Page 7 of The Purest Fake

She shrugs. “If you say so. Also, I saw a recap of the highlights from yesterday’s game. You kicked ass.” She’s always been one of my biggest cheerleaders.

“Thanks.”

“I wish I could’ve been there. Stupid work schedule.” She graduated from college last year with a liberal arts degree, and still doesn’t know what she wants to do. While she’s deciding, she’s working in a local coffee shop.

“No worries. I don’t expect you to attend every home game.”

She presses her lips together. “But I like to witness all of your great plays in person.”

“I know you do, and that’s all that matters. Don’t beat yourself up every time you can’t be there.”

“Where did you go after the game?”

“O’Toole’s.”

“Who was there?”

“Rogan and his girlfriend Autumn, her best friend Scarlett, and a couple other teammates.”

She pouts. “Damn. Now I really wish I’d made it to the game. I could’ve met Autumn and her friend. It would be nice to hang out with some women I don’t see at work every day.”

“I don’t want you near any of the players on my team. They’d eat you up and spit you out.”

She puts her hands on her hips. “As if.”

“Don’t act like you’re some experienced hardass. They’d pick up on your innocence in two seconds flat and you’d become their next challenge.”

“You told me your teammates were nice.”

“Yeah, they are, but I’m a guy. When it comes to women, they’re all out to get laid.”

“You’re not like that.”

“I’m not. But believe me, I’m the exception.”

“You can’t protect me forever.”

“Who says?” I smile.

“How long did you stay at the restaurant?”

“I don’t know. A couple of hours maybe. I left with everyone else.”

“Wow. I can’t believe you lasted that long. You’re usually the first to go.”

I shrug one shoulder. “We were celebrating.”

She studies me closely. “There’s more to it than that.”

Dammit. One of the hardest parts of having a twin is they know you better than anyone else.

“I was having fun.”

“With?”

“Everyone.” She raises an eyebrow and stares at me until I relent. “I was talking with Scarlett.”

Her eyes go round. “Oooh.”

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