Page 41 of While You Were Trending

Not my old hockey buddies, even Alex, becauseI’m going to Ginny’s sister’s weddingwouldn’t be a fun conversation.

Didn’t mention it to my old coaches or college friends who’ve checked in on me since I gave up trying to get a job in hockey.

My parents and brother don’t know either, and we talk or text nearly every day.

“I’m sure he wasn’t the only one,” Cricket says quickly. “It was bound to happen sooner or later.”

“I just wish my baby’d gotten her full honeymoon before it happened,” Freida says.

I’m about to throw up in my mouth.

She sounds sincere, but I’m positive she’s putting on an act.

Cricket eyes me, then looks back at Freida. “I need to tell Mabel. The tractor will have to wait.”

Heath grabs me by the back of the collar. “To think I trusted you in my home.”

He’s no slouch, but I’m still taller and broader than he is, and I’ve never been one to shy away from throwing a punch.

But I let him manhandle me anyway.

Part of the ruse.

“Apologies,” I say. “I won’t do it again.”

“Damn right you won’t.”

“I can’t even tell you how disappointed I am in you,” Freida says to me.

My jaw clenches hard.

The fuckingnerveof that woman, telling me she’s disappointed in me.

But if playing along gets her the hell out of here before Ginny has to deal with her again, I’ll stand here and take her abuse all day long.

Except—

“You told them what?”

Fuck.

Ginny’s here.

Here with her curly hair spilling all over her shoulders, in a black dress printed with cherries, her blue eyes big and wary as they dart between me and her mother.

She heard all of that.

She thinks I’m the bad guy.

And if I change my story now, it’ll only make things worse.

8

REVENGE OF THE BIRDS

Ginny

No.