Page 73 of The Groupie

“Nowicki is at your place with Suzie because he thought you were out of town,” Finn says.

Normally in a situation like this I’d find someone to hook up with and go to their place. Forcing myself to look around, I don’t see a single woman who interests me. Not even a little. Not even the sweet server who has a crush on me and would take me home without batting her fake eyelashes.

Candice nudges me, “You know you can always stay at my place. I mean, no strings. We can play it by ear.”

She sounds sincere but there’s too much hope in her eyes and I wouldn’t do that to a woman, not any woman, not even Candice Montgomery, the recent bane of my existence who’s now, heaven forbid, growing on me. Strictly as a friend. Shit.

“I can’t go home with you, Candice. I’m in love with someone else.”

“Really?” she sounds more excited than disappointed and I laugh an ironic laugh.

Finn gives a hoot. “You’re shitting us?”

“Really. I’ve been struck by Cupid’s bow to put it in the ridiculous language of the Bachelor of the Year article.”

“That’s spectacular,” Candice says. “Is it Rylee? Please let it be Rylee—nothing personal, Sheila.”

I zip my mouth because it was stupid to admit I’m in love in a bar to this group when I’ve barely admitted it to myself. But all it took was a few beers and the threat of spending a night with Candice to make me talk like a fool. I can’t mention Rylee’s name. I still feel protective of her and Candice isn’t exactly discrete.

But who knew I should have clamped a hand over Sheila’s overly talkative mouth? Me. I should have known.

“No problem, Candice” Sheila says. “You’re right. It is Rylee... She’d be perfect material for a follow-up article. I’ll bet she wins a medal in the halfpipe at the Olympics. You know she’s a snowboarder, right?”

I take a healthy gulp to finish my beer, only half listening to their conversation because the whole point of coming out tonight was to forget about Rylee, not talk about her.

“Yes. I heard.” She eyes me because I’m the one who told her all about Rylee and the Olympics when I asked her to score the Magazine show interview. “But there is one wrinkle.” She taps her chin with a perfectly manicured finger. She has my attention and I don’t like the look on her face or the ominous sound of what she might have to say. She stares back at me, not talking, waiting for something.

I put my empty bottle down, trying not to lose my patience. “What’s the wrinkle, Candice?”

“I saw some social media recently and it looked like she was dating the Olympic coach, Chuck Banner?”

The words hit me like a puck to the groin without a cup.

“She’s not dating that fucking loser.”

“Tell me how you really feel.” She pauses and levels her calculating look at me.

“What?”

“Does Rylee know how you feel?” Candice smiles, but it’s an understanding smile as if she really gets this shit. Sheila levels the same look at me. It’s like everyone else in the world knows about relationships but me.

“Sure,” I say though I’m anything but sure. “She must know. It’s obvious.” Shit.

“Bingo. You never told her, did you?” Candice says. I shake my head in confirmation. “She has no idea.”

“I… have no idea if she has any idea. You think it matters?” I can’t believe I’m asking Candice, the Bachelor of the Year lady for relationship advice.

“Shit. Are you asking Candice for relationship advice?” Finn says, leaning over in time to catch the worst part of the conversation.

“Fuck you.” Candice and I both say at the same time. Finn laughs. I laugh. It’s a small laugh, but the first since I got to Utah and laid eyes on Rylee when she was being held in the asshole coach’s arms. But I know better. She’s not with him.

“You need to tell her,” Candice says in a gentle voice with more sympathy than calculation and she reminds me of my mom only younger and ugh, totally different.

“She’s right,” Finn says. “You need to lay it all on the line. Spell it all out and spill your guts. It’s like in a game when you leave everything on the ice and give it the best game you have. Then if you lose at least you have no regrets.”

Leave it to Finn to put it in language I understand. A shiver of terror runs through my body at the prospect of leaving my emotions bare-ass naked for Rylee to trample all over.

But what’s my alternative. They all look at me expectantly, like I’m going to leave now and run back to Park City.