Page 10 of Anti Player

“That costs money and I wouldn’t be able to work,” she explains.

“The girl I’m seeing works for a catering company. Maybe I can ask her if they are looking for chefs,” I offer.

“Any credible company won’t hire me as a chef without the proper school credentials,” Maddie responds.

“You aren’t seeing her. You haven’t even gone on a date with her,” Brett announces, and I want to kill him. “Damn, this is good,” he compliments, eating more shrimp creole.

I roll my eyes. “Whatever.” He needs to shut his mouth. Especially in front of Maddie. She is the last person I want to know about my virginity issues.

“I can ask Connor to ask Ellie about the chick who owns the catering company. Connor said she was a friend of Ellie’s family. That’s a better connection. Taylor was waitstaff. We need to make sure Maddie gets her foot in the door,” Brett says.

“Who are Connor and Ellie?” Maddie asks.

“Connor is our teammate. He just married Ellie. He has a cute kid named Sydney. Asher would like her,” Brett says. “They live in the building.”

“A girl,” Asher says, scrunching his face.

Maddie laughs and rolls her eyes. “I’ll take any help I can getting a job.”

“I’ll call Connor,” Brett states.

“Thanks,” Maddie says.

“You’ll like Ellie, she’s nice, if you’re looking for friends in the city,” I suggest. From what I remember, she always had a hard time with girlfriends.

Maddie stands and offers Brett and me some red wine, saying it will complement the braised lamb. She pours each of us a glass and sits back down.

“So why haven’t you gone out with Taylor?” Brett pushes.

“Leave it alone,” I urge, but my friend isn’t good at taking the hint.

“You’re a virgin, Kaleb,” Brett spews like I need the reminder.

I drop my fork on my plate, just as Maddie spews the wine she was about to gulp down. Her blue eyes are wide and she watches Brett with a crooked smile.

“What the fuck, Brett?” I hiss.

“It’s just family here,” he says.

“Guys, my son is five,” Maddie reminds.

“Sorry,” Brett says, but he’s sorry for being inappropriate he’s not about embarrassing me. And I do not consider Maddie family. I’ve wanted in her pants since high school.

“That was messed up.” I get up to walk away.

“You can’t be serious,” Maddie says, and I pause.

“What’s a virgin?” Asher asks.

I squeeze my eyes shut. This is seriously getting worse by the minute.

“Don’t worry about it, honey. It’s adult stuff,” Maddie deflects.

“I’m outta here,” I say, and I get up. “Thanks for the meal, Mad Pie.” I leave. I’m pissed at Brett, but I am also pissed about not getting the braised lamb.

“Kaleb, wait,” Maddie says.

“Just leave it,” I advise her.

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