Page 11 of Comeback
“Well, his name is Jack, FYI.”
Nicole planted her feet on the ground, the porch swing rocking to a halt. “Wait, you mean you actuallymethim?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Kinda hard not to meet him when Mackenzie is yelling and pointing at him. I still can’t believe she did that—but I’m so happy, Nicky. I feel like I have some hope now.”
“That’s the blue kyanite,” Nicole said. “Told you it’d work.”
“So what’s his deal?” I asked. “Does he have a job?”
“Rollerblade Guy? I don’t know. There’s a rumor that he’s a retired hockey player trying to get back into shape so he can go back to the pros or something.”
I laughed out loud. “I doubt that. First of all, he’s way too young to be retired. Second, have youseenhim? Guy isbuilt.Why would he need to get ‘back’ into shape? He’s already in fantasticshape—”
“Oh my God.” Nicole’s jaw opened and she gave me an amused glare. “You think he’s hot, don’t you?”
I laughed. “Well? Don’t you? I mean, my God, those thighs!”
Jeff stood and excused himself with a polite smile. “I’ll let you ladies talk.”
I watched him leave with a frown. “I didn’t upset him, did I? Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Don’t worry about him. Jeff’s a teddy bear.” Nicole wiped her hand through the air. “Anyway, whatever happened to swearing men off altogether? What about Mack being your number one priority?”
“Mackismy number one priority. It just so happens that she talked when he appeared, so ofcourseI was a little more interested in him than I’d normally be. And I’m not saying I’mready for a relationship or anything—I think the guy’s cute, so what? It’s not a big deal.”
Nicole shook her head. “You never should’ve worn that ring on your ring finger.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I’d be careful around that guy.”
“Careful? Why?”
“Word around town is that he’s a fuckboy.”
“Aw,” I groaned. “Really?”
“Mm-hm. Supposedly, he has a really nice lakefront house and a party boat that he uses to lure tourist babes in. Then they sleep with him, because hey, ‘I’m on vacation and this hot rich guy is hitting on me.’ Who wouldn’t, right?But apparently he acts like a total asshole afterward. Which is funny, ‘cause it’s not like those girls are looking for a relationship—I mean, obviously, they’retourists;they’re only in town for a few days. But he must be doingsomething asshole-ish to make those rumors spread, right? Anyway, that’s just what I’ve heard.”
“Ugh.” My shoulders slumped. “Hedidask if I was visiting.”
Nicole chuckled. “I bet he was trying to run game on you.”
“Great,” I said sarcastically. “Anything else I should know?”
“Um … I’ve heard he’s like,superfucked-up in the head.”
“Awesome,” I grumbled.
My hopes were completely dashed, and my heart crumpled like a piece of scrap paper. Then I felt stupid because, deep down, I knew I shouldn’t care to learn that Jack was trash—I’d onlyjustmet him, and probably wouldn’t see him ever again. The fact that I was bummed for a fraction of a second only proved that I was gettingwaytoo ahead of myself.
“In that case,” I said, “I hope hedoesn’tshow up at my work tomorrow.”
Nicole reared back. “Wait, why the hell would he do that?”
I told her about the money mishap, and my offer to buy him lunch. But I told her he didn’t seem interested in it.
“Hm.” Nicole tapped her chin in thought. “If he only goes for tourists, maybe he wouldn’t go for a local girl? Maybe that’s why he didn’t jump at your offer.”
