Page 50 of Betting on the Best Friend
“No one is winning yet,” Alton says, stepping toward Ruby. I hold my hand up as a warning that I’ll remove him from her space again if he gets any closer.
“Game over and date over,” she says.
I take her paddle and shove it against his chest, forcing him to grab it so it doesn’t fall.
“Lose her number,” I tell him. “Sydney, ready to go?”
She scoops up my paddle and jogs over to hand both of ours to Alton, who bobbles them.
“Bye,” she says, wiggling her fingers at Alton before she slips her arm through Ruby’s.
“I like you,” Ruby says.
“So mutual,” Sydney says.
I slide my hands in my pockets and stroll off the court behind them, not bothering with a backward glance.
“Ava does not win,” I say as we exit the gate.
“She loses big time,” Ruby says. “And she owes me chocolate.”
We head to the parking lot and stop at Ruby’s car. I turn to Sydney. “How do you feel about driving my car to your place? I’ll make sure Ruby gets home and take a Lyft over to you.”
“No way,” Ruby says. “I appreciate you, Chuck, but I’m fine, and I can get myself home fine. You should finish your date.”
Sydney slides her arm from Ruby’s and slips it through mine. “Works for me.”
I watch Ruby for any signs of jealousy, but she only nods.
“Cool,” she says, opening her door. “Have fun, kids.”
Sydney waits until Ruby has driven off before she lets go of me. “Charlie?”
Her tone is gentle. Resigned.
“Yes, partner-in-stupid-crime?” I brace myself for whatever she feels reluctant to tell me.
She glances in the direction Ruby disappeared before meeting my eyes again. “Bad news. That date didn’t go well for anyone. We need to talk.”
Chapter Seventeen
Charlie
Sydney and I decideto have our discussion at a nearby café.
All she said as we drove over is that she has thoughts on me and Ruby, but it’s enough to make my stomach clench. I can handle anything except Sydney telling me to give up, and I’m worried that’s what she’s about to tell me.
I order the biggest burger on the menu. I need red meat to trigger my manly courage for this talk.
“Lay it on me,” I tell her when we choose a table. “Might as well get this over with.”
She stirs her drink, her expression thoughtful. “I’m still onboard if you want to keep going with this plan.”
I raise my eyebrows. “But you think I shouldn’t?”
“My opinion is evolving. I didn’t realize how deep your friendship with Ruby runs until these dates. You guys have whole conversations with a look, and you don’t even know you’re doing it. That’s a bestie thing.”
“Are you telling me to appreciate it for what it is and give up on the idea of more?”
