Page 16 of Broken Hearts
“That’s gotta take a toll. Why don’t you block her number?”
“Nah,” I say automatically. “You think?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. Sucky situation all around.”
“Definitely. I think she’ll stop on her own. It’s probably just routine. We spent most of our relationship on the damn phone.” It took me almost two weeks to stop reaching for it the second I woke up every morning.
Our food comes, and we fall quiet as we devour greasy burgers and fries.
“Had any other catastrophic run-ins with the opposite sex I should know about?” Adam tries and fails to keep a straight face.
“No,” I grumble around a mouthful of food.
He leans back in his chair, smiling at my expense. “Don’t worry. I’m sure you have plenty more opportunities in front of you.”
“Not if word gets around that I fall asleep on chicks or give them black eyes.”
Adam chuckles. “You just need a good wingman.” He points at himself.
“What about Reagan?”
“The best wingmen are in relationships. It’s what keeps them from swooping in and stealing the chicks for ourselves. Especially with your weak game.”
“That and knowing Dakota would cut you if you hurt Reagan.”
He nods. “That too. Come on. It’ll be fun. Finish your food, and let’s go to the bar. I recognize a friend of Ginny’s I can introduce you to.”
I’m not really interested in putting on a smile and making small talk, but ten minutes later, I’m following him to the half-circle bar along the back wall of The Hideout.
Adam never looks out of place or uncomfortable. I admire that about him. I don’t know what to say or how to act with girls after being in a relationship for so long. No one expected much from me when I was with Carrie. I was off-limits. That made me more intriguing for some girls, but I just faded into the background for most. I’m good with fading into the background.
“Ava?” Adam approaches a girl with short, black hair at the bar.
She turns in her seat. “Adam, hey!”
She tucks her hair behind her ear and sits a little straighter. She’s clearly surprised we’ve approached her, but Adam being Adam quickly puts her at ease.
“Good to see you. Have you met my buddy, Rhett?”
Her dark gaze slides to me. She smiles politely and raises a hand in a cute, shy wave. “I don’t think so.”
“Nice to meet you, Ava.” I wave back.
“You too.”
Adam shifts closer to me and mutters under his breath, “Ask to buy her a drink.”
I’m pretty sure Ava heard him, but I ask her anyway. “Can I buy you a drink?”
“Umm…” she starts.
“Excuse me,” a deep voice says behind me, and I sidestep to let the guy pass. He goes straight for the empty chair next to Ava and takes a seat. He swivels around so that his knees rest against Ava’s.
Ava looks at her lap. “This is my boyfriend, Trent. He’s visiting for the week.”
Awesome. I’m hitting on girls while their boyfriend is in the shitter now. It’s a new low.
Adam clears his throat, hiding a laugh. “That’s great. Where are you from?”
