Page 97 of How to Score Off Field

“Desperate? Fuck you. All I did was ask what you thought the problem might be.”

Drake puts a hand over his heart. "Ah, the trials and tribulations of the modern long-distance text-based romance.How tragic."

I laugh, feeling the tension from earlier melt away. "Yeah, yeah, mock all you want. Just remember, when you need help deciphering Daisy’s love for cat memes, I'll be here with my world-renowned meme expertise."

Drake raises his hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough. Now, let's get serious. What's your plan for getting Tess to text you back? I mean, dude, maybe you should just let it go. Find someone here. Wasn’t that the original plan?”

No, that washisoriginal plan, and that plan failed miserably.

Case in point: he’s dating the one decent prospect he found for me.

I chuckle, shaking my head. "I think I'll start by sending her a bouquet of eggplant emoji. Subtle yet profound."

Drake snorts. "Ah, the language of love. You're a true poet, bro."

As we continue to roast each other I realize how lucky I am to have a brother like Drake. Someone who can always make me laugh, even in the midst of romantic turmoil.

“Know who we should call for advice?”

“Who?”

“Duke.”

“No. Hell no.” I laugh because the idea sounds hideous. “Over my dead body.”

“That can be arranged.”

“Dude. All I want is for some closure—if she truly wants nothin’ to do with me, I want to know so I can move on.”

But with any luck, Tess and I will be back to texting and flirting and—dare I hope, naked video chatting—like our usual goofy selves in no time.

CHAPTER35

TESS

GHOSTED IN OCTOBER? HOW FESTIVE. BOO!

Drew: Hey, Tess! Long time no hear. Are you ghosting me, or did your phone decide to take a vacation? Everything alright?

Drew: Hey. Just checking in again. Did I…do something to offend you?

Drew: So listen. I don’t want to be weird or keep hounding you if you’re not interested, but now I’m getting worried everything isn’t okay?

I stareat the text messages Drew has sent me. There are a half dozen of them, and each one he sends has my heart breaking further.

I don’t know what to say.

Obviously.

But I can’t continue not saying anything at all. I owe it to him to explain why I’ve been so quiet, but no way can I tell him the truth.

Not all of it.

Not yet.

Tess: Hey, Drew! Sorry for the silence. No ghosting, I promise! Just got caught up in the chaos of life. You're not getting off the hook that easily. Ha ha.

Drew: Phew, thought I was about to be the star of a "How to Lose a Friend in 10 Messages" sequel. Life's chaos, huh

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