Page 27 of The Problem with Players

“That’s fine. I just hate Nathan, not his brothers,” I said as I picked up the piece of pork belly and took a bite. My eyes rolled backward from pure bliss. Thank goodness I didn’t hate his brothers. That meat was tender and delicious. However I was certain it had more to do with Alex and less with the Pierce brothers.

“Dang, that’s tasty,” I said.

“I work at the best spot,” she agreed. She leaned against the countertop and smiled my way. “So you and Nathan Pierce. How do you think it will be working with him?”

Hell.

A pain in my ass.

I shrugged. “It will be fine.”

“He’s handsome, isn’t he?” she asked, popping a piece of pork belly into her mouth.

I had to remind myself that Tatiana didn’t know about Nathan’s and my short-lived past. If she had known, she wouldn’t have been so freely speaking of his praises. Or maybe she would’ve. Tatiana often gave people second and third chances.

I wasn’t.

“I didn’t notice,” I lied.

I did notice how handsome Nathan had been. I noticed so much that it made me want to vomit. I just wish I couldun-notice.

“How could you not notice? I know you’re an engaged girl, but woman to woman, I think we can both agree that he hit the lottery with his looks. Did you witness that man walk away, too? He has the perfect, plump baseball butt.”

“Tatiana, too much info.”

She shrugged and opened another container. “I’m just saying. I like his butt. I envy his butt. It made me almost want todo squats to tighten my own. But then again, the thought of working out makes my eye twitch, so I started watchingThe Officeagain for the eighteen-millionth time.”

“Seems like the right choice to me.”

“Same here. So.” She handed me a fork to taste the rice dish in front of her. “Tell me how everything’s going with wedding planning. We’re right around the corner, huh?”

“Yup, and I am not ready.”

She smiled. “We never really are.”

We talked the rest of the evening about anything and everything—except for Nathan. I was happy his name didn’t circle back around. The last thing I needed to do was speak more about his bubble butt.

And yeah, okay. I’ve seen the behind of Nathaniel Pierce once or twice as he walked away.

Those two cheeks of his might’ve made me want to do a few squats, too.

After working sohard to avoid Nathan, I’d now have to spend time with him at least five days a week. I felt a strong amount of annoyance every time I saw his face. Each time I saw him, I was reminded of how he walked out on me and chose baseball over our love.

I hated him.

I knew it was silly, and I should’ve gotten over it after all these years, but there was something so cocky about him reappearing in my life, getting a job on my team, and acting like we were just supposed to be good friends after all that transpired between us.

I knew Yara was into her enemies-to-lovers romance novels, but this felt more like a lovers-to-enemies plotline without a cheesy happily ever after.

Everything about him made my skin crawl.

I hated how the guys on the team idolized him. How their eyes lit up with interest whenever Nathan spoke to them. I hated how he smiled his cocky smile whenever he’d teach the guys something, and they’d excel at it. I hated how he told me I was doing a great job.

Screw you, Nathaniel! Of course, I know I’m doing a great job!

I didn’t need his praise. If anything, I needed him to shut up.

I loathed that man. I hated how he smiled, how he spoke, how he smelled like oak trees soaked in lemon drops. I hated how he chewed gum. How he clapped his hands. How he wore a backward baseball hat. I hated his breathing pattern, and his eyes, and his stupid dimples.

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