Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
I made a joke about him shitting his pants, for God’s sake.
“Let’s be honest—that’s one of the reasons he likes you,” Ava says sweetly, always the supportive one and always looking for a silver lining. Her optimism is one of the reasons I knew I needed her on the team for Kissmet, and I will always be grateful that she believes in my vision.
“I’m sure he loves my smart mouth so much,” I say. “And he’s out in the living room with my horrible little dog, and he’s already met my father, who won’t leave him alone.” I moan. “I’m pretty sure my dad is planning the wedding.”
“I’m pretty sure Danny is already planning your wedding.” Portia laughs.
“Um, would you blame me?” Danny flips his hair. “Do you blame us? He’s literally everyone’s wet dream. He is a professional football player, and he’s hot.” He pauses. “My father wouldn’t give a shit about me being gay if I brought home Landon Burke.”
“Hold up,” Portia interrupts. “So wait. You didn’t tell us—did no one bother you while you guys were in the restaurant? How is there a photograph of the two of you already on the internet?”
I shrug. “I was wondering the same thing. I mean, yeah—people were one-hundred-percent staring. That mustache he loves so much isn’t convincing. But considering this is a small town, and there’s a pro team here, seeing players around isn’t unusual. He said most people don’t want to bother them, especially if they’re with their families or partner.”
“So he called you his partner?”
“No! He wasn’t calling me his partner, he was just giving an example.”
Why are my friends like this?
“My guess is that because he’s not on our team, people were actually tripping at seeing him in Green Bay. They’re used to seeing our players around town.”
True. “I guess I hadn’t thought of that.”
“I’m going to be your maid of honor,” Danny announces to the group. “I call dibs.”
“You can’t call dibs on maid of honor, you bitch,” Portia shouts.
“Please,” he scoffs. “I already have a dress and a suit picked out online, and now I’m looking at white shoes.”
Portia gasps. “Oh my God, Harlow, think of all the handbags you can buy when you are hot and heavy.”
“Portia, you did not just say that.” Ava laughs. “She couldn’t give two shits about handbags. Have you seen the tote she carries instead of a purse?”
“Hey, what’s wrong with my tote?” They can be such assholes when they want to be. “I have no use for designer bags, where am I going to carry them? To the dollar store?”
Ava shakes her head. “I still cannot believe Landon Burke is right under our noses. Like, I could literally get in my car right now, and in five minutes be at your house and staring into his eyes. That’s crazy.”
“For serious,” Danny says. “My fucking mind is blown. Like I want to go out tonight and celebrate. Who wants to go out, get drunk, stay out all night, and call in sick to work tomorrow because Harlow is banging a hottie?”
All three of my friends raise their hands.
“You are not calling in sick tomorrow!” I laugh. “We have to go over the in-app purchases, dickheads.”
“Oh, poor you—you’re just there getting laid by the most famous wide receiver in the Americas, boo-hoo.” Danny makes a crying face, hamming it up for the camera. “The rest of us losers will be in our lame apartments working on our early Christmas lists so my new, hot stepzaddy can buy me things.”
“I’m not after him for his money.”
“We know you’re not, baby doll.” Ava giggles. “You’ll literally be the worst WAG in the league.”
They all laugh.
“I don’t know what a WAG is, but it doesn’t sound like a compliment,” I answer honestly.
“Just do yourself a favor and don’t google any of his past relationships.” Danny’s evil laugh punctuates his sentence.
Portia groans. “Dude—why the hell would you say that? Now she’s going to google his past relationships and freak herself out.”
“Listen, honey.” Danny sighs with importance, directing his comment at Portia. “There’s something romantic about the athlete and the girl no one expects him to choose, isn’t there? She’ll be fine.”
Fine?
I am not fine.
Not after I go online once we end our call—like Danny told me specifically not to do. Because that is exactly the dumb bullshit I do, sit on the toilet and google Landon Burke girlfriends. The search results leave me staring at my cell phone screen and make me want to cry—or curl up in a ball, at least. Or run off to the nearest derma spa and rearrange my face.
Or not walk out of this bathroom at all. Climb out the window, perhaps?
You cannot stay in here and hide all night.
But . . . but he dated a supermodel.
So what?
Um, and an actress.