Page 2 of Ready to Snap
“It’s not the charity that’s the problem. She wants me to be a speaker and discuss…” I take a deep breath, hating that I’m not strong enough to admit I still struggle with depression. “She wants me to talk about my mental health. Said it could help with my image.”
“She knows you’re in therapy for depression? Not just from trying to castrate your linebacker?” Russ’ question makes me pause; maybe I shouldn’t have told her.
“Yeah, but I don’t want to talk about it publicly. I don’t want to be a poster child for it. She understood and backed down, but still wants me to attend. And now I feel like an fuckin’ asshole—sorry, Vicky—for not being one of the speakers.”
“Let me guess,” he chuckles, “You’re now being a dick to Elle?”
“I hate that you know me so well.”
“It’s because he likes her. Don’t you, mate?” Luc teases.
I hate lying to him, but it’s bad enough Russ knows I’m fucking obsessed with Elle. I don’t need the rest of them knowing and giving me shit about it. Russ is in love with his coach’s sister, and now Ronan is pining after a reporter. They could understand better than anyone. Still, I don’t want to risk it, making a show of folding my arms over my chest and scoffing, “No.”
“We don’t need to discuss your emotional entanglement, but in our next session would you feel comfortable addressing why you shared your diagnosis with your media relations coordinator in the first place?”
“Yeah, sure. But there’s noemotional entanglement,” I insist. Though I’d love to be more than just ‘emotionally entangled.’ What I would give to wake up to her naked body tucked into mine after I fucked the attitude right out of her.
“Well, gentlemen, it seems that’s all we have time for today. Should you have any questions between now and next week, please do not hesitate to reach out.”
Vicky ends our call, and I shut down my laptop. As I’m plugging it in to charge, my phone vibrates with a text and I check it.
Russ
Stop being an ass to Elle. She’s doing her job.
Of course you would take her side.
She’s not like Scarlett, she’s a fucking pain in my ass.
True. She would totally peg you if given the chance.
Fuck off.
Respectfully.
It’s nearly midnight and I desperately want to go out, maybe have a drink or two. What I need is to find a shy, small-town girl who’s a freak in bed to get my mind off Elle… even if I’ll be imagining it’s her the whole fucking time.
Once I’m dressed, I’m a foot out the door when my phone vibrates in my pocket. It’s probably Russ and I check it.
Elle
Don’t forget you have an early morning interview with ESPN. I’ll meet you at the studio at 6 a.m.
Shit! I forgot about the interview she scheduled.
One drink and a quick fuck couldn’t hurt, right?
I’m locking up when there’s another message.
I know you read that. Please confirm you’ll be there on time.
Don’t worry, gorgeous. I’ll be there.
She’ll never let me live it down if I’m late or don’t show. I open my apartment door and kick off my shoes, then glance down at my hand and mutter, “Looks like it’s just you and me tonight.”
CHAPTER 1
ELLE
