Page 127 of Taking Sides

“I didn’t.”

His expression turns speculative, and he stares at me a beat before returning his gaze to the jersey. “Mom put this here?”

“That or the previous owner was a fan, and she decided to leave it up.” I laugh softly.

“Huh.” He gives it another moment of consideration and then heads to the guest room.

THIRTY-THREE

“Thanks for coming.” I swipe my palms along my thighs as I sit forward.

“Of course. What’s going on?” Ruby asks, voice gentle as she studies me.

I look from her to Hannah.

“I need a wingman,” I say, then look back to Ruby. “And some tips on grand gestures.”

The two of them sit on the couch in my living room. Their husbands are in the kitchen with D-Low.

“Did something happen with Whitney?” Ruby asks.

Hannah leans over toward Ruby as she says, “Victor found out they were together, and they had a big blowup.”

Ruby inhales sharply. “When?”

“Before the guys left for their last road trip.”

“How am I just now hearing about this?” she asks. She shoots a glare toward the kitchen. “Galaxy, what the hell?”

Her husband looks over with a wide-eyed expression. “What’d I do?”

Ruby waves her hand dramatically toward me.

“Right,” he says, and clears his throat. “Sorry, Red. He and Whitney had a fight. I was going to tell you but then we, well . . . you know . . .”

Ruby blushes as her husband trails off.

“Busy afternoon reconnecting after the long travel week?” Hannah asks, fighting a smile.

“Yes, but I cannot believe he didn’t find a second or two to fill me in.”

They stop talking and give me their attention.

“As Hannah said, Victor found out that I’m seeing Whitney and we got into it. He said some things, and I didn’t react very well.”

“It sounds like the guy is a real jerk,” Hannah says with a soft smile.

“The dude is a total asshole, babe. The worst,” Trav shouts out from the kitchen.

“What did you say?” Ruby asks me.

“I don’t remember my exact words, but I said everyone hates him and thinks he’s a joke and that even his dad, who I know is a sore spot for him, thinks he’s pathetic.”

“Yikes.” Ruby makes a face that adequately displays the guilt I feel.

“Yeah. Not great,” I admit. “But he started it. He’s always putting down her job and her life here in Moonshot like it’s not as important as his. I couldn’t take it.”

“Asshole,” Trav yells again. “Not you, Shep. Aven.”