Page 107 of Waiting Game

I grin at nothing, relieved to hear some lightness in her voice. “I hope she’s okay.”

“Fuck. Me too. Why are you calling? Are you ready for lessons?”

No, I saw you crying on cam and wanted to protect you from the world.

Somehow, I don’t think she’s ready for that answer.

Hell, I’m not ready for it either.

“I wasn’t lying about going back home.”

“Any bozo who makes up an excuse that involves their father and a heart attack needs smacking upside the head.”

That doesn't mean she believes me...

“You haven’t met my father, but ironically enough,hewas lying.”

She’s silent for a second. “Wait, what?”

“He lied about having a heart attack to get my family to go home.”

“Wow.”

“I know, right? Who does that?”

“Your father apparently.”

That has me grunting.

“Does he have Munchausen’s or something?”

“Munk-what?”

“You know, where you fake illnesses to—” She pauses. “No, wait. That’s when you make other people sick for attention. At least, I think that’s right.”

“I don’t know if he’s got that or a case of incurable massive egoitis, but whatever. He lied.”

“You stayed home all summer?”

“Some,” I hedge. “I came back because I got traded to the Stars.”

“I saw. Do they suck too?”

I smirk. “Not now that I’m on board.”

“I see the incurable case of massive egoitis is hereditary.” I can hear the amusement in her voice though. That’s a miracle in itself considering how she was on cam. She clears her throat. “So,areyou ready for lessons? I can fit you in but the hours might be?—”

“No. My schedule’s crazy. I was wondering if you wanted to meet up.”

A soft laugh escapes her. “My god, you weren’t lying when you said you were cheeky.”

“Fuck, you remember that?”

“It was a memorable conversation.”

There’s no way I can stop myself from preening at her admission.

“Then, what do you say?”

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