Page 27 of In It to Win It

“Bullshit. He fucking jumped me because we were dancing together. Apparently, you two were seeing each other.”

“He’s an idiot.” I sigh. “He came to see me the day after the wedding and apologized.”

“What the fuck? He apologized to you?I’mthe one he should be apologizing to!”

He sounds so outraged I laugh. “He wasn’t apologizing for the fight.”

The air around us changes, vibrating with . . . something. “Fucker,” he mutters.

I shrug. Let him be pissed. I’m pissed too. At both of them. And myself.

“This is my house. I mean, my parents’.” I stop in front of the Craftsman home with the tall picket fence around it. “Thanks for walking me home even though I didn’t need it.” Byron is sniffing around the grass beside the gate. “Come on, Byron, let’s go in. Good night, JP. Good luck with your season.”

I leave him standing there as I open the gate and step into the yard, which is shadowed by palms and big fig trees.

“Wait.”

I turn, firming my lips. “What?”

“I have something that belongs to you.”

I frown, then it clicks and my eyes bug open.

He grins.

I start toward him. Does he have my panties in his pocket or something?

He shakes his head. “I don’t have them with me. I’m keeping them. Just reminding you.”

I freeze and glare at him. “Asshole.” Then I spin around and slam the gate shut behind me.

7

TAYLOR

Lacey doesn’t cometo yoga class, but she does agree to have lunch after it. She meets me at the marina and watches the last part of the class. Maybe she’ll be convinced to try it.

I meet her on the beach, carrying my board. "I just have to put the board away and grab my stuff. Be right back.”

Along with the others in the class, I trudge into the building housing Makara Yoga. It’s cool today, so I’m wearing leggings and a long-sleeved tee. Lacey and I are just going to walk over to Bandit’s, known for their fabulous shrimp, on the same marina basin as the yoga studio. It’s a casual place, so it doesn’t matter how I’m dressed. I slide my feet into my flip-flops and sling my purse over my shoulder.

“Did you hear about what happened in the game the other night?” Lacey asks as we walk there.

“What game?”

“The Golden Eagles versus Nashville.”

JP mentioned it the other night. “What happened?”

“Manny and JP got into a bit of a shoving match.”

“Oh Jesus. Really?”

“I didn’t see it, but Théo told me about it. It looked like Manny was chirping at him.”

“Damn. What is wrong with Manny?”

“Maybe he’s still mad because JP got the better of him that night at the wedding.”

---