Page 64 of Off Camera
My phone vibrates on the table.
Reid’s name pops up on the screen, and I’m convinced the bastard attached a recording device to me so he knows when I’m talking about him.
Reid
*Attachment: 1 link*
Spoiler alert: this Buzzfeed article said the Titans have the best social media accounts in any major sport.
Me
I’m not clicking that. It’s probably a virus to hack into my phone.
Reid
You’re starting to catch on, princess. Nice job.
Me
I hate that nickname.
Reid
Do you really?
Me
Yes.
Reid
Noted. Won’t use it again.
*Attachment: 1 image*
There. A non-virus photo, just so I can say I told you so.
The picture downloads, and there’s a bright laptop screen. Four sticky notes attached to the corners of the computer with numbers on them and a stack of pens to the left of the keyboard. Reid’s hand is in the center of the frame, the sleeve of his sweatshirt covering his arm almost all the way to his palm, save for the middle finger he’s holding up.
Me
Appreciate the photo evidence.
I’m having lunch with Maven. Please stop bothering me.
Reid
Tell her I’m mad at her.
Me
Tell her yourself.
“Reid is mad at you.” I ignore the next two messages that come through and tuck my phone away in my purse. Out of sight, out of mind.
“He’ll get over it.” She tosses the menu to the side and reaches across the table. She takes my hand in hers and squeezes. “I’m sorry for not telling you who he was, Ave. It was a shitty thing to keep from both of you. I’ve always said you deserve to be happy, and I guess I got all caught up in the post-wedding love, you know? Like, now that I have it, I want you to have it too.”
“I know, Mae, and I love you for that. But I’m happy. I have the best job in the world. I have good friends. I get to live this life I’ve dreamed about for years. Every night I go to sleep grateful, and I’m not sure how it’s supposed to get much better,” I say. “If Reid worked in finance or real estate, or, hell, even marketing like he claimed to, I’d consider giving it a shot. I’ve been down this road before, and it never ends well. The sports world is small, and I can’t put myself in that position again.”
