Page 49 of Hard to Take

“This one’s her favorite. But I guess it’s not happening.”

We hit up some thrift stores and are laden down with bags by the time we grab lunch. On our way out, I pause to admire a wall of framed photos of the restaurant over the years. I always thought these displays were kind of kitschy, but something about the black-and-white smiling faces grabs my attention.

A crowd comes in and I finally turn for the door, running smack into another woman.

“Brooke,” she says, eyes widening with shock.

“Caroline.”

My former sorority sister looks composed as ever, a soft pink wool coat buttoned up to her throat, her cheeks flushed from the cold and her blond hair smoothed into a low ponytail.

Nova’s waiting expectantly, so I introduce them.

“Kevin’s not here?” I ask, silently willing the answer to be no.

“I’m alone. He’s at work,” Caroline adds, as if the reason matters. “I’ve been doing almost all the wedding planning myself.”

The reminder that they’re engaged elicits a twinge from my stomach, but nothing like when they announced it.

“That must be taxing,” I say evenly.

“You have no idea.” She cuts a look toward the door, the whites of her eyes shine in the overhead lights.

Under closer inspection, the flush that I attributed to the cold extends across her entire complexion. She’s stressed, or maybe sick.

“Are you okay?” I ask Caroline.

Caroline blinks twice. “Perfect. Nice to meet you,” she says to Nova.

Trouble in paradise? I wonder.

I should feel vindicated, but most, I feel sad.

“Were you ever friends?” Nova asks as slip out the front doors.

“In the early days at college, I thought we were,” I admit. “I don’t trust her anymore.”

“When you’re in a bad moment, it’s so easy to forget the good ones.”

13

MILES

I’m not the guy to get stressed out. Even in playoffs last year, I wasn’t on edge because Clay and Jay had it under control.

Now, I’m our number one option on the court.

That plus the potential endorsement deal are making me sweat.

The midseason tournament is heating up. We’re playing the semi-finals today and they’re at home.

Lately, my morning routine before a game became getting up and hitting the gym for a quick run before making coffee. It used to be for coffee one, but for the past couple weeks, it’s for two.

I like making Brooke her almond milk latte. If I have time, I’ll decorate the top to make her laugh.

When I get out of the shower this morning, Brooke’s already fussing with the machine.

“What’re you doing, Princess?”

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