Page 52 of Play It Off

“I was heavier then,” Ryland doesn’t hesitate to add. “After I graduated from high school, I worked on shedding all that extra weight.”

“Good for you,” Nico says encouragingly, reminding me of a meddling little gremlin. I send him a look, and his eyes go wide. Playing Mr. Innocent—such a crock of shit. “You look great, man.”

“Thanks.” Ryland dips his head in acknowledgment, and I really look at him, realizing that he’s ... oh shit. He’s shorter than Sienna.

And how does she feel about that, hmm? I’ve even heard her say over the years that she could never date a guy who’s shorter than her. Around five ten, I believe? The three of us tower over her. But this guy?

Nope.

“We should get going,” Sienna says, not even looking in my direction. “Have a good night, guys!”

“Nice meeting you,” Nico tells Ryland while Coop calls out his goodbyes.

Me? I remain silent, settling onto the bench seat and reaching for my beer, taking a big swallow.

I’d love to get drunk and forget this night ever happened.

Chapter NineteenSienna

I hightail it out of Hector’s, Ryland keeping up with me and talking nonstop about how great it was to see my brother again, while my only goal is to get away from Gavin as quickly as possible.

Oh, he looked freakingpissedseeing me with another guy. He wouldn’t stop watching us. I could feel his heated gaze on me practically the entire time once they arrived. I was watching him, too, as covertly as possible, and the moment he got up to order more beer—figures—I took my shot and brought Ryland over to talk to Coop and meet Nico. I knew if I didn’t, I’d never hear the end of it from my brother.

Ugh, Nico. He was grinning like a loon and loving every minute of me standing there with Ryland because I’m sure Gavin had some sort of reaction and Nico picked up on it.

But my brother? Nope. He’s clueless. He didn’t seem to mind seeing me with Ryland, but I don’t know if he figured out it was a date. I was trying to keep it casual, but come on. It was totally a date. With a guy we went to high school with, and I was having a nice time until Gavin had to appear and screw it all up.

I think of what Destiny said earlier.Ew men.And while I’m thinking of Destiny ...

Reaching into my bag, I pull out my phone and send her a quick text.

Me: You doing okay? Just checking on you.

No quick response, and I try to take that as a good sign as I stash my phone back in my purse.

“Everything okay?” Ryland asks as we stroll along the sidewalk, headed in the direction of my apartment. At least I’m not running anymore.

“Oh yeah. My roommate had a moment of crisis earlier, and I’m checking up on her,” I explain.

“Are you two close? You and your roommate?”

“Um, not really? But I think we’re getting closer. We’ve been roommates since freshman year. She can be a little grouchy.” I launch into a modified story about Destiny and her potential breakup with Lizzie. And I call it a potential breakup because I’m hoping the two of them are able to get over their argument and are already back together again.

“I hope they can work it out,” Ryland says once I finish explaining Destiny’s predicament. He’s always positive and I appreciate that. He’s a nice guy. Attractive. Ambitious. And he seems totally into me.

Why am I not into him?

Gavin. That’s why. I don’t want this guy. I want Gavin.

I touched Ryland a couple of times during dinner—on purpose. Trying to elicit some sort of spark between us, but I felt nothing. I kept my focus on him as much as possible throughout dinner, though I got distracted by Gavin’s appearance. That incredibly sexy scowl on his face and the way his gaze roamed over me. Possessive. I felt claimed, just by him looking at me.

I’m just not that attracted to Ryland. Not even close, though I should be. My stupid hormones have failed me. It’s like they only want one person, and that is so frustrating.

Ryland walks me all the way to my doorstep, and he turns to face me when we come to a stop, his lips parting. He’s about to say something when I feel my phone buzz in my bag. Holding up a finger, I pull it out of my purse to see I have a response from my roomie.

Destiny: We’re working on it. Pretty sure we’re good.

“Looks like my roommate and her girlfriend are getting back together,” I tell Ryland as I tap out a response to Destiny.

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