Page 27 of Well Played

“Oh, shoot. I forgot you had that,” she said after a moment. “No biggie. I’ll figure something out or change my plans.”

She wrapped things up with her mother and hung up before she noticed me. “Oh…hey.”

“Hey,” I said, stirring some sugar into my coffee. “I can watch Alex if you need me to.”

Presley looked surprised as she picked out a mug for herself. “Oh. I wouldn’t have thought to bother you.”

I arched my brow. “Why?”

“I guess I just assumed you might have plans.”

“I’m free tonight, if you need me.”

She paused. “Actually, that would be great.”

I used this as an opportunity. “Where are you headed?”

She looked over her shoulder and whispered, “I’m having drinks with Coach Jeremy, actually.”

Shocker.“I should’ve known after he pulled you aside yesterday. I was wondering if he was going in for the kill.”

“You make it sound so…aggressive,” she said as she poured her coffee.

“Isn’t it, though? Making a move on one of your camp kids’ mothers?”

“I didn’t realize there was a rule against that. Did you make it up?” Her tone was sarcastic.

“I hope you see now that his offer tohelpyou was officially bullshit.”

“He can be both helpful and want to take me out. That doesn’t make him a bad person.”

“Alright. I didn’t take you for gullible.” I took a long sip of coffee that nearly burned my throat.

“Gullible? Because I choose not to see the worst in everyone?” She set her mug down hard on the table. “Anyway, let’s suppose he was simply making a play for me when he offered help—who really cares? It’s not a crime.”

“I’m sure Alex will care.”

“Why is that?”

“You’re dating his coach. The other kids will give him shit for that when they find out.”

“First of all, I’m not dating him. Second, Alex won’t know where I’m going tonight. I’m telling him I’m meeting a friend.”

“Well, don’t worry. Your dirty little secret is safe with me.”

“Dirty?”

“There’s nothing clean about his intentions. I hope you know that.”

“I still don’t understand how you’re so sure of that.”

“I’m a guy. I know how we look at women we want to bang. That’s exactly how he was looking at you yesterday.”

“Well, luckily, this is none of your concern. So you can stay out of it.”

“My nephewis, though.”

Fuck. I’d been completely inappropriate playing the Alex card. I’d gone too far, but it was too late to take it back. She looked at me with daggers in her eyes and decided to hit me where it hurt.

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