Page 8 of Playbook
“Can you just be a petty bitch for a minute?”
That pulls a laugh out of me. “She graduated with a Masters in Social Work and volunteers at the food bank twice a week. Oh, and she was a competitive runner in college.”
Both of Alec’s brows shoot up. “I don’t even want to know how you know so much about this woman. Have you been stalking her online since you got home?”
“His mom was all too happy to brag about ‘Chris’s lovely new girlfriend.’ She never liked me for him.”
LikeIwas the problem.
She thought I was too indecisive and lacking ambition. Iwasindecisive but I take offense to the other thing. I only lacked ambition because I was getting a degree for a job that wasn’t the right fit for me. Once I found something I was passionate about, that changed. Or maybe I just desperately need to tell myself that. I’m a people pleaser and I hate knowing she thinks I’m not good enough for her son. Even if I don’t want him back.
“I like your ex less with every new detail I learn. He should have stopped his mom from hyping up his new girl in front of you. Full stop. That’s not cool.”
I shrug. The whole thing was awkward. I’m not giving Chris a pass—I never give him a pass—but there’s no good way to interactwith your ex and his family. His dad had the decency to look a little embarrassed on my behalf, but I did my best to seem indifferent. What do I care if he’s dating a smart, kind model who can run the four hundred in under two minutes? He is not my business anymore.
“Yeah, well, it doesn’t matter. I hope they are very happy together.”
“No, you don’t.”
“No, I don’t, but only because he’s the worst.” I take another sip. “He’s going to be my brother-in-law.”
“Technically, he’ll be Sierra’s brother-in-law.”
I groan. “How am I going to avoid him forever as planned?”
“Easy. Come home with me for all future holidays.”
“Tempting,” I say with a smile because I know he’d let me tag along with him any time I wanted. “Also, can we talk about the other thing? Because he’s not why I’m upset.”
Alec looks like he’s fighting a retort, so I add, “Really.He’s not. He’s still awful and smug and all the things I remembered, but my little sister is gettingmarried.”
“I thought you liked Ben.”
“I do. I love Ben. Aside from being Chris’s brother, he’s basically perfect. But don’t you think they’re kind of young? She just turned twenty-two. And it’s fast. They’re planning the wedding for late October.”
Alec doesn’t seem to follow because his facial expression doesn’t shift into the shock and judgment that I’m waiting for.
“That’s less than three months away.”
“I guess that’s a little fast. Is she pregnant?”
“No. She was drinking at brunch. I think they’rejust that in love.”
“Okay.” He laughs softly. “So they won’t have their pick of venue or DJ. None of this sounds like cause for worry.”
“I don’t want her to rush into anything and then have regrets. That’s all.” I mean, how well do you really know a person after dating for only a year? It took me twice that long to figure out Chris was bad news.
He nods thoughtfully. “If I’ve learned anything from dating women for twenty-five years now, it’s that you can’t change their minds if they’re set on something.”
“You started dating when you were in diapers?”
“You’d be surprised how young I was,” he says.
I snort. I actually wouldn’t be. Alec has the kind of charm and charisma that speaks of years of wooing the opposite sex. “And that’s all you’ve learned?”
“That and to always say no when asked if any article of clothing makes you look fat.” He smiles proudly, then that expression softens. “You can’t stop her from marrying the guy she loves just because you’re scared he might turn into his brother one day. And, hey, if he does, you know a great divorce lawyer. Two by then, if she graduates on schedule.”
I scowl at my roommate, then take another drink of straight vodka. It still burns and I grimace. I’m more of a hard seltzer or mixed drink girl, but Alec loves his vodka and always keeps us stocked.
