Page 14 of Tee the Season
“Give me one second,” Rory says, his tone easy.
I should slip out before—
But his eyes find mine across the room, over the screen. There’s no panic there, just a steady, almost amused look that says,Well, this is happening. As if getting caught at my place was inevitable.
My feet are planted on the hardwood when Hays’s voice booms through the laptop speakers. “Holy shit, Leah was right! I owe her fifty bucks!”
Heat creeps up my neck, but it’s more annoyance than embarrassment. Of course, Hays would recognize my place and not waste a second before giving Rory a hard time.
I shoot Rory a look that clearly says, Your best friend is the worst,and yank open the door. Behind me, Rory’s voice rumbles, calm and unbothered. “Yeah, I’m here at Tabitha’s.”
No deflection. No excuses. Just stating facts.
Hays’s bark of laughter follows me into the stairwell as I tug the door closed behind me. “You dog! Leah said you two were heading for round two when you left last night, but I told her no way. I was sure you were just getting a ride to the hotel because you don’t do seconds. Ever. And here you are, still at her place the next morning!”
“Are we doing this now?” Rory’s tone is patient but amused. The voice of someone who’s dealt with Hays for years and knows exactly how to handle it.
“Hell, yes, we’re doing this now! You’ve been moping around for months—”
“I haven’t been moping—”
“You’ve been moping. And now, you’re breaking your cardinal rule during a snowstorm and you expect me not to give you shit about it?”
“Anything else you’d like to add?” Rory’s voice carries a smile I can hear even through the door.
“Don’t deflect. What happened toone night, no repeats, keep it simple? That’s been your motto since forever.”
I should head downstairs, but I’m stuck with one hand on the railing, unable to resist eavesdropping.
“We should probably talk about the season schedule,” Rory says, trying to steer the conversation.
“Oh no. No way. You don’t get to dodge this.” Then, as if Hays is looking away, I hear, “Leah! LEAH! Get in here!”
“I hate you,” Rory deadpans, without an ounce of heat.
“No, you don’t. You love me.”
“Can we focus?”
“We will. Right after you tell me if this is just a snowed-in situation or if you’re finally admitting you’ve been into her since the wedding.”
My breath catches. I wait. And wait some more. Nothing. Just…silence.
“That’s what I thought,” Hays says, satisfaction dripping from every word. “Man, Leah’s going to lose her mind when I tell her—”
“Tell her what?” Leah’s voice comes through, slightly distant. “What are you yelling about?”
“I was wrong! Rory’s at Tabitha’s apartment. They did go for round two. You were right.”
“Of course, I was.”
I shake my head, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips as I take the stairs down to the store, not wanting to be discovered when chances are good my phone is going to—
It buzzes before I even make it to the bookstore’s back office.
“Hey, Leah,” I answer, trying for breezy as I grab the extra cardigan I keep on the back of my desk chair then click on the space heater.
“Don’t youHey, Leahme.” Her voice is bright with barely contained glee. “I just won fifty bucks! Hays didn’t believe me when I said you two were heading for round two last night.”
