Page 46 of How to Lose at Love

“Why are you making that face?”

She looks like she tasted a sour lemon before turning her back and walking away from me—again—backpack in tow, hell-bent on ignoring me. Whatever, nothing new. Ryann Winters doesn’t like me.

We’ve established this.

From the second I broke up with her on behalf of my dipshit teammate, she’s held a grudge. As if any of this were my fault.

“Why are you pissed? The fact that you don’t want to sleep with me is agoodthing.”

Honestly, she should be flattered.

“I was giving you a compliment.”

Her laugh rings out into the cold. “You’re hilarious.”

“I’m being serious. I need your help.”

“The last thing you need from me is myhelp, Dallas Colter.”

Suddenly, that’s the only thing I seem to need.

Why am I so determined to get her to agree to this? Why am I taking this as a challenge when it isn’t? What do I actually care if she pretends to be my girlfriend?

I’m going to get drafted—the odds are in my favor.

My father played for the Texas Steers. My brother plays for the Texas Steers. They are legends.

I am a legacy.

I will be a legend.

Not to brag.

“I didn’t take you for a wuss, Winters.”

She snorts. “Oh, please—do you think reverse psychology will work? I’m not an eight-year-old boy.” Her keys are in her hand and she’s punching at the keypad on the front door of her apartment complex. “Are you coming in or not?”

“You’re inviting me in?” Shit. I take it as a good sign that she hasn’t told me to fuck off and that she’s willing to negotiate. “Sweet.”

“Only because I don’t want to be seen with you outside. I don’t want my neighbors to see us.”

That’s a first. A womannotwanting to be seen with me? Who would have thought.

“Gee, thanks.”

Her apartment is on the ground level, and I’m surprised by how good it smells when I step inside. Ryann dumps her bag on the floor by the door, kicks off her black boots, and walks around the small island to stand in the kitchen.

She braces her elbows on the countertop, leaning forward and watching me.

“What does it entail?” She holds up her hand. “Notthat I’m interested.”

“I don’t know.” My answer is honest. This whole plan is very half-assed; I’ve thought none of this through. “Probably going out in public a few times, being seen on campus.” I pause. “Maybe hanging out at my place to keep the neighbor girls from wantin’ to hang out.”

Ryann turns and opens a cabinet, pulling out a cup. “You want something to drink?”

“No, thanks.”

She nods, filling hers up with water. Takes sips from it, watches me over the brim.

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