Page 39 of Never Your Girl

Except nothing could be further from the truth.

I look around at my teammates. These guys are the ones who’ve always had my back. The truth sits heavy on my tongue, but I can’t risk one of them letting it slip. This thing with Holland is too precarious.

Instead, I give them a small piece of the story. “Something happened with Holland a couple years ago,” I admit, voice low. “And she’s always been there, in the back of my mind. Whatever this is between us needs to run its course. All right?”

They stare at me, and for a second I think they’ll keep pushing, but then Ryder nods. “Okay.”

“Okay?” I blink. “That’s it? No more with the third degree?”

“We’re still concerned,” Maverick says, rising to his feet. “But if this is your way of getting closure, we’ll support it. Even if you’re not thinking clearly.”

“Or at all,” Ford adds with a smirk.

“I, for one, think their relationship is a match made in heaven,” Steele finally chokes out between laughs.

“Can we get to practice now?” I glare at them all. “Or are there more feelings you’d like to share in the circle of trust? I’m sure Coach would love to hear why his entire first line can’t be bothered to show up on time.”

They all groan and shuffle toward the door.

Ford pats my shoulder as he passes. “Don’t worry, man. If it all goes south with Holland, cat adoption is still a viable option.”

I flip him off but can’t help smiling.

The truth is, I have no idea what the hell I’m doing with Holland. But for now, I don’t have any other choice but to fake it until I figure it out.

Or until it blows up in my face.

Whichever comes first.

13

Holland

My eyelids flutter open to find Willow’s face looming way too close for comfort.

“It’s about time you woke up,” she says, perched on the edge of the bed. “I’ve been waiting here for at least fifteen minutes. I was about to start poking you.”

“That wouldn’t have ended well for you,” I slur, trying to find my bearings. It feels like I’ve been hit by a bus. “You’re never going to believe the crazy dream I had.”

She lifts a brow. “Is it any crazier than reality? The one where you’re dating Bridger Sanderson?”

I’m sorry, did she just say dating Bridger Sanderson?

I bolt upright and?—

What the fuck?

The navy walls of an unfamiliar room swim into focus. “Oh shit. Looks like it wasn’t a dream after all.” I flop back, dragging the pillow over my face as I contemplate the merits of suffocation.

“Oh no, girl. We need to talk about this.”

Oh God.

“Can we please do that after I’ve downed a gallon of coffee?” My voice comes out muffled.

“Absolutely not. I’ve had almost ten hours to let your news sink in, and I’m still in shock. You and Bridger? This isn’t something I saw coming.”

The denial sits on my tongue. But how can I explain without revealing everything? Including my job at the Envy Room?

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