Page 191 of The Fine Line
“Yeah, it was.”
“Hey, babe,” a blonde appears behind him, kissing his cheek.
Right.
Holt encouraged everyone to bring their partners to this “end-of-season celebration.” I was already dreading the teammates. The plus-ones just doubled the landmines.
Another buzz. This time I glance.
Brandi Blue Eyes.
Tall Natalie.
Rachel Vodka Red Bull.
Goddamn it.
“Hi, Rhett,” Jimmy’s girlfriend says.
“Hey…you,” I offer, having no idea what her name is.
“Good game,” she lies.
“Yeah, you played well tonight,” Jimmy adds, lying right along with her.
I force a lazy smile. “Thanks. You t?—”
Sid.
I shoot to my feet, snatching my phone. “Sorry, I—Ex—’scuse me,” I mutter, already moving.
When I hear, “Hi, Brendan!” from Jimmy’s girlfriend, I pick up speed—then stumble as a dizzy spell slams into me. I grab the back of a chair to steady myself.
“Fuck,” I mutter.
“Sutton,” Holt’s voice bites through the noise. “We’ve been here twenty minutes. Leave some of the bar for the rest of us.”
I turn to find him joining Jimmy and his girlfriend.
“Hey, Shelly,” he says, giving her a side hug.
Shelly. Or Shelby. Or maybe just Ellie? Whatever.
“Just stood up too fast,” I say, forcing a laugh. “Got a little dizzy.”
“Right.” He raises his glass. “Guess you were standing up from the bench too fast all season then?”
I swallow.
He knows.
He hasn’t said it outright, but we both know he knows. And he knows I know he knows.
But he won’t rat me out. Not directly. He’s a decent captain—an asshole, but a good leader.
He just wants me gone.
“I get a little over-excited,” I say. “I’m working on it.”
