Page 19 of The Way We Score

“They gave the partnership to Graham Turgison.” My eyes blink up to his. “They said I’d probably want to start a family soon, and I’d be glad not to have all the extra hours and work being a partner would require.”

Garrett shakes his head, letting out a low whistle. “A whole bag of dicks… Dammit, Liv, that sucks. I’m sorry.”

“The best part is I was right.” I laugh wryly. “He was sleeping around, all over town.”

“God…” Garrett pushes his hands against his thighs. “I hate this guy.”

“Of course, he tried to blame me. He said it was because he wanted kids, and I wouldn’t give him any.”

“Now I really hate this guy. He didn’t wrap it?”

“No, but don’t worry.” I hold up my hand. “I’ve been tested, and he didn’t make it worse by giving me a lifelong parting gift.”

“What a dick,” he quietly fumes.

I feel weak and wrung out, like I’ve been holding onto this information, and I finally let it go. I let it go on the guy I always knew I could trust. The guy who didn’t deserve to hear it.

“I’m sorry for dumping that on you.” My voice is quiet, and my cheeks heat. “I don’t know why I said all of that just now.”

A large hand covers mine, giving it a tight squeeze. “Because I care about you, Liv. Your secrets are safe with me. They always have been.”

Lifting the bottle, I take another long sip of beer. It’s true, but it’s still cringe.

“Do you know how humiliating it is to ask for an STI test when you’re married? It’s like admitting everything is fucked up. It’s like a bigloserstamp right on your forehead.”

“You are not a loser, Liv, your asshole ex is the loser.” A huff slips through my lips, but he’s right. I won’t argue. “As for being embarrassed, I bet that nurse didn’t even think about it. Hell, they test us all the time for shit. It’s just another day.”

“Well, it’s not for me.”

We’re quiet again, both with our forearms on our legs, our feet in the sand, looking out at the water.

“So it’s over?” I can’t tell if he’s concerned or merely curious.

“Yep, I signed the final papers before I left town.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t sound sorry.”

“Okay, I’m not sorry you divorced that jerkoff. I want to drive to Birmingham and kick his ass right now.”

A laugh bursts from my throat, and I cough on my sip of beer, covering my mouth with my hand as I wait for it to pass. “I’d love to see that.”

“You’re too smart for a guy like that.” He takes a sip of beer. “You’re way out of his league.”

“Oh, am I?” I sniff, not feeling it.

My eyes drift to his, and his expression has changed. The warmth I saw earlier, the care, has melted into something proud, maybe even a little possessive.

He looks at me like he’s remembering something we stopped doing a long time ago. His brow lowers, and my core tingles to life. I remember a time when a look like that led to me climbingonto his lap. It was a time when doing what we wanted was as easy as walking around the block.

“We’d better get back.” He stands, holding out his hand. “Your mom’s probably wondering where you are.”

I doubt she is. I’m sure she saw me walk out the door with Garrett Bradford, who has always been her favorite, and her night was made.

Still, he’s right. We can’t stay out here alone any longer.

Pushing off my legs, I stand. “You’re right. We’d better get back. It’s late.”

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