Page 74 of His Team

Most times, I’ve only made it to the front door of the building. Now that I’m in her space, I feel like our relationship has just reached a new level.

“You can put those in the fridge if you plan to hang out for a while.” She gestures with her head for the kitchen. “What brings you here?”

“I can’t come check in on a friend?”

I walk over to the kitchen and place the beers inside the fridge. I grab two and walk back to the living room, where she’s now sitting with her head in her hands. It’s as I take in the scene fully that I notice the half empty bottle of tequila on the coffee table.

Next to it is a gift bag and tissue paper that looks like it was once inside the bag. I sit down beside her and place the beers on the table. I then place a hand on her back and begin to rub it.

“Talk to me, Mina. What’s going on?”

She looks up at me with tears in her eyes. When she opens her mouth, no words come out. She shrugs and points to the gift bag as her lips tremble.

I reach for the bag and look inside to see what has her like this. I take out what looks to be a card and read it first. It’s handwritten and signed by that asshole.

My Maribel,

Time is up. I thought it time you started to wear this. I will see you soon.

Your husband,

Dez

I have to fight not to crumble the card in my hand. I toss it down on the table and dig into the bag to pull out the box. When I open the box, I can’t help the low whistle that leaves my lips.

The guy didn’t cut any corners, although the princess-cut ring doesn’t say Amina. I would have gone for something totally different for her long, slender finger.

“Put it back in the bag. I don’t want to look at it,” she breathes beside me.

I close the box and toss it back into the bag. Once the bag is back on the coffee table, I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. I hate this for her.

“It just became real. I’m going to be married to some guy I don’t love and barely know beyond a few dates that I didn’t even know were dates in the first place. How is this happening?”

“Shh. I’ve got you. We’re going to get shit-faced and forget that thing ever arrived. Tonight, you get to be and do whatever you want without having to worry about that asshole,” I murmur into the top of her hair.

“What made you come here?” she sniffles.

“It felt like the right place to be. I was at a party, but something felt off. The girls there were …” I purse my lips and shake my head.

“Girls?” she snorts. “What were you doing worrying about girls?”

“Kay and I broke up a few weeks ago. I’m single. How do you not know this? Girls have been chasing me down since the night we broke up. I still don’t know how everyone found out.”

“Do you know how many times girls have tried to spread rumors about you being single or breaking up with your girlfriend? If I listened to half the rumors I’ve heard about you, we probably wouldn’t be friends.”

“I don’t think Kay is it for me. I want to see what’s out there before I commit myself to something I was told I should want.”

“Look at us. We’re a mess. You want some tequila? I might have started the party without you.”

I peck her cute little nose. I can tell she’s been drinking for a bit. Not only is the bottle half empty, but her nose is no longer brown.

“I can see that. Your nose looks like a little cherry. I didn’t think that was possible.”

“I guess you don’t think I can blush either.” Her words dropping with sarcasm.

“I know you can blush. I’ve seen it plenty of times. I’m the cause of it most of the time.”

She rolls her eyes and goes to stand. I reach for her hand to stop her. She looks back at me and lifts a brow.

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