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“She’s just different.”
“Not good enough, my man. I’m going to need you to spell this shit out for me.”
“Let it go.” My voice is stern.
“How is it that my best friend who has been living with me for months is in love, and I have no idea? Have I even met her?” he questions.
I’m kicking myself in the ass for even saying anything. I should have known he wouldn’t just let it go. He’s like a fucking vulture and will keep picking and nagging until I give him something. The problem with that is I don’t want to lie to him. Not anymore, but I have to. I don’t have a choice. I made a promise to Joey, and I intend to keep it. I won’t turn into justanother person she’s not able to rely on. I want to be at the top of her list.
“I’ve known her for a while. We reconnected, and things are going well.” Going well is an understatement. She’s my entire life is more accurate.
“Reconnected? When did you meet her?” By this time, he’s all but given up on watching the film, and I’m shocked Coach hasn’t called him out on it yet.
“College.” Not a lie, but it’s not what he’s thinking. We didn’t go to college with her.
“Who is she?”
“Henderson!” Coach calls out his name. “You care to join us, or do you plan on sitting there and shooting the shit?”
“Sorry, Coach, giving my boy here some love advice,” Caleb calls back. The room erupts in laughter, and if it were not for the reprieve from Caleb’s questioning, I’d probably be pissed off and a little bit embarrassed.
“I got you, Williams,” Jefferson says, turning around in his chair to face me. “I have a way with the ladies,” he says, bobbing his head and wagging his eyebrows.
“I’m good,” I tell him with a reluctant laugh. I’m surrounded by idiots. He might have a way with the ladies, but my guess is it has more to do with his playing for the Ramblers than anything else.
Thankfully, the murmurs settle down, and we go back to watching tape. Caleb surprisingly lets the subject go, but this conversation is far from over. I thought I was being sneaky, letting him know that I met someone who I truly care about. Instead, I opened a can of worms, and instead of planting a seed that I’m committed, I’ve planted suspicion.
Joey is going to be pissed.
“You’re wearing a hole in the carpet,” Caleb comments.
I stop pacing. Hell, I didn’t even know I was doing it to look at it. “I have too much nervous energy.”
“Are you that excited to see this girl?” A look passes over his face that I can’t decipher before it’s gone.
“Yeah,” I admit. “I’m that excited to see her.”
“Do I get to meet her?”
“No.”
“Why not? I’m your best friend.”
“She’s not ready yet.” Not a complete lie.
“What?” he asks, confused.
“She’s not ready yet,” I repeat. “She’s not really one to be in the limelight, so we’re keeping her out of it for now.”
“When have you seen her? You’ve been home every night. You don’t go out after the games, and you’re in bed most nights before Joey and me.”
“Things have been… distant. But we’re getting there.” Fuck, this is hard. I hate lying to him. I’m trying to give him answers that are as close to the truth as I possibly can.
“So, what? She’s from here? Or she traveled to the game? You buy her way here?”
“No. I didn’t buy her way here.”
“Where is she from?”
