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“Round…three?”
Olivia resembles a deer in the headlights, and my idiot best friend doesn’t even realize it.
“The best things come in threes,” he barrels on with a suggestive laugh, and I know I have to put a stop to it when I see Liv’s cheeks burning.
“Actually, we gotta get going, Foxxy.”
“What?” Foxxy asks, confused. I shoot him a hard look, tilting my head slightly toward Olivia.
“Yeah. We gotta go sort out our gear. First preseason practice tomorrow. And I’m sure you could use some space to get settled after everything.”
“Yeah, you know, that would be good,” Liv finally pipes up. “I do have a lot to get done, especially now that I have my car back. My application for funding is due soon, and I’ve got a lot of work left.”
She’s staring down at the table, not looking at either of us.
Foxxy finally reads the fucking room, and nods stiffly. “Oh right. Yeah, makes sense. I’ll go get dressed.” He pushes back from the table and walks down the hall to the bedroom without another word.
Liv picks at the plate of food in front of her. I wish I knew what to say to her. How to get rid of this tension and go back to earlier when we were laughing over fucking muffin batter.
Instead, I get up and start cleaning the kitchen, stacking as much as I can into the dishwasher. Thankfully, it looks like Foxxy cleaned up as he was cooking earlier, so there’s not a lot left.
He returns a moment later, walking straight to Liv’s door. But I don’t miss the longing glance he sends her way, dropping his gaze when she turns around. “See you around, Pix.”
She licks her lips, sliding off the stool and walking to us, still with a slight limp. “Thank you for…well, everything.”
I dip my chin in acknowledgement, then pull on my shoes, leaving the laces undone.
“Good luck with the funding request.”
Once we’re outside, I brace myself for what I know is coming. Sure enough, as soon as he slams the door to my truck shut, Foxxy unleashes on me.
“What the actual fuck was that all about? Space? Are you seriously telling me you want to give her space? She’s everything, Griff. She’s perfect for us.”
“Do you even hear yourself?” I bark back at him. “Us? That’s a fucking fantasy, man. It can’t work in real life. The three of us? No goddamn way. Stop and think about it, and you’ll realize I’m right. You’re just so lust drunk you can’t see past your dick. You’re pushing her too fast into something you don’t even know she wants.”
“Lust drunk. That’s what you think I’m feeling?” His voice has gone deadly quiet. I know he’s pissed at me, but better that than him charging ahead with Liv like a bull in a china shop.
“I know you like her. Hell, so do I. But she deserves something real.”
“And you don’t think this could be real.”
I let out a long sigh. “I don’t know how it could be, man.”
He shakes his head at me, disappointment clear in his expression. “That’s a cop-out. You’re scared and you’re in denial about everything. And now you’re making me walk away from someone who could be the best thing to ever happen to us.”
“I’m not making you do anything,” I snap at him.
“Yeah, you are. Because if you think this thing with Olivia would work without you, you’re even more of a dumbass than I thought.”
“Oh come on,” I scoff. “Listen to yourself, man. Since when did this turn into anything more than some hot sex?”
God, I hate myself for reducing everything to that.
Foxxy’s eyes harden. “Fuck you. We make her happy. Both of us. And she fits with us. Both of us. Maybe there doesn’t have to be some deeper meaning or reason this could work. Maybe it just does. But it won’t, if you keep holding yourself back because, I dunno, you’re scared you’re gonna turn out to be an asshole like your dad or something.”
“Fuck you,” I bite out the words through a clenched jaw.
But as we drive home in a stony silence, I’m forced to wonder why I’m really mad at him—calling me out on my deepest fear or being bold enough to admit what he really wants.
