Page 49 of Exes Don't

TJ steps in front of me and holds up his hand. “Dude, would you stop pacing? You’re making me nervous.”

“Actually, it’s proven that pacing helps the brain process and sort information,” Poe pipes up from the kitchen where he’s putting together a snack board. The man’s charcuterie is the stuff of legends.

“Which begs the question…” Del sets down his bottle of water on the coffee table and holds his arms out to the side. “What needs so much processing that you’re wearing a hole in Poe’s hardwood floors?”

I sink down into an overstuffed chair and bury my head in my hands.

We’re all gathered at Poe’s place for our weekly guys’ night. We rotate houses during the season, but every week, we get together on Friday night. It’s a good way to keep focused ahead of game day. Saturday nights, we’re all together at the team hotel and in bed early anyway, but Friday nights, there’s the temptation to burn off some steam after a long week. Going out on the town, drinking, and staying out late would not help the team’s cause on Sunday, even with a day in between to recover. So, Friday night guys’ nights became a thing.

“Yeah, come on, man. Are you finally going to tell us what’s really going on between you and Rose?” TJ grabs the football Poe has sitting in the corner and starts tossing it to himself.

Poe walks into the room and sets down a platter of food on the coffee table before snatching the ball out of midair and taking it away from TJ.

“Hey!”

“I just got that new vase.” Poe points to the table inside his front door. “It’s a legit antique.”

“You don’t trust these hands?” TJ holds up his palms, flipping them back and forth.

Poe holds the ball out and points the tip at TJ. “On the field? Sure. But around my vase? Nope. No offense.”

“I am completely offended. I have great hands.”

“Shut it, you two. I want to hear what’s going on with Bates.” Del stares me down.

I sigh. “Rose will be here any minute.”

“That’s exactly why you need to tell us what’s the deal with you two…so we don’t do anything to embarrass you.” Del bats his eyes at me, and I narrow my gaze back.

“You wouldn’t.”

“Not intentionally, but how are we supposed to know?”

“I’m guessing I shouldn’t hit on her.” TJ sounds nonchalant, and I know he’s messing with me, but every muscle in my body clenches involuntarily at the thought.

TJ chuckles. “I’ll take that as a sign to keep my hands…my perfectly capable hands”—he scowls at Poe—“off.”

My blood pressure has now skyrocketed from thinking of anyone’s hands near or on Rose. I stand and start pacing again.

“Dude. Relax. We’ll be cool.” Del reaches forward and pops a grape into his mouth.

“We’re always cool,” Poe agrees. “We’re here to make you look good.”

“Like on the field,” TJ adds.

“So, tell us what’s going on so we can help,” Del finishes.

“Fine.” I sit back down and lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. The guys crowd around, and I feel like I should havesome sort of white board or something. It’s like I’m drawing up a play in the huddle, when in actuality, I’m outlining the greatest love and loss of my life.

Not to be dramatic or anything.

“I loved Rose once. She broke my heart. Having her come back into my life has made me realize that my feelings for her never went away. But I don’t know where she stands, and I don’t want to put myself out there if she’s going to trample on my heart again. It’s a complicated mess, and I don’t need y’all making it weird.”

TJ lets out a whistle. “So, this is your second chance at love…if you want it. But you’re not sure that you want it?”

“Basically. Mostly, I’m not sure ifshewantsme.”

TJ rubs his hands together. “It’s easy, then.”

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