Page 12 of My Scorned Best Friend

He nods. “Yeah.”

“Chevelle and Cam got into an argument at the marina the other day. She ended up pushing him over the edge of the pier and into the water.”

Xavier snickers. “You don’t think…”

I nod. “I do. What do you think Fisher is gonna do?”

He chuckles again. The deep-in-his-throat one. The honest one that only talking about his family can pull out. “He’s gonna go ballistic. What about that funding you were pitching for the library? Tell me Gavin came through?”

The town mayor, Gavin Price, is married to Xavier’s stepsister, Posey. I went to him with plans for an extension on the library so we could have a dedicated technology section. Right now there’s one computer that’s available for patrons to use and people are often waiting for someone to finish. I envision having many more, along with tablets and other technology as it becomes available and even hosting tech classes for seniors and young children who don’t have access to the technology at home or at school.

“I have a meeting with him next week. I’ll have to do fundraising.”

“I’ll give you the money and you can name it after me.” Ben elbows me and laughs. I guess he is paying attention.

“No, I want everyone in the town to help out. It’s to benefit all of us.” I turn him down, though I’m sure Ben was only kidding.

The elevator stops on Ben’s floor, and the tension grows so thick I can barely breathe. It feels as if the air I’m pulling in is as thick as potato soup.

“You’re staying here?” Xavier asks.

“Yeah,” Ben answers for me.

Xavier’s eyes find mine. “Oh.”

“He forgot to book a room and it’s probably too late to find one, so…” I don’t know why I’m giving him way more information than he deserves.

“You can stay in your room at my place. I mean…” He runs his hand down the back of his head, pulling at his neck. “If you’d prefer.”

Ben glances at me and I look up at him as he says, “It’s up to you.”

I came all this way to spend the weekend with Ben, but I don’t really know him. I trust that he’s a good guy because he’s Xavier’s teammate and friend. Has been for years. But spending the weekend with him already has me feeling a little nervous and uncomfortable and that was before I knew I’d be staying with him. Then again, I’m not really talking to Xavier either.

“We’re good,” I say.

Xavier releases his hold on the door open button. “Have a great time then.”

The doors close and all I want to do is rush back to him, but instead I smile at Ben. “Show me your place.”

5

“WHO ARE YOU BRINGING?”

Xavier

The minute I step into my condo, I toss my bag on the couch and go to stand at the window that overlooks the bay and the bridge. Ben doesn’t have this view. Nor does he have my contract to get this view.

I run my hand through my hair. “Fuck,” I murmur, pissed that I’m comparing the two of us.

I’m the one who told Clara I didn’t want to be with her that way after we slept together. I’m the one who’s let two years go by without my best friend by my side. I’m the one who said I was cool with the two of them dating.

Walking into the kitchen, I grab a glass and a bottle of scotch and pour myself a hefty amount. It’s Friday after all. I have a light practice tomorrow before our game Sunday. I’ve been nervous all week, which is weird because it’s not like I’m a rookie. It must be because Lee Burrows is breathing down my neck, gunning for my position.

While I sip my scotch, my phone dings in my pocket. I pull it out of my track pants and see Sessilee’s name flash across the screen. I hit Ignore, hoping she gets the hint. Even though Giulia has moved on from me to some Italian race car driver, that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t spit fire if I dated her friend. And that’s if I was even interested.

A ping comes next, which means she didn’t get the message, but I’m surprised when Ben’s name appears on my screen.

Ben: I don’t think Clara is comfortable here. I really fucked up with the hotel thing. Not sure what I was thinking.

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