Page 32 of Not By the Playbook

I take one step back, then another, and let my breath hiss out.

Another fucking plan.

"I guess so," I mumble. I make a show out of shrugging off my shirt and turn to the dresser to grab another one. "Whatever you want."

“Well, we both need to stay in Jenna’s good books for now.”

My jaw tightens.Jenna. It’s always Jenna. For an infinitesimal second, it seemed like Rebecca was actually interested in me.What a chump.

“Fine. Just tell me how we are doing this.” I thrust a hand through my hair in irritation.

In the mirror, I see Rebecca pull up the calendar app on her phone. “When does Jenna move back to her place?”

“She leaves on Sunday,” I respond.

Only two days away.

“I see. Can I still stay here?” Becs taps her lips with her index finger.

I perk up, heart stuttering back into operation, but I keep my expression bland. “So, we continue as we are?”Maybe she doesn’t want this to end?

“Only until Jenna leaves. I’ll head back to my place as soon as she takes off,” Rebecca says.

I grunt.

She fiddles with her hair while I scowl. Her reiterated eagerness to end our arrangement makes the momentarily banked fury re-ignite in my chest. Rebecca can’t wait to be done with me. Step one: get the job. Now, onto step two: cross relationship with Logan off the list. She’s like Jenna that way—resourceful, ruthless, and ready to go after she wants. She made quick use of me that first morning, didn’t she?

Becs fishes a lipstick tube from her bag and turns to the mirror to swipe on a crimson shade over the neutral tones she’s been wearing. I must be some kind of masochist because even now I want her lips on my dick.

She continues, oblivious.“Once Jenna leaves, we can tell her we’re still seeing each other, but start dropping hints that things aren’t going well. I’m getting busy at work, you have away games…?” She meets my gaze in the reflection. “We pretend to let things fizzle out. If she asks, we’ll say the relationship didn't feel right to either of us. She won't be able to blame you for that.”

“Sounds like you’ve thought this through,” I say snidely.

“Well, I figured we might as well get things going.” For a second, Rebecca bites her lips but then quickly twists them into a smile. “And I’m sure you want your space back. Get things back to normal?”

“Sure, sure. Normal.” I strap on my belt and violently pull the leather ends together, before punching the prong through a well-worn puncture.

We finish dressing, neither of us breaching the tension that has settled over the room.

Finally, I clear my throat and grit out, “Let’s go. Jenna’s waiting.”

Chapter Nineteen

BECS

We’re backwhere it all started—the club Logan and I met at a week ago. Tonight is hot and humid, but it doesn’t matter. There is no waiting in line. One look at Logan and a bouncer is ushering us in. This is our swan song. The fat lady’s done and the bird is screeching. This time around, I am nursing a glass of white wine, the perfect accessory for a new HR coordinator. Stately and sophisticated. Cool, crisp, and dry in the sweat-soaked air.

Logan and Jenna chat. I am content to keep my contribution to the conversation at a minimum and bask in the success like the benevolent diplomat that I am. I should consider conflict resolution for my next job.

How about you start with the job at McCann before planning your next career move?

I would have been happy to skip the club altogether, and spending the night in with Logan. Instead, I’m in this sweatbox full of swaying bodies, and the DJ might as well be playing death metal. In one corner, there is a group celebrating a birthday, as evidenced by the pair of Mylar balloons shaped in a two and a five. The two is saggy. The air’s leaked out, bit by bit.

I should be celebrating. And for a second there, I was thrilled. Until Jenna said I deserved the job. Until it hit me that my time with Logan was up.

What did you expect? Limbo forever?

There’s a pop followed by a shriek, and then a roar of laughter from the group on the other side. The five balloon is done. Confetti rains down.

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