Page 32 of The Long Game

“That’s not what I said. You are one of the most determined assholes I’ve ever met. If you wanted to make it work with anyone, you could. And I think you're stubborn enough that you’d succeed. You never quit. It’s why you’re a good athlete and a good friend. But I see headlines one minute and you’re telling me you are in love with my sister the next. If you want to be the man for my sister, you will be. It’s as simple as that. I just want to see the proof.”

“A diamond ring.”

“You know my requirements.” He gives a disapproving groan. “I think I should tell you something though.”

“What?”

“Lexi’s seeing someone. I think it’s new. Brielle and I ran into them at a restaurant last week. Just thought you should know.”

“What the fuck?” I whisper to myself.

“Didn’t much care for the guy myself but we spent two minutes with them, so what do I know? Didn’t seem like her type.”

“What’s her type?”

“Ballers named Tucker Evans.”

My ears perk up. “Why do you say that?”

“She cried three days straight at the lake house when I showed up. When I found your razor in the bathroom, I put it together. She also asks about you a lot.”

“She does?”

He doesn’t answer.

“I gotta go,” I say.

“Good luck…I think.”

He clicks off.

I try to call Lexi first. I only make it through two rings before I’m sent to voicemail. I send off a rapid tex.

Tucker: Why did you silence my call?

Lexi: I’m in Honolulu with Lilly. What do you need?

Tucker: For you to tell me who you’re seeing. I found out from your brother.

Lexi: You go first.

Tucker: Me?

Lexi: The woman from your team’s P.R.

I try to call again. Hearing her chipper voice telling me to leave a message makes me feel a strange blend of angry and sad.

Tucker: Lexi, answer your phone.

Lexi: This is exactly why this won’t work. This is what I was afraid of. Getting in arguments over stuff. The insecurities we would both have. Long distance is too hard. Move on, be happy with her.

Tucker:I’m not dating her

Tucker:I’m not sleeping with her

Tucker: I’m not with her in ANY capacity. She needed help. You would know all of this if we were speaking.

Tucker: Who’s the dick your brother hates?

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