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Breck feigned indifference and shrugged again. “Had an off night. It happens.”
Ned shook his head. “Nuh uh. I remember now. Somethin’ was buggin’ you, and…” He paused, then winced contritely. “You were gonna tell me, except then I spotted Mystery Girl and totally bailed.”
Breck glanced away with another shrug. “S’all good. It wasn’t anything, anyway.”
“Nope. It was definitely something.” Ned regarded him. “And going by this vibe you’re throwing, it’s still buggin’ you now.”
“Nah, G.” Breck shook his head. “I’m good.”
He wassonot in the mood to start spilling his guts. Especially when things had only gotten worse since their last exchange.
Ned crossed his arms and eyed him, undeterred. He wasn’t buying it and clearly wouldn’t be taking no for an answer.
Breck exhaled and scrubbed his face. In all honesty, he still wouldn’t mind venting. Especially now that things had gone from terrible to fucking hellacious.
Ned’s foot started tapping, one eyebrow impatiently cocked. “Let’s hear it, boo. What’s got your jockstrap all in a bunch?”
Do it. He’s your friend.
And you need to vent.
Breck frowned and rubbed the top of his head. Looked this way and that, then finally met Ned’s eyes. “My situation.” He exhaled. “It’s kinda fucked. I—”
His phone started vibrating with an incoming call.
“Shit.” He pulled it out of his pocket. Dad.Ugh. Literally the last person he wanted to talk to right now. He’d been gettingwaytoo excited about all Breck’s upcoming commitments.
He hit decline and shoved it back in his pocket. “My old man,” he muttered. “I’ll call him back later.”
Ned snickered. “Sorry, Dad.”
Breck grinned a little and nodded his head.
“So, you were saying?” Ned prompted. “Your fucked situation?”
“Right. Yeah.” Breck rubbed his mouth. “I—” His phone went off again. “Goddamn it.” He dug the thing back out and eyed the screen. “Fuck,” he groused.
“Your dad?” Ned chuckled.
“How’d you know?”
“You get that look on your face when shit’s got to do with him. Is he really that bad?”
Breck grunted. “You tell me.” He gestured for Ned to stay quiet as he turned on the speaker. “Hey, Dad. Sorry I missed your call.”
“It’s okay. Listen, I just got off the phone with your agent…” Not even aHello, how’s it going, son?Just hit the ground running with all his business-speak.
Breck sighed and parked his ass on the couch. Ned flicked him a sympathetic look.
“… the Portsmith Invitational is right after you get back from Hawaii. Which means we need to book our flights pronto, so I need to know your schedule. I’ll call the airlines and—”
“That’s okay, Dad,” Breck quickly interrupted. “I’m gonna catch a plane with some of the guys on the team.”
A brief silence followed. And then, “You sure that’s a good idea?” Dad didn’t sound thrilled. “At this stage in the game, you should have some quality support.”
“My agent will be there.”
A discontented noise came back at that. “Fine. Whatever,” his dad finally muttered. “But you better keep me posted every step of the way.”
