Page 60 of Unforgettable Player

Fuck. When I agreed to go on a date with Gabe, I didn’t consider the possibility that I’d never be able to show my face again in my favorite place if it didn’t work out.

“What’s wrong?” Scout asks.

I arrange my expression into something more casual. “Nothing, why?”

“Don’t you want to see Gabe? Have you guys talked since your date?”

“Yeah, just a few friendly texts asking about each other’s day. Nothing flirty or anything.”

“No sexting?”

My face gets hot. “No sexting.”

“You’re no fun. I wanted to know if he’s hiding an anaconda under those corduroys.”

“I wouldn’t tell you even if I had seen it.”

“Why not?”

“You wouldn’t like it if guys you’d slept with went around talking about your … lady parts.”

She gags. “Please don’t ever say ‘lady parts’ again. You’re gay, not eighty.”

I snort.

“Hey, seriously, you okay? You seem quiet. Is everything alright with your dad?”

Usually, I bristle when she asks about my dad. But having Connor in my house without judging me has knocked through a little barrier.

“No, everything’s fine with him. Well, as fine as it can be.”

“So, it’s Gabe, then? Do you like him? Because if you don’t, I’ll stop pushing.”

My hands starts to sweat. “What makes you think I don’t like Gabe?” I ask, my voice getting a little squeaky.

She notices—of course.

“You don’t seem very enthusiastic. And Connor said something this morning that made it seem like I was pushing you, but he’s a dick, so …”

I pull up short. “What did he say?”

She frowns. “He asked me if I was sure this is what you want.”

I need to stop asking her questions about Connor. She’s looking at me with suspicion.

“I would have told him to mind his own business, but I was too busy giving him shit about some bimbo he hooked up with last night.”

I feel the flush, angry and deep, travel up my neck right up to my hair follicles. For a second, I think Scout’s telling me that Connor hooked up with a girl and it makes my stomach turn, then I realize I’m the bimbo she’s talking about.

“How do you know he hooked up with someone?”

“He stayed out all night and came back looking all …” She pulls a face. “Glowy.”

I try so hard to control whatever my face is doing right now, but I’m not sure I’m succeeding.

“Eli, what’s wrong? Please don’t tell me you’re jealous. We’ve been through this⁠—”

“I’m not jealous. I don’t care.”