Page 83 of Unlovable Player

I sure as fuck don’t owe Gray anything, but whatever.

“Let’s leave these two to catch up.” I drag Gray to the bar with me.

While we’re waiting for our beer, Gray leans in and says, “man, I wish my mom was as cool as her.”

“Didn’t you just say she was hot?”

“She is.”

“You know I’m not blind right? I can tell she’s beautiful too. Just because I’m gay-”

He holds his hands up. “Sorry man, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“You didn’t offend me.”

“You know no one gives a shit about you being gay right, that’s not why-” he trails off, rubbing the back of his neck while his ears turn pink.

“Not why you all hate me?”

He laughs awkwardly and before he can protest, the bartender puts our pitcher down and Gray carries it back to the table while I get the glasses.

“It’s fine,” I tell him. “I’m used to people hating me.”

Before he can say anything, we’ve reached the table. I put the glasses down and Austin starts pouring us all a beer.

Lisa makes a toast to the team and we all drink.

“I have news too,” Austin says.

I can feel my face splitting into a smile at what he’s about to say, but my heart is sinking too.

“Boston have been in touch with my agent-.”

Lisa actually squeals. It’s not a noise I’d ever expect from her, but if it were ever warranted, now is the time. She puts her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide, and Austin laughs.

“I’m so proud of you!”

“Yeah man, that’s cool, we knew you’d do it.” Gray says around his beer.

While Lisa hugs Austin, I feel myself slide into the background.

The food arrives and we all dig in. It’s nice seeing Lisa and Austin next to each other, eating and catching up. We finish off the pitcher and I go up to get another. Lisa follows.

“You’re not paying for this one,” she says, opening her purse.

“I’m not, my dad is.”

I flash the platinum AMEX, but Lisa just rolls her eyes.

“Put your money away kid, it’s no good here.”

She catches the attention of the student bartender right away and he walks over with a cocky smile, though I can see he’s actually nervous when he asks her what she wants to drink. I lean in and whisper, “he’s totally into you.”

She throws her head back and laughs. “He’s younger than Austin.”

I shrug. “So what.”

“What about you?” She nudges my leg with her hip.

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