Page 95 of Unforgettable Player

“Scout, I need to tell you something.”

“Huh?” She half turns from the record player, the intro to Rumours by Fleetwood Mac playing.

“I want you to know that you’re my best friend, and you’ll always be my best friend, and I love you so much⁠—”

“Woah, Eli, what the fuck is going on around here? Everyone’s acting like they’re dying.” She gasps. “Am I dying? Does everyone know but me?”

“No.” I stifle a smile.

She narrows her eyes at me. “Why are you and Connor being weird?”

I open my mouth, not sure what will come out, despite how many times I practiced this speech in the mirror before I came over here.

She gasps before I can say it, her whole face suddenly changes. “Oh no.”

“Scout.”

She shakes her head and starts pacing in front of the window. I watch, wondering when to jump in. She holds her hand up as if to stop me.

Cocking her head, she says, “Am I crazy, or is it no coincidence that my brother just came out as bi and now you’re here, telling me you’ll always love me?”

I swallow, hoping my silence will do the work for me.

Her eyes get so wide she looks like one of those anime characters.

“Eli, no!”

My heart pounds, my fingers tingle. This is what I came here to do.

“Will you please listen before you go off? That’s all I ask. Give me five minutes to explain.”

Her nostrils are flaring, but she gives a stiff nod.

“Okay.” Deep breath. “I have had feelings for Connor for a while⁠—”

“Urgh.”

“Scout, please?”

“I didn’t say I’d be silent.”

I raise my eyebrows.

“Fine. Go on.”

“We kissed.”

“Urgh!” She shakes her whole body out, like she can get rid of the words.

“We tried to stay away from each other, and when we realized we couldn’t, we thought we’d just let it play out, like a summer fling. But….”

“But what? You’re madly in love and going to get married and adopt babies?”

“I mean … the marriage and babies part is probably a bit soon, but⁠—”

“You’re shitting me right now. Please tell me you’re joking.”

I bite my lip and shake my head.