Page 73 of Keeper
“I know it sounds unlikely, but y—”
“Extremelyunlikely.You obviously knew he was loaded, since you wouldn’t stop blabbing to me about how rich he was. But you never thought to ask what he did for a living, hm?”
“I did ask him,” I mumbled. “I asked him when we were in his car. He shrugged it off and said he didn’t want to talk about it because things weren’t going well.”
She laughed out loud. “You’re such a bad liar, Ainsley. You know how I know? Because athletes aren’t humble atall. Especially when they’re trying to impress a girl.”
“Even when they’re going through a bad slump, like Tanner was?” I countered. “Look, I believe you, Marta. I’m suremostathletes love to brag about their careers. But Tanner is a sensitive guy and he was going through a rough patch. Is it that hard to believe that he wouldn’t want to tell me?”
“Aw, that’s socute,” she squealed. “You’re talking like you’re already a couple! I like your usage of past tense, too: ‘Tannerwasgoing through a rough patch.’ But now he’s won one game, so his slump is over, and it’sallbecause ofyou, right?”
I should’ve known explaining this to her would be hopeless.
“Whatever,” I said, and stared out my window. “Forget it.”
“This little fling must’ve been a big boost to your ego,” she continued. She patted my leg. “Good for you, champ. I know you really needed it.”
“Don’t patronize me.” I jerked my leg away. “I don’t expect you to be happy about it, but you don’t have to be such an asshole, either. I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Nope. You did nothing wrong. You just happened to accidentally go home with the guy you knew I wanted. How convenient.”
Frustrated and at my wit’s end, I raised my voice. “I didn’t know! Don’t you get that? I didn’t know who he was until he pulled up in his car today!”
“And instead of simplytellingme that when Tanner pulled up, like a normal person would’ve,” she snarled, “you let me make acompletefool out of myself with him today. Meanwhile, you secretly plotted to get him away from me, so you could fuck him in the parking lot behind my back. But nope! Ainsley Carter did nothing wrong. She’sneverdone anything wrong, because she’s so perfect and innocent, and everyone loves her.”
I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t plan anything. He chased me down so we could talk, becauseyes,believe it or not, we had alotof catching up and explaining to do.” I paused. “Not that it matters, but weweren’tfucking, by the way.”
She tutted. “Just like you didn’t fuck him the other night, right?”
“Ididn’t!” I yelled, indignant.
“Mm-hm. Whatever, honey.” She pursed her lips with doubt. “Frankly, I can’t trust anything you say right now.”
I was done. I threw my hands up in a fit. “Fine, then don’t trust me. I don’t care anymore. Just get us home already so I can pack up my stuff and leave.”
“Sounds good to me,” she said, bobbing her head with sass.
“Good,” I said, folding my arms.
“Great,” she replied, one-upping me and claiming the last word.
The rest of the drive back to Marta’s building was made in tense and total silence. Seconds felt like minutes, and minutes felt like hours. I stewed, thinking of all the things I still wanted to say. But I kept my mouth shut because it didn’t matter anyway. I knew she’d never believe me—there was no convincing her once she’d made up her mind.
At last, we were back at her building. Marta parked the car and sped through the lobby to her apartment, leaving me to hurry after her in an effort to keep up.
Inside, I hastily packed my things into my backpack while Marta watched over me like a hawk. After double-checking I had everything—because I wasnotcoming back here again—I made for the door.
“Bye,” I said curtly.
“Going home?” she asked with a smirk. “Or maybe to Tanner’s?”
“What does it matter to you?”
“Hmph. You are. I can tell.”
I pulled the door open. “Bye, Marta.”
“I learned a valuable lesson today,” she said, matter-of-factly.
