Page 1 of How to Lose at Love

one

dallas

“The best way to start a relationship is not to start one at all.”

– Dallas Colter

“I don’t meanto sound like a cynic, but why are you datin’ her to begin with?”

With my foot up on the locker room bench—the one directly in front of my cubby—I glance over at my teammate Diego, who’s standing beside me, his hands poised to grab the padding around his shoulders. He’s keen to spill his guts about some girl he’s dating, something about breaking up with her andblah blah fucking blah I don’t have time for his bellyaching.

His face is scrunched up like he didn’t understand the question.

“Why am I dating her to begin with?” He shrugs. “I dunno. I thought we’d have a ton of sex and it would be more fun.”

“Fun? Banging thesamechick all the time?”

Honestly, I’m not banging anyone at all, so it’s not as if I have any room to talk.

But still.

That’s beside the point.

I finish tying my sneakers, then rise to my full height. Smack Diego on his uniform chest plate with a smirk.

“I said Ithoughtwe’d have tons of sex—I didn’t say wewerehaving tons of sex.”

“And how’s that workin’ out for you? Your dick fall off yet?”

“It’s not working out.” He pulls at the waistband of his shorts and takes a look down the front. “And no, it hasn’t.”

“Why ain’t it workin’ out?”

Diego follows me to the drinking fountain where I intend to fill up my water bottle. He’s like a stray puppy who’s lost his way—or a pestering fly that won’t quit dive-bombing me.

Too bad I can’t swat the bastard away.

“There’s no chemistry.”

That sounds like ahimproblem, not a Dallas problem.

Still, I humor the guy, raising a brow, feigning interest. “Shouldn’t you have realized there was no chemistry after your first date?”

I’m no expert, but that part seems obvious.

“How the hell should I know? I’ve never had a girlfriend before!” His voice has risen an octave, panic across his brow.

“You’ve never had a girlfriend before?”

“No.”

Now why on earth does this fact surprise me? It shouldn’t. Lots of my teammates haven’t had relationships. Being a serious athlete doesn’t leave much downtime, let alone time for dating.

Fucking, yes.

Dating, no.

“Yeah, me neither.” I scowl at him because he hasn’t left my side and insists on breathing down my neck. “How long have the two of y’all been together?”

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