Page 60 of The Has-Been

Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe his words were real, that he really is sorry he ever loved me.

“Next question,” the host reveals. “In How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, who plays Andie Anderson?” A pause, then she begins reading the choices, “A. Katherine Heigl. B. Kate Hudson. Or C. Cameron Diaz.”

Reese looks at me, but I shrug. I’m terrible with names. Now, if it were a question about the movie itself, then I might know. But as I think it over, another team hits the buzzer. Reese throws up her hands when she sees that Reid pushed the button.

“B. Kate Hudson.”

The announcer checks her sheet, a smile quickly forming. “Correct!” She walks over to the scoreboard and marks the points. “Five points to the Mother Puckers!”

I turn ever so slowly in my chair. Liam’s face is beet red as Reid winks at the host, giving her a lazy smile.

Reid eventually realizes I’m glaring at him and holds his hands up. “Brennan is to blame for that one.” He discloses, referring to their team name.

“Why in the hell would you let Brennan pick it out?” Liam chuckles, quickly looking at me and offering a smile.

My chest eases slightly as he slips up on his facade. Busted. I think and use the opportunity to return the sentiment. Clearly, he’s forgotten his own game. He can pretend all he wants. I know he doesn’t hate me.

Over the next thirty minutes of questions, we go back and forth. Reese and I get one right, then Reid and Liam do.

“So…is it safe to assume that you and Reid have a bet on tonight’s game?” I ask after a while.

Reese nods, quickly glancing behind her. “Yup.” My eyebrows shoot up, indicating she should explain. Thankfully, she does without much of a fight, “If he wins…I have to go to their game against Chadlington…wearing his jersey.”

My mouth drops open. “Chadlington! Of all the games…Reese!” She presses her hand over my mouth, keeping me from saying what I was about to say next. Real concern tightens my brows.

“Not. A. Word.” She threatens.

I pretend to zip my lips. If she doesn’t want me to say anything, then of course, I won’t.

I just can’t believe she actually agreed to it…agreed to go. To that game. With that team. With those players. “And if you win?” I ask, curiosity more than piqued.

A slow smile creeps across her face. “He has to shave his precious locks of hair. Bald.” Her voice rises, intentionally, as she declares, “I’m certain all the puck bunnies will love that. Don’t you think, Morgan?”

My hand smacks my leg as I whip around to face him. Reid’s hair is his pride and joy. The black mid-length strands are always styled effortlessly, falling over his face or sticking out of that damn beanie he won’t take off.

“No need to worry, Hearteater.” He takes off the hat and shakes his head like a dog. “Highlighter always looks good from behind—but she’ll look even better with my name across her back. So, there is not a chance in hell I am letting you two win tonight and miss the opportunity to see that.”

My lips curl inward as I turn and hide my smile.

“Not. A. Fucking. Word.” Reese murmurs, jabbing her elbow into my ribs and knocking the air from me.

“Oh my God—he’s totally flirting with you!” I whisper.

I feel Reese playfully punch my leg, her eyes flaring wide as she retorts, “He flirts with everyone.” She stares at the host, who’s moving around the room during the five-minute break, whose eyes keep finding Reid’s until she finally makes her way over to the table, the pair quickly making conversation. “Like literally anyone,” she adds, pointing behind her.

I wave her off. He might be flirting with the host, but something tells me he’s only doing it because it clearly gets under Reese’s skin.

The host announces the end of the intermission. “Looks like we have a tie!” she exclaims, pointing to the scoreboard.

And of course, it’s between us and the dumbass “Mother Puckers” seated behind us.

I push down the urge to look behind me, to meet those green eyes I can feel on my back.

Suddenly I’m burning up, my skin prickling with heat. God bless, I desperately need to get laid if just the thought of his eyes on me can make me this hot and bothered.

I shake my head, removing thoughts of Liam and his skillful hands—along with other body parts from my mind. Forgetting how it felt for him to touch me, a place aching down below that makes me shift in my seat.

I miss the following several questions, too busy trying to fight the pooling liquid at my center. I do everything in my power not to turn around and look at the cause behind it all.