Page 93 of The Wrong Move

“Training. Then it’s game day on Saturday.”

I should know this. I let go of his hand and cup his cheek. “This is not the end of us. It’s a work commitment. I hope you understand.”

He leans down and kisses my cheek. “Safe travels, Gigi.”

24

BYRON

After training on Sunday morning,Simpson ribs Brandon about some chick. His head snaps toward me, his eyes wide like a fucking deer about to be crushed by a truck.

What did I miss?

Brandon and I were no angels when it came to girls. The past six months, though, something seems to have clicked. While I never swore off girls, Giana came into my life at the right time. I wanted security, something safe, and I understand my oldest brother wanting to be in a relationship rather than having one-night stands. It calms your world.

Brandon hasn’t mentioned anyone special, but as far as I’m aware, he hasn’t been looking. This was always going to be the year we were one hundred percent focused on basketball. This year, we want a damn championship ring.

“What the fuck are you on about, Simpson?” Giana is away, and I’m tense. All I can think about is that dickwad ex being around her. I’m not in the mood for Simpson’s bullshit.

Simpson pulls a weird face—one that screams You don’t know shit. I look at Brandon, and he shakes his head.

“He doesn’t know, does he?” Simpson bursts out laughing. “Man, BJ is going down tonight.”

I stare at Brandon. “What the fuck is going on?”

I’m pissed Simpson knows something about my best friend before me. Brandon and I tell each other everything. We started college together, and I took him under my wing as a freshman. With his family so far away in Australia, he stays at my house more than he goes back home. He is part of my family, and I’m closer to him than any of my family except for Charlotte. But the last two years, she’s wanted to break my balls for any little thing I do to step so much as a toe out of line, so yeah, I’m probably even closer to him than Charlotte.

Simpson coughs, “Charlotte,” then practically sprints out of the locker room. The guy has always been a jerk. I’d rather play a full game with a raccoon on crack than be on the court for a minute with him. I turn, expecting my sister to be walking into the room, but it’s just Brandon and me.

“What’s that dickwad on about?”

Brandon drops his bag to his feet and raises both hands before they fall to his side again. “We wanted to tell you together…”

“Huh? Tell me what?”

He bows his head, unable to look at me.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

He lifts his chin and meets my gaze directly.Christ, who died?

“Lottie and I are together.”

What?“How do you mean?”

“We’ve been seeing each other a while now.”

The fuck?I clench my fists as a ball of anger grows in my chest. Every muscle in my jaw tightens, and I’m unable to speak.I clench my teeth, picturing mybest fucking friendwith my sister in ways I can’t erase from my memory becauseI knowthe sort of thing my friend likes when it comes to sex. He’s bragged about it. And now he’s with my fuckingsister? Both have lied to me. Not to mention, he has broken the code that I took seriously.Family is off-limits.They took him in, and he took advantage of our friendship.

“You fucker,” I grind out.

I push him, and he stumbles back. I shove him harder, and his hands remain by his sides, even as he stumbles. He bows his head again so his blond curls hide his face.

“I know you hate me right now.”

“You have no fucking clue,” I yell.

I’m trembling with anger. The one thing I can’t stand is being lied to. I feel like I just lost my best friend.

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