Page 41 of The Fake Out Flex

"Thanks. You, too, Evie."

6

Fraser

I pace back and forth, waiting for Evie outside.

I've put my sunglasses on and am keeping my head down, hoping to keep a low profile and not get recognized right now. That's the last thing I need. I am not in the mood for any more chit-chat.

Or smiling.

Or selfies…

I'm irritated.

It bothers me that Evie's inside talking to that guy. I would never challenge her on it or stop her from doing it. She's free to talk to whomever she wants to talk to. But it doesn't mean I have to like it.

A group of people exit the venue. I hide behind some bushes, wait until they're gone, and then duck into the entry. I scan the bar searching for Evie. But the place is too crowded. I'm unable to spot her.

I step back outside and resume pacing. Throw in some grumbling under my breath for good measure.

Let's break it down.

Pros about today:

One.

Evie knocking the breath out of my lungs when I stepped into her old bedroom.

As if the memories of the time I spent there flooding back weren't enough, the way she looked…

Man. Beyond sensational.

Although, if I'm being honest, Evie's just as much a knockout in leggings, an old hockey jersey, and Ugg Boots.

Correction. Ugh boots.

But still, with her hair swept up, her shoulders exposed, and that lavender dress hugging her body in all the right places, it took everything I had in me not to sweep her into my arms and never let her go.

Two.

Spending time with her.

I meant what I told her as we were leaving her parent's place. I've been looking forward to this day ever since Levi first brought it up. And that was over two months ago.

Because let's face it. This is it. My one and only shot at getting to spend some time alone with her.

There's never any other reason for just the two of us to hang out. I might see her occasionally after a home game if she sticks around, but Levi and a million other people are always milling about.

And I might stumble into her in town when I'm back visiting family, but that's never planned and never for longer than it takes to exchange a few pleasantries and for her to recap whatever latest feedback notes she'd emailed me.

I've had weeks to prepare myself for today and mentally compartmentalize everything in a way that makes it possible for me to enjoy spending this time with her without doing anything stupid like blurting out my feelings and turning what's already bound to be a tough day for her into a complete disaster.

Evie deserves to be with a great guy. Someone who not only treats her well—base requirement—but who also has emotional intelligence and the ability to communicate. As Tori liked to remind me during our many, many fights before we broke up, I'm a prickly, closed-off robot with the talking skills of a cactus.

There must be something wrong with me because I just can't do it. I've had a few relationships, and every time, it's the same issue.

Me.

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