Page 84 of Unlovable Player

“What about me?”

“You’re not seeing anyone?”

“You’re not my type.”

She slaps my arm. “Cheeky.”

“No, I’m not seeing anyone. What about you?”

She shakes her head.

“You could you know, you’re a total fox.”

She blows a raspberry. “Please, I’m far too busy and important for men.”

“I think Austin would kill whoever you brought home.”

“He’s very protective, but he doesn’t have to worry, I can take care of myself.”

“I think that’s pretty obvious.”

She smiles at me and squints her eyes, like she’s seeing something I hadn’t meant to share.

“He’s protective over you too.”

“Me?” I look away, my face getting hot. “I don’t think so.”

The bartender brings our beers over and I move to grab the pitcher, but Lisa puts a hand on my arm. She’s surprisingly strong.

“You’re a good guy Seb, don’t ever let anyone tell you different.”

My breath catches in my chest, and before I can say anything, she’s grabbed the pitcher from me and is carrying it back to the table.

“Man, you let Lisa carry the pitcher?” Gray says when I get back.

“Huh?”

Austin gives me a look, one of our secret signals I’d almost forgotten existed, asking me what’s wrong.

He follows me into the bathroom and before he can say anything, I make a joke about leaving Gray with his mom.

“He’s annoying, but he’s not a predator.”

Austin unzips his fly and stands a couple of urinals away.

“Everything alright?”

“Yeah, fine. Your mom seems really happy.”

He nods and I don’t think he’s going to respond when he says, “she was asking about you, when you were at the bar with Gray.”

I think about making a joke. Telling him I already told her she’s not my type, but I can’t. Jokes just don’t cut it anymore with him.

“What was she saying?”

“She was just asking me what you were doing after graduation. I told her you’d applied for an internship in Vancouver.”

“I got it.”

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