Page 46 of Lessons in Heartbreak

“Like you didn’t sleep with just as many women as I did in college.”

“In college,” I pointed out, laying a hand on my chest. “I’ve grown. I’ve matured.”

“So if I asked you to streak through training camp, you’d say no?”

“I did that one time, asshole. We were nineteen.”

He laughed. “Remember Coach’s face?”

“Yes,” I answered grimly. “I also remember that was strike one of my three.”

Marcus’s face turned thoughtful. “What was strike two?”

We remembered at the same time. “His office,” we said in unison.

Marcus laughed. “He was cleaning glitter out of his files for weeks.”

“I can’t believe I stayed friends with you after all that. Why did I always get in trouble for your shitty ideas?”

“First, because I am excellent company. And second, because I was smart enough to let you have the spotlight.” He wagged his finger in the air. “You and your competitive streak. Even if it was just to set yourself apart from Barrett, it worked out very well for me.”

I snorted. “Yeah, because I always took the blame.”

“What a good friend, always wanting to come in first with the big impression.”

“Not anymore,” I said. “I’ll happily concede that spot to you. I’m an adult, Marcus. You should try it.”

“Fuck off, you mean to tell me you’ve turned into Barrett?” He snorted. “I know better than that. He’s got a stick up his ass so far I can’t believe it hasn’t come out of his mouth yet.”

It was odd talking to someone who still saw you as a very specific version of yourself. It wasn’t like I’d changed a lot, but Ihadchanged. It was subtle, something that had happened day by day, but it seemed—especially recently—that no one but me had noticed.

Marcus leaned in toward the screen. “I see a whole lot of nature behind you. Where the hell are you right now?”

“Staying at Steven’s place outside Fort Collins.”

“No you’re fucking not. You’re that close? Shit, Griffin, I can be there before dinner.” The background behind the phone was a blur,and only half of Marcus’s face appeared on the screen as he walked through his house. “He’s never invited me there, and I live in Denver. That prick.”

Before I could respond, the door to the library opened, the sun glinting off the glass, and I was smiling before I knew what was happening.

“I have plans tonight,” I told him, eyes lingering on the cut of her wide-leg pants as she walked and the pale-pink silk blouse that tied primly around her neck. Oh yeah. This was definitely her naughty-librarian look, but I decided it was best for my health if I didn’t tell her that.

“What the hell are you doing at his place? Is he there with you?”

“Nah. He grounded me so I wouldn’t piss anyone else off before the contract is signed in Denver.”

“Did he? Steven never messes around when he’s got money on the line.”

“Fuck off,” I said without any heat. “How about you? Still living in that stupid apartment?”

“The penthouse downtown? Yeah, asshole, I am. Chicks dig this too. They like all the glass windows, if you catch my drift.”

“Remind me not to touch anything if I come over.”

He laughed. “Oh, come on. When can we get together?”

Ruby set her hands on her hips and stared down at me, tapping her foot impatiently. I merely pointed at the phone, giving her an apologetic smile.

“Wait,” Marcus said. “Isn’t it your birthday soon?”

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