Page 78 of Playbook
I hook my pointer finger around hers and then run my thumb along the top of her hand.
“We made all these plans for the future. Marriage and kids. We even picked out names. Emily and Jackson.” She wrinkles up her nose like the names are ruined for her now. “He let me believe that we were going to have this happily ever after all the while lying and sleeping around behind my back.”
What a fucking asswipe. I grind my back teeth.
“I don’t get what kind of game he was playing. What was the point of stringing me along? Seems like a lot of effort for sex a few times a month.”
“I’m sorry,” I say. What I mean is I’d like to punch him for her. I doubt she’d find that romantic. “How’d you find out he was lying?”
“I surprised him. A terrible idea, in hindsight. I showed up at his dorm and he was with another girl. One of many I found out later. You know what was the most infuriating?”
“What?”
“He had the gall to act like I was overreacting. He didn’t really think it was cheating since we were at different schools.”
“Ah, the different area codes excuse,” I say dryly.
“Yeah. Funny how he never mentioned that as a stipulation in our relationship before. I could have been sleeping my way through the frat boys and jocks.”
“I can still help you with that last one,” I joke, trying to ease some of the hurt I can tell talking about it brings up for her.
She lets out a short laugh. “Anyway. That was two years ago, and I guess I still haven’t really gotten over it. I’m over him, just not what he did. I was so naïve.”
“You trusted him. That’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Though I get how hard it is to let people in after you’ve been jerked around.
She lets out a long breath and attempts to smile. “Let’s go back outside. It’s getting late and I know you need to leave soon. I’m not letting him ruin a perfectly good pool day.”
Nodding slowly, I intertwine our fingers as we walk outside together. I swing our hands lightly between us. “Hey, want to come shopping with me later?”
“Shopping?”
“Yeah, we need some more furniture for the apartment.”
Whether the amused expression is over my need for furniture or asking her to help, I’m not sure, but I’m glad when she agrees.
“Sure.” She shrugs.
I spot Chris out of the corner of my eye. He’s in the pool while his girlfriend lies on a towel at the edge on the opposite end. He glances up at London and me, then moves quickly toward Gretchen and pulls himself up next to her. He leans over and presses a kiss tenderly to her shoulder.
What an asshole. I really want to punch him.
For the next hour I notice a trend. Any time London is nearby, Chris is all over Gretchen. When she’s got her back turned or goes inside, he seems to forget he even has a girlfriend.
It’s the most bizarre thing I’ve ever witnessed. And I start to get a better understanding why London was feeling strange earlier. Her ex-boyfriend is dry-humping his new girl right under her nose like it’s a sport. It’s so obvious to me that he’s either trying to make her jealous because he’s an asshole, which pisses me off, or because he wants her, which for some reason pisses me off even more.
London and Sierra went to get popsicles from the freezer and when she steps out laughing with her sister, Chris picks that exact moment to kiss Gretchen. The grip on my water bottle tightens. This motherfucker.
I move without thinking.
She’s got an orange popsicle in one hand and in the other has another still in the wrapper. One for me, I’d bet my next paycheck on it. That makes something warm spread in my chest. I don’t think anyone’s ever brought me a popsicle before. And yes, I know it’s just a popsicle, but it’s more too. It’s considerate and thoughtful.
When I’m about six feet away, she notices me heading in her direction. The smile on her face falls away and her lips part in confusion. Sierra is still talking, but I don’t think London is listening anymore.
She stops when I’m right in front of her. Sierra’s voice trails off. I lean down, brushing her hair back as I whisper in her ear, “Sorry about this.”
“What—”
I cut off the question when I drop my mouth to hers. There’s a sharp inhale of breath and a second where I’m not sure if she’s going to kiss me back or shove me away. I thought I was doing this for her, but the moment I feel her lips against mine, it’s just us. I sweep my tongue in her mouth. She tastes like oranges and sugar. I want more. So much fucking more.
