Page 66 of Unforgettable Player

“Just going to get another drink,” Gabe says.

I follow him into the bar.

“Gabe.”

He turns around, his face dropping when he sees me.

I step closer. “I’m so sorry.”

“What are you sorry for? We didn’t say we were exclusive. We only had one date.”

He’s putting a brave face on and that only makes me feel worse.

“It was still a shitty thing to do,” I say, my voice low.

He glances back into the arcade. “If that’s your type, then I’m barking up the wrong tree, anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

He sighs. “I thought you liked substance over style, but maybe I was wrong.”

I open my mouth to defend Connor, tell Gabe that he does have substance, but it’s pointless. Maybe even cruel. If Gabe wants to make himself feel better by bashing Connor, I shouldn’t stop him.

“Does Scout know?”

My heart pounds and my mouth gets dry.

“No.”

Gabe shakes his head. “I won’t say anything, don’t worry.”

“Thank you.”

When we get back to the group, I tell Scout that I’m not feeling well and can’t go to the gig. I know she really wanted to go, but she tells me she doesn’t care and she’ll give me a ride home instead.

“I’ll give him a ride, sis,” Connor says.

She eyes him skeptically.

“Will you be okay with all these strange guys?” Connor asks her.

Scout rolls her eyes. “There’s women here, too.” She turns to me. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come home with you? I don’t mind. We can have an X-Files marathon. Mulder might make you feel better.” She winks.

“No, seriously. Stay and have fun.”

“You don’t have to go to your dad’s,” she says. “Just crash at our house. I’ll try not to wake you up when I come home later.”

“I’ll pick you up if you want,” Connor offers.

Scout frowns at him. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I don’t want you drinking and driving. This way you can drink if you want and get home safe.”

She flinches, like she doesn’t know how to react to Connor doing a nice thing for her. “I don’t need a ride. I’m not even going to drink.”

“You’re sure?” Connor asks.

Maybe he’s wearing her down, because instead of snapping at him this time, she rolls her eyes indulgently, the way she does at Naomi. “Yes, neanderthal, I’ll be fine.”