaster.

Wine spill, check.

ER to get stitches, check.

Humiliation at the hospital, Bingo.

Forty

RHOADS

Iglare at Candace. She was right, though, the last time this happened. Chloe has the wrong idea about us, and it’s all my fault.

I’m finally ready to take a chance.

To show her all my shame in the hopes she likes me enough to look past it.

I can’t let her leave. Not yet. Not without telling her how I feel and showing her why I’ve been guarded.

Candace nods at me.