Page 66 of My Scorned Best Friend

A nice-looking reporter is standing next to Xavier in the end zone. She’s asking about his game this week. “Do you think you have a shot?”

“Yeah, we’ve got a lot on our side going in…” He talks optimistically, as he always does.

She asks him questions pertaining to Lee Burrows, the backup quarterback, how Xavier hurt his knee the last game, but he’s good as new for this game. Just as I’m about to stop paying attention—except it’s so good to see his face—the reporter asks him a private question.

“I don’t want to pry, but you have a lot of fans who are wondering if you’re on the market? The breakup with Giulia was last year, and you were seen with her best friend, Sessilee, not that long ago. Want to fill everyone in?”

He chuckles and looks into the camera as if he knows I’m on the other side. “Thankfully, I have found a woman who took mercy on me. It isn’t Sessilee though. When the time is right, you’ll start seeing her pop up.”

“Well, I definitely think that smile says she makes you happy.”

His teeth draw over his bottom lip. “I’ve never been happier than with her.”

The reporter looks at the camera. “There you have it. Xavier Greene is off the market. Don’t cry too hard, girls, his backup would never be considered second best. Thank you, Xavier.”

“You’re welcome.”

The news reporter shifts her attention to Lee Burrows, and Xavier walks off camera.

Presley kicks my stool, and I slide over a smidge. “What?”

“I’ll give him one thing—he’s owning it and he’s giving you that smile. Which is the best I’ve seen in a long time.”

I turn away because she’s right. “Is it stupid to not have my wall at least half up?”

“Oh, I learned it didn’t matter. When I thought I had my wall still up, it wasn’t. I would have been heartbroken regardless.”

“Yeah, I tried, but I just can’t. I can’t imagine when he comes home for off-season.”

“And what about next year?” Presley asks. She seems to have a habit of asking all the questions that make me crazy.

“I’m not sure. We haven’t talked about it, but if the donations keep coming in like they have been, I’m not sure what stage the extension will be at.”

“Well, don’t worry too much about the future. Just enjoy yourself now.”

“And you’ll give him a chance?” I ask. She’s my sister, my only blood relative left.

“I am giving him a chance. And he’s not dating me, he’s dating you.” She hands Leighton to me, and I rock her in my arms. “Thanks.”

“He’s Cade’s brother, among everything else. You can’t hate him.”

Presley’s quick to shake her head. “I don’t hate him. I just worry about you. Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom.”

She leaves the table, and my phone vibrates with an incoming call. Leighton squirms as I manage to answer it with only one hand.

“Hello?”

“Hey, I just wanted to give you a heads-up,” Xavier says. I hear the razzing of the players behind him. “I told a reporter that I’m off the market. I didn’t give names because I won’t until you’re ready. I just wanted to make sure you knew.”

“X, you don’t have to run everything by me all the time. I know what comes with the news of me being your girlfriend.”

He sounds stressed. “Other women are mean and bitchy. I don’t want you to go through that. But I want to show you off to the world at the same time. Anyway. I gotta go shower. Just didn’t want you to see it and be upset I didn’t say your name.”

“I wouldn’t be,” I tell him.

“You’re the best. I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Okay.”

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