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“You should definitely give Scarlet another shot. It’s obvious she’s still interested.” If he’s with someone else, maybe I’ll stop wanting him. “You two make sense.” And they would. They’re evenly matched. Her world experience is far more extensive than mine. Still, saying it out loud makes me want to vomit. “Anyway, you should go.”
He stands there a few more long seconds before he sighs and drops the fob on the counter. “I care about you,” he says softly.
Hearing that makes it so much worse. He’s mollifying, letting me down easy. Telling me without saying the words that whatever my feelings are, his don’t match. It’s the rejection I always knew would be there, but never wanted to hear. “Please, just go.” I tip my head back and will my tears not to fall.
Thankfully, Rix bursts through the door. “Girl, I think Tristan legit just broke my vag—oh, hi, Hollis.”
“Hi, Rix.”
“Tris and Roman are waiting for you and Flip in the lobby.” She thumbs over her shoulder, her gaze moving between us.
“I’m on my way down now.” He turns to me. “I’ll see you in a few days.”
“Yup.” I force a smile.
Rix waits until he’s gone before she whispers, “That seemed tense.”
“I need ice cream. And girl time,” I blurt. And promptly burst into tears.
Rix wraps her arms around me. “What the hell just happened?”
“Nothing. I’m getting my period.”
“Don’t be a liar-face. You had your period last week.” She pulls back, and her expression is all empathy.
It just makes me cry harder.
CHAPTER 8
HAMMER
“Who needs a top up on their drink?” I bring a fresh bottle of prosecco into the living room, along with another of sparkling grape.
A chorus of me’s follows.
I make a circuit around the room, filling glasses with the appropriate drink. Hemi, Tally, Shilpa, Rix, and Dred are over to watch tonight’s game. It’s a good break from all the angst up in my head.
“It’s a strong start to the game,” Hemi observes.
“Roman’s killing it in net tonight,” Shilpa adds.
“He was worried about this game, so I’m glad he’s playing smooth.” His goal has always been to go out on top, and so far he’s been making that happen.
“How are we for snacks? Does anyone need anything else?” I survey the table. “Should I top up the chips?”
“You should sit down and chill out for five minutes.” Rix pats the couch cushion beside her.
I set the bottles in the ice bucket and take the offered seat. The camera pans to the bench where Hollis is chewing on his mouth guard. I take a hefty gulp of my prosecco, relieved when the game goes to commercial break since I can’t tear my eyes away.
I mute the TV. “How’s everything going with your dance competition, Tally?”
“Good. It’s a complicated routine, but if we can pull it off, it’ll be a great finish to my senior year.”
“You will, you’re so dedicated,” Hemi says proudly.
“Are there any guys on your dance team that you’re interested in?” Dred asks.
Tally laughs. “For the most part those guys are interested in each other. But honestly, last year two of the people on my core troop started dating, and then there was drama and it just got awkward when they broke up. We spend so much time together, so we’re all close, and I can see how easy it would be to give in to that temptation, but the fallout sucks for everyone.”
