Page 146 of Can't Always Get What You Want

“When I matched with her I thought it was a joke—and when she matched with me, it was because she thought I was a catfish.”

He leans back against the wall again, arms crossed. His jaw’s working overtime, like he’s chewing through every version of how this could go, clenching and unclenching and clenching some more.

“I should beat the shit out of you,” he finally mutters, gaze sharp. “I totally want to right now, you realize that, right?”

“Yeah,” I say. “But you would have thrown a punch already.”

His brow lifts as if I were daring him.

“We only want what’s best for her. Neither of us would ever hurt her.” Not intentionally. “I’ve never wanted anything more than I want her. We’ve had the best fucking month of our lives.” At least I have anyway—can’t speak for her. “I love her.”

He lets out a long, harsh breath.

“I have since I saw her at the ESPY Awards three years ago.”

Gio tilts his head. “You weren’t on the team then.”

“I know. I was with Kurt Rasmussen.”

“Well now this is really fucked up,” he mutters, shaking his head. “I mean—you? Of all people? Why couldn’t she date someone normal?”

Gee, thanks.

“Pretty sure she’s tried that?” I refuse to be insulted by his tone of voice. “Trust me, I didn’t plan any of this.”

“Valid,” he mutters. “Nova never did like doing things the easy way.”

I crack a half-smile. “Indeed, she doesn’t.”

A beat goes by.

Then Gio looks at me again, and this time it’s a little less like he’s picturing me face-first in the ice.

“So now what?”

I shrug. “No idea. She has no idea I’m telling you any of this. In fact, after you saw us the other night we’ve barely spoken.”

“So, her plan is to keep this a secret for as long as possible?”

I shrug again, embarrassed. “I guess.”

“That is so fucked up.” He glances at me up and down. “Dude, if I were you, I would be so fucking pissed.”

I perk up.

Is this his way of telling me he’s on my side?

“It hasn’t felt great,” I admit. “It would be nice to date someone who wasn’t hiding me like a giant turd in her toilet. It sucks.”

He crosses his arms, thinking. “Anyone keeping a terrible secret for her must really love that little shit.”

I nod. “She’s a monster.”

“Alright then,” he says, straightening up like he’s about to call a team huddle. Gio claps once. “Here’s what we’re gonna do.”

“Oh God.”

“I think,” he says slowly. “It’s time to make her realize what she’s losing. She’s too comfortable. She thinks she has time to figure all this shit out. Well, it’s time to shake that shit up.”

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