Page 3 of Rewind It Back

“It’ll be fun.”

I chuckle. “Chelsea.”

“You’re really going to say no?” She smiles knowingly. “Rio.”

She says “Rio” in a tone that may as well mean “you’re out of your goddamn mind to turn me down,” and I’ve gotten that tone from more women than I’d like to admit.

There’s no denying she’s a beautiful girl, and if I were the type to bring someone home without seeing a future, maybe I would.

But I’m not.

I discreetly pay the bill when it’s set on the table before saying, “Thank you for coming to dinner tonight.”

It’s then she realizes I’m serious about this date ending here. Her eyes slightly roll, but I don’t let that change my mind, and when she pulls out her phone, she types away at the screen without answering me.

“Should we get going?”

She doesn’t look up from her phone. “No need. I’m going to meet up with friends at a party around the corner.”

“Oh, okay. I picked you up, so I thought the least I could do would be to—”

Her smile turns pitying as she stands and slips her arms through her coat. “I made backup plans but have a good night alone, Rio. Thanks for dinner.” She waggles her fingers in a careless wave before slipping out of the exit she was eyeing earlier and leaving me alone.

Maybe I should feel shocked or offended, but it’s not the first time I’ve been left at a table by myself after deciding not to continue the night back at my place, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

But fuck it, this glass of red wine I’ve been nursing all night is delicious and I’m not embarrassed enough to let it go to waste. So instead, I sit back in my chair at my solo table and enjoy it while fishing out my phone, only to find it flooded with texts.

Zanders:Rio, did you make it back?

Indy:Please say yes! I miss you!

Stevie:Taylor asked where Uncle Rio was every Sunday dinner this summer. It was very sad. You should never leave again.

Kai:Welcome back, man!

Miller:Girls’ nights were not the same without you!

Kennedy:Is this the first Sunday dinner we’re all going to be at since May? Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Isaiah:But is Rio back? He’s not answering.

Zanders:He better be back. We have our first practice of the season tomorrow.

Me:I will not answer until every single person has asked about my well-being and I’m waiting on one...

Zanders:?

Kai:Some things never change.

Indy:Baby, that’s your cue.

Ryan:I’m not doing this.

Miller:He could be hurt or lost or stranded without food and water and we would never know because you won’t ask a simple question, Ryan.

Isaiah:I didn’t know the group adopted a puppy.

Stevie:He’sourpuppy.

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