Page 39 of The Tip-Off
Zeke: What are you up to?
Me: Getting ready to nap and listening to my playlist.
Zeke: Enjoy, beautiful girl
18
Zeke
Nathan takes a cut,his ball hooks to the left, and he swears under his breath.
“Think that haircut took your chill ‘tude with it,” Wes says.
“I can’t believe you cut your hair just to get friend-zoned.” Shaw chuckles as he steps up to the tee, pulling his driver cold like he knows what he’s doing.
“Yeah, well how was I supposed to know Zebby was real.”
My head snaps up at one of the many couple names Joel has been trying out in reference to me and Gabby. “What?”
Nathan shoves his golf club into the bag and stalks off toward the clubhouse without answering.
“Did I miss something?” I ask and look to the guys.
Wes lets out a sigh. “He likes Gabby and I think he might be a little pissed with all the attention Gake or Zebby, or whatever your couple name is, getting after you posted that photo last night.”
“Shit. I had no idea.”
“He’ll get over it.” Shaw dismisses it with a wave of his hand and takes a generous swing, shanking the ball.
I go after Nathan, not entirely sure what I’m going to say or do when I catch him. He finds his words before I do. “Let me guess, you had no idea and you’re sorry?”
I falter. “I didn’t and I am.”
His jaw tightens as the bartender slides a beer in front of him. “Can I get one of those too?” I ask and place enough cash on the bar to cover both drinks.
We sit in silence until I’ve got my beer in hand.
“Sorry, man, I really didn’t know.”
He stares at me with hurt and anger flashing in his blue eyes. “Yeah, I know. You never do. You’ve got big things on the horizon and you’re laser-focused. We all know, man. It’s the same excuse every time you skip out on a party or forget someone’s birthday. ‘That’s just Z, he’s going to the NBA.’ Like that gives you a pass for not giving a shit about anyone but yourself.”
“Not give a shit? I’ve saved your ass more times than I can count. Carried you home when you were too wasted to walk, stopped you from going postal in the middle of the night. Don’t tell me I haven’t been there.”
His eyes flare and he takes another swallow of his beer and then stands. “Gabby is a cool chick and she and I were probably never going to happen anyway, but if you break her heart, I will not hesitate to punch you in the face. I don’t care how many times you think you’ve saved my ass.”
* * *
By the time we get to the bar later that night, Nathan’s mood seems to have bounced back. Mine has not. The more I think about what he said, the more I wonder if he’s right.
Gabby springs toward where I sit at the outside bar. It’s a huge place with three bars in total. One outside, and two inside on each of the two levels.
“Come with us upstairs,” she urges, looping her arm through Nathan’s. “There’s a dance floor that overlooks the water.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Come on.” Her voice pleads and I look to Nathan hoping he’ll give me some sign what to do.
He stops a waitress carrying a tray of shots and gets three, handing one to Gabby and then me in some sort of alcoholic peace offering.
