Page 68 of Until the Last Star Fades

“Can you imagine—me in Sports Illustrated? How crazy is that?”

It took every inch of Riley’s restraint not to kick the coffee-colored bullseye on Josh’s crotch.

Crossing Madison Avenue in silence, she didn’t budge from her path on East 57th Street, her pinched eyebrows and determined stride forcing oncoming pedestrians to veer around her and Josh. Yeah, get out of my way. I am NOT being pushed around today. She gave Josh a slip of side-eye behind her sunglasses and wrapped her arms around her waist, hiding her clenched fists. Do you think I’m THAT stupid? I wouldn’t remember you mentioning Sports Illustrated last month? Her pulse, spurred on by adrenaline, pounded in her ears, each word leaving Josh’s lips fanning the heat rising in her chest.

“Thanks for taking Mitch’s call.” He glanced down at his trousers, pulling her Strand tote over his crotch. “And for letting me use your bag—hide this damn stain!”

Her smile was tight, barely opening to release her statement. “You’re good at that.”

“What—hiding stains?” He chuckled.

“Hiding things.” She stared straight ahead.

“Huh?”

Riley grabbed his arm, tugging him through the busy foot traffic into the quiet alcove beside the mammoth Tourneau TimeMachine store, the large Rio de Janeiro clock’s second hand clicking over their heads. “Why didn’t you tell me about Vegas?” You lied to me!

“Vegas?”

“Mitch told me—on the phone. You went to Vegas after the NCAA win. I thought you were in Grand Forks. You lied!”

“Aw, Rye, I didn’t lie.” He winced. “I just didn’t…tell you.”

“Bullshit. By not telling me, you lied. Same diff.” As the words left her mouth, guilt pinched her gut. I haven’t told him about hanging out with Ben, but…what’s there to tell? We’re friends, that’s it.

“I guess, yeah, but it was spur of the moment. You know what the guys are like! They get an idea and…” He shrugged. “Before I knew it, we were on the plane, drinking and celebrating, and as soon as we landed, it was casinos non-stop.”

Riley crossed her arms.

“Babe, it was just the guys.” His sheepish grin belittled Riley’s annoyance. “I’d never cheat on you. You know that.”

He’s not taking this seriously. “This isn’t about cheating!”

“Then, what is it about?” Tilting his forehead back, he wound his arms around her waist. “Look, I’m sorry I went away—”

“It’s not that you went away. It’s that you didn’t come back.” She batted away his embrace, raising a confused look on his face. “You chose to stay in Vegas instead of flying home to support me! Mom got devastating news and what? You thought, she’s been diagnosed three times before, Riley’s an expert at this by now. What the FUCK, Josh?!?” Her raised voice drew furrowed glances from people walking past. “Why didn’t you leave?”

“I didn’t leave because…because…”

“Because, because—WHAT?!”

“All the guys were there and…I don’t know! It was our last chance to party as a team.” He shrugged.

She threw her hands up. “You’re so unreliable and selfish. You only care about what Josh wants, what Josh needs. Vegas, that stupid TV job—it’s the same old story.”

“Come on, that’s not—”

“I was crying my heart out and you weren’t there for me. You could’ve come home but you didn’t. Drinking and gambling with the guys was more important to you.”

“Babe, I made the wrong decision, okay? I can’t undo what I’ve done, but you have my word, it won’t happen again.” He glanced over his shoulder toward East 57th Street. “I thought…I’d be in the way. I’m not comfortable with hospitals and talking about health things like you are.”

“I wasn’t going to ask you to insert a catheter, for fuck’s sake. If you really cared about me, you wouldn’t ghost me when I need you. My dad did that to Mom and I can’t—I refuse to follow in her footsteps.”

“Baby, you won’t. Come here.” He pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m sorry. Look, how about we surprise your mom with the ring tonight? We’ll get takeout, have my parents over, make it just family—how’s that sound?”

Riley tensed in his arms.

“Okay?” He eased the embrace and smiled. “Come on, let’s go get your ring.”