Page 59 of Curvy Love

“It means I play football now. American football, that is. I’m the kicker for the Austin Armadillos.” The guy steps forward and holds his hand out. “I’m Reid. Huge fan of yours.”

“Uh, thanks.” I shake his hand because I’m not a complete dick.

“Reid is going running with us so try to be a little nice.”

I roll my eyes.

Reid laughs.

Ben’s condo is near downtown Austin and within close range of one of the favorite greenbelts. I’m told that while it’s now called Lady Bird Lake, that Austinites still call it Town Lake because that’s what it was called for years. But the hike and bike trails meander around by the water and while it’s not Scotland, it’s pretty. And I’m not freezing my bullocks off which is a nice perk for December.

We’ve just rounded a corner and we have most of the trail to ourselves when Ben clears his throat.

“How was the bachelor auction last night?”

I ignore him and concentrate on the sound of my soles hitting the trail.

“He might not want to discuss any of it because of all the gossip,” Reid says.

I shoot him a glare. “What gossip? And why do you even know about any of this?”

Reid grins. “My wife actually owns that hotel, so I knew about the auction ahead of time. The gossip I read about while having my coffee. I’m a bit of an addict when it comes to this one site, GossipLane. She’s hilarious. She’s had a lot to say about you since you moved to Austin.”

I realize I’ve stopped running and my fists are on my hips. “What was the gossip about?” I don’t give a fuck what people say about me, much to Lezlee’s chagrin and it must not be too bad or else I’d have already heard from her.

“She did a recap of last night and how everyone was surprised that Sabrina Wilde didn’t show and instead you were bought by some nobody.”

I growl and take a step forward. “Willow is not a nobody.”

Reid’s hands go up. “Their words, not mine. I’m sure your girl is amazing.”

“She’s not my girl,” I say but the words feel like actual dirt in my mouth.

Ben and Reid exchange glances.

“What?” I ask.

We start walking because we can’t just stand here and draw a crowd.

“That was not the reaction of a man who hasn’t already made a decision about a woman,” Ben said.

“What the fuck do you know about women?” I ask. As far as I know he’s as single as they come. Of course I haven’t been in town for very long. But I’ve known Ben for a few years.

Reid tosses his head back and laughs. “He’s got you there, brother. Has he met Stella yet?”

And then something miraculous happens…my even-tempered ginger flatmate turns a withering stare at Reid. I’m pretty sure even my bullocks draw up a little the look on his face is so fierce.

“We’re not talking about Stella,” Ben says, his tone low and deadly.

“Who’s Stella?” I ask.

Reid just laughs.

“Tell us what happened with Willow,” Ben says.

“I will,ifyou tell me who Stella is.”

Ben punches Reid in the arm. “Fucker,” he mutters.

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