Page 110 of The Baller

“Why are we going ice skating?”

“Because it’s fun, and when you date someone, you sometimes do things as a whole friend group.” I snatched up my beanie, wondering why I was having to explain this to Tanner. “Plus, Radley wants to spend a day in public, so this is what we’re doing.”

In fairness to him, he hadn’t been awake long, even though it was almost lunchtime.

“Ace never makes us do things as a friend group.”

Hmmm, that was very true. We never did things with Payton’s friend group… I didn’t even know much about them; just that it was Kit, Radley’s professor, plus Beulah Holmes, and Lowe… oh, that’s why.

“Payton’s friend group includes our boss, the Lions head of communications, and the Lions head of legal. Do you really want to party with them?”

He yawned, scratching across his stomach. “Good point.”

I know I didn’t. Plus, I wasn’t exactly in Lowe Slater’s good gracesright now due to the increased interest in my personal life, and the fact I forgot to call her back. Between the Lions PR department and the White House press office, there’d been a lot of no comment statements sent out in the last month. No doubt there’d be more today, after we’d been spotted skating or eating, or whatever we were going to do. Kissing… yeah, there’d definitely be some of that. I’d make sure of it.

“It’s our last full day together until New Year’s Eve.”

“And just think, by then you’ll have met the President of the United States.”

I swallowed hard, easing the momentary tightness which gripped my chest the way it had done every time I thought about meeting Radley’s parents. I couldn’t help it. No matter how much I tried to stop it happening, denied itwashappening every time it got mentioned, but the facts were that after Christmas, I was going to the White House to meet the President. So, yeah, I was shitting myself.

I tried again. “I’m flying out tomorrow, so is Ace. Everyone’s coming skating. Are you really going to stay here by yourself?” I didn’t know why I was having to ask. I mean, we both knew he wasn’t going to. Out of all of us, Tanner was the one with major FOMO. “We’re going to go for tacos first.”

His head popped back around the fridge door as he paused his search for something to eat. “Is Radley’s hot best friend going to be there?”

“Her name’s Millie.”

“Is Millie going to be there?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you say that in the first place?” he walked over and cupped my cheeks. “You know I’m always here to give you any support you need. You’re my buddy, and if you need me to be part of this friend group ice skating thing today, then you got it, bud.”

My eye roll could have been seen from space.

“Thanks, I appreciate it. Now could you get in the shower? We’re leaving in five minutes.” I grabbed his shoulders and spun him around in the direction of his bedroom. “Parker, hurry up!” I yelled as Tanner jogged off.

“I’m here,” he announced quietly from the couch, like he’d been sitting there all along, which he hadn’t.

Sometimes I felt like I was herding cats.

“Are you ready to leave?” I asked, eyeing him suspiciously because he looked ready, but with Parker, there would always be something he’d forgotten right as we called the elevator.

He yanked a beanie – that looked exactly like oneIowned – over his short dark hair, and stood up. “Yup.”

“Good.”

He unwrapped a stick of gum and folded it into his mouth. “Why are your panties all twisted?”

“They’re not.”

“They seem twisted.”

“Well, they’re not!” I snapped.

His eyes widened. “Okaaay.”

“I don’t want to be late. I don’t want Radley waiting for us, and even though I told you guys about it a week ago, you’re acting like you only found out this morning. And as much as I really don’t want you guys to make me look bad, I’m not holding my breath.”

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