Page 101 of Biggest Player

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Huh. Interesting.

Me:

Which kids?

Dex:

My friends have kids—give me some credit. They all love Uncle Dex ... especially Kalen Baker’s son. Loved that drum kit I sent him for Christmas.

Me:

OMG I would hate you.

Dex:

Yeah, Kalen hates me all right LOL

I smile at the screen, feeling a flutter of anticipation.

Chapter 22

Dex

I settle on rock climbing.

I figure it will be fun for Wyatt, and also, I get to see Margot’s lower half in one of those harnesses you’re required to wear.

Plus.

She’ll get to see me in one, too,if you catch my drift.

We agree to meet at the climbing center. It’s crowded, but not everyone is participating in rock climbing—they have miniature golf, too, something she and I have done already in a roundabout way.

I lean against a tall column in the lobby waiting, wondering if I should be outside watching for them, second-guessing myself.

So unlike me.

Stuff my hands in the pockets of my athletic pants, trying my best to look casual.

It’s an impossible task.

The last time I feltcasualandunaffectedwas ... at a bar, probably. It helps knowing there’s no need to exert effort when people approach me,and bypeople, I mean women. I do not go to them. Don’t have to.

Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re thinking—I sound cocky and arrogant and not worthy of a woman like Margot because I’m an immature bag of shit, and to that I say: So what?

I never claimed to be perfect, and I’ve been up front from the beginning.

Mostly.

The way I see it, I’m up against three things when it comes to Margot and her affection:

She straight up told me to my facenotto fuck with her unless I was serious. She is a package deal.

I’m fucking with her anyway, even though I’m not in the market for said package.

I’m keeping a secret from her now, and it may or may not fester, depending on how I spin the truth. To myself, or to her.

Time will tell.

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