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I inhale the fresh scent of pine and dirt, but it’s not having the same effect now that I’m dreading seeing Ethan, and worse, Chase said Charlotte watched the game with him last weekend. And I really don’t want to see her.

But… I’ll also get to see Blake…

Maybe it’ll be so warm, he’ll decide to take his shirt off again.

Suddenly, even the cold breeze isn’t enough to cool me down.

It was nice of him to come today, especially considering he won the bet.

Spontaneously, I grab my cell phone from my back pocket and open a message for Blake.

I’ve never really exchanged messages with Blake before. Ethan was always the person he talked to when organizing a get-together. The last message on my screen is from three months ago when he wished me happy birthday.

I type, Thanks for coming today. It meant a lot. Mayor Anderson even complimented me on a job well done.

I read it over three times, then take a deep breath and hit send.

I wait.

No answer.

I carry my phone in my hand for the rest of the walk.

Still no answer.

Finally, I stuff it back in my back pocket, feeling absolutely ridiculous.

He’ll answer when he answers. Or won’t. Doesn’t matter.

Chase and I go home in the evening and get ready for bed.

I kiss him and tell him goodnight, then go to my own bed and turn out the lights.

I open the reading app on my phone, still reading the dry business book, when my phone vibrates and tells me I got a message from Blake.

Happy to be of service.

I’m glad the lights are off, because my face warms remembering him saying that he can help me out with one great night of sex.

That’s probably not where his thoughts went though…

Another message pops up.

Are you coming to the game tomorrow?

Then one second later another.

You should. If you want…

Then…

Don’t let Ethan dictate what you can and can’t do.

Now, I’m smiling like a goof. And very glad that I already decided to go.

I am. I’m organizing the post-game punch party.

Good, he answers. See you tomorrow then.