Page 24 of Big Rucking Disaster
Isaiah tackled me from behind.
Makwa tried to give me a high-five.
The crowd roared their approval. Somehow, despite being down from the get-go, we’d squeaked out a win over Calgary—by three points.
Their team appeared absolutely dejected. I couldn’t blame them—they’d come within one play of winning. Which would’ve broken their eight-game losing streak. Part of me felt sorry for them, the rest was elated.
“Johnnie, you’re the best baby!”
Isaiah coughed. “Was that best, baby or best baby?”
I squinted as we lined up to shake the opposing team’s hands. “Either sounds bad, don’t you think?”
“Is she sitting next to Yardley?”
I winced. “I hadn’t thought that through when I gave him the ticket. I should’ve swapped it. Or…” I cleared my throat.
“Or…?” Isaiah held my gaze.
“Break up with her…?”
“Is that a question or a statement? Only you can decide. You’ve been dating her for a long time. Aside from Anwa, this is the longest relationship you’ve had.”
Mention of my ex-girlfriend twisted my gut.
“Shit.” Isaiah winced as we headed to the locker room. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“It’s true.” I tried to shrug it off.
He cocked his head.
“Nothing. It’s nothing.” I yanked my shirt over my head. “I need to shower.”
“Because Carly’s waiting for you, or because Yardley is?”
I scowled. “Yardley’s sister, her entire family, and Kenji are out there. Yardley will leave with them.”
“Are you certain?”
“Of course.” But I wasn’t, so I hustled through my shower. Then I donned my nice jeans, a henley that matched my eyes—or so Roger’s wife Becca assured me—and hustled my way to the meeting area. Surprisingly, I was the first player there. Possibly because after brushing my hair to get the tangles out, then putting it in a man bun in a heartbeat, and then busting my butt.
To find Carly and Yardley off to one side.
Talking.
Shit.
“Uh, hey.” I did a little wave.
Carly launched herself at me—wrapping her legs around my waist and placing a kiss to my lips.
I tried to respond. I did. Because she was my girlfriend, and I owed her that much. As I thought about all the other women in my life—like Becca and now Jamilla—I couldn’t help thinking how vacuous Carly was. I hadn’t seen it before. At least not in such stark contrast against the intelligent, caring, and kind manwho stood off to the side, awkwardly watching the spectacle Carly initiated.
Gently, I untangled her from me and set her on the ground. “I need to sayhito my friend.”
She pouted, with her bright, shiny lips stuck out. Her blonde hair hung loose around her face, and I remembered, for an instant—as I gazed into her luminous light-brown eyes—why I’d found her so attractive in the first place.Should’ve looked beyond the surface…you might’ve seen the truth sooner.“He’s a good guy.”
“He’s boring.”
