Page 159 of How to Lose at Love

“Is Ryann available, please?”

A woman’s voice fills my eardrum, one that’s pleasant and soft-spoken.

“Who is this calling?”

There’s a pause. “My name is Posey Kettner.”

Posey.

Where have I heard that name before? Where have I heard that name before?My brain checks my memory bank for information, but I come up blank, no recollection of a Posey Kettner popping up.

“What is this concerning?”

I sound so professional.

“Dallas Colter. I’m actually family.”

Oh, shit.

Posey!

Posey Kettner.

My brain clicks, filing her under: Duke Colter’s girlfriend. The kindergarten teacher I’ve heard so much about.

Then my brain automatically thinks,Shit—what could Posey Summervale possibly be calling me for?

“Oh.” I breathe out, suddenly tense. “This is Ryann.”

“Ryann. So good to hear your voice.”

It sounds like she’s smiling through the phone, and from what I know about her, she most likely is.

“It’s a shame we haven’t gotten to meet in person, but I know how busy everyone is, especially with school and studying.”

I have no idea what to say to that.

“But. That’s not the reason I called. I know your time is valuable, so I’ll get to the point.”

A woman after my own heart.

Get to the point because the suspense is killing me.

“I called because I know a little bit of what you might be going through and suspect you feel like you’re alone in all this. So, I wanted to share an experience I had with my boyfriend, Duke—Dallas’s brother—that might help you understand the Colter men in general, and perhaps shed some light on what they have to deal with on a daily basis.”

I nod. “Okay.”

She sounds exactly like a kindergarten teacher, tender and kind.

Patient.

“While I haven’t been dating Duke terribly long—it’s been about a year—we had a hiccup at the beginning of our relationship that had me questioning myself and him.”

I open my mouth to speak but close it so she can continue.

“As you’re aware, groupies and female fans come with the territory, some of them harmless—some of them brazen and destructive. Unfortunately, they come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s nothing to be done about it.”

Hanging on her every word, I give a quiet hum so she knows I’m still on the line.

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