Page 91 of Writing Mr. Wrong

She only returned to the table and started collecting the leftovers. “So, big game when you get back.”

“Huh?”

“When you get back. I heard it’s a big game for you.”

He frowned. “Big how?”

She shrugged as she set the leftover cabbage rolls on the counter. “I don’t know. Someone just said it was a big one.”

“Maybe because we’re playing the Flames? That’s always kind of a big deal. Plenty of Flames fans in Vancouver. It’ll be rowdy, that’s for sure.”

“So you really need to be there.”

“I always need to be there.” He pulled plastic wrap over the remaining dessert and then stopped to peer at her. “Are you asking whether I could skip it and extend our stay? I’d love to, but I can’t.”

“You’d love to miss it?”

Now he stared at her, bewildered before laughing and shaking his head. “Uh, no, I’d love to hang out in a tropical paradise with Gemma Stanton for another day. But it’s not like a regular job, where you can call in fake sick.” He put the dessert into the fridge. “I even had to text and let the coach know I won’t be back until game day.”

“Is that okay?”

He shrugged and shifted, feeling a twinge of discomfort. “It’s notideal. Apparently, he tried to call me back instead of just texting, which makes me a little nervous but…” He rolled his shoulders and tried for a smile. “I’m Mason Moretti. What’s he going to do? Fire me?”

“We’ll make sure you get back.”

“Oh, I will. I can joke, but I don’t mess around with shit like that. As soon as we’re on the mainland, I’ll text and let him know I’m on my way, just so he doesn’t worry.”

GEMMA

Mason didn’t know about Denny.

She’d finally let him shoo her onto the porch to write, mostly so she could work this through.

Mason was a lot of things, but he wasn’t an actor. When she called him out on his bad behavior, he admitted to it. He made mistakes, and he owned up to them, which was part honesty and part knowing he was a shitty liar.

Denny must have been declared fit to return after they left Vancouver. That was why Mason’s coach called. To warn him.

Shouldshewarn him?

She’d seen how Mason talked about the Denny incident. It bothered him—a lot—and he was taking a much-deserved break after weeks of dealing with the fallout. What would be the point of telling him now? He couldn’t call and talk to his coach.

Was it patronizing to withhold information, deciding that was “best” for him?

She spent a long time thinking about that, long enough for the sun to disappear without her even noticing the sunset. She’d tell him as soon as they were back in the land of cell service, and he could talk to his coach.

That was her decision. She only prayed it was the right one.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

GEMMA

She went back inside to find Mason chilling on the sofa, listening to an audiobook.

When he popped out his earbuds, she asked, “Is it too late for that boat ride and swim?”

He grinned. “Never. I’m all set.” He waved down at his swim trunks. “Just waiting for you.”

“Give me five minutes.”

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