Page 117 of Hard to Get

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to do.” Right now, it feels hopeless.

“You never know. Right around the corner could be a big upswing. A big break. A new opportunity.”

I eye him suspiciously. “Who sugar-coated your cornflakes with unicorn piss this morning?”

He laughs. “Me. I’m trying to work on being more positive. I’m the leader of this team.” He grimaces. “I fucking hate it when guys are yelling and bitching at each other.”

“Positive is good,” I acknowledge. I gulp down some draft. “I have to tell you about this guy at the wedding. He asked me what was going on with Sammy and Bish. He said there are rumours that they’re feuding over a woman.”

LG’s eyes fly open. “What?”

“Yeah. Crazy, right?”

He rolls his eyes. “People will gossip about anything.” He pauses. “Do you think that’s what it is?”

“No. Fuck. I don’t know. Bish is with a different woman every week. I don’t think Sammy dates much, though. So I don’t think so. But after that reporter asked about it, and then this guy… I don’t go on social media much, but I have the feeling the whole city is talking about it. And probably making shit up.”

“I’ve been thinking about this. I’ve been thinking we should have a players-only meeting.”

My eyes widen. “Yeah?”

He nods. “We need to figure out what is going on.”

I nod slowly. “Yeah. I don’t know if everyone will be comfortable talking about it.”

“Then let’s talk about why we’re not comfortable. You said something that made me think about this. About how we have to be honest with each other, and things will never change if we don’t talk about this crap.”

“Right. Okay. Do it. I’ve got your back.”

“Thanks.” He takes a long swig of his beer. “So. Is that what you wanted to talk about? What’s happening with Sammy and Bish?”

“No.” I drop my gaze.

“What’s up?”

“Stella.”

LG purses his lips. “Uh oh.”

“My sister told me. Fuck.” I rub my face.

“She told you… what?”

“She said if Stella didn’t want anything serious, I should break up with her. She said I’d get hurt if I ended up catching feelings. I figured I could handle it. I guess I thought… maybe… Stella would catch feelings, too. But…”

LG waits.

“Last night, we kind of…” I don’t know what that was.

“Fought? Argued? Fucked?”

“All of the above? It wasn’t really fighting. I told her…” I stiffen my spine. “I’m catching feelings and she was all, don’t do that. She doesn’t believe in love and a wedding is basically a funeral for two.”

“Harsh.”

“But she was crying happy tears because her brother was getting married. I told her I think she’s really a romantic deep down inside. But I guess the pathetic romantic is me.”

“Ouch.”