Page 48 of Throwing the Curve

“I know, but just in case it’s about today, I should check.”

Rayne smiled. “Of course you should.”

“Thanks for understanding.” Peyton took a breath to mentally prepare herself for the possibility of dealing with work, then dialed into her voicemail.

Her heart stuttered when she heard Ryan’s voice. What was that about? Why did her stomach catch like that? Maybe having sex with him hadn’t been such a great idea. Ryan’s voice slid across the phone line.

“Hey, a few of us are going out for a beer after the game, and I thought you might want to meet up with us at Rays. Kendall will be there, and she’s hoping you’d come.” He paused, and she waited to hear what else he would say. “Yeah, so come. Rays. We’ll be there for a while.”

Did he want her there? God, why did she care? They were fake dating and okay, now sleeping together, but it wasn’t real.

“Agh,” she growled and dropped her head into her hands.

“What? Work?” Rayne asked as she handed Peyton a glass of water before sitting back down on the floor across from her.

“No, Ryan called and asked me to meet them for a beer after the game.”

“Okay? So why the face?”

“I don’t know. Because everything changed, now,” she whined. “God, why am being one of those girls? We’re having sex, freakin’ fantastic sex but sex. It doesn’t have to mean anything. Gah, we don’t even like each other.”

“Don’t you?”

“I don’t know. Sometimes he seems like he’s a good guy, then other times he’s so cocky and judgy.” She chewed her bottom lip as she pictured him playing catch with Markus. “No, not judgy. He’s amazing with the kids and doesn’t judge them at all. He’s really sweet and patient with them.” She sighed. “But with me? Definitely not.”

Rayne cocked her head to the side as she pinned Peyton with a stare. “I thought so,” Rayne said with a knowing smile.

“What?”

“You really like him.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Honey, your aura and your energy say otherwise,” Rayne said.

“Don’t be sneak attacking me with that woo woo stuff.” Peyton pointed a finger at her friend. “My energy and aura are all blissed out from that treatment and then the yoga and meditation.” Peyton rolled her eyes at her friend. “My energy would love just about anything right now, so it’s not to be trusted.”

“Love?” Rayne smirked. “I didn’t say anything about love. I said you liked him.” Rayne rubbed her hands together with glee. “We are definitely meeting them for beer. I have to meet this guy who has you all tied up in knots.”

“He doesn’t have me tied up in knots,” Peyton grumbled. “My body is just a bit confused because of the sex.”

“Ananda, baby,” Rayne said.

“Bliss this.” Peyton stuck up her middle finger.

“Ouch, harsh.” Rayne jumped up. “Either way, we are going for beers so I can get a better look.”

“Fine,” Peyton agreed. “But no reading auras or any of that other stuff.”

“I’ll try my best, but sometimes things just push through.”

“Mmm hmm.” Peyton shook her head. “Block it or keep it to yourself because I don’t want to know.”

“Okay. I won’t say anything woo woo. I promise.” Rayne made an X across her heart. “This is going to be fun.”

“Oh god,” Peyton groaned. “Let’s get this over with.”

Ryan flicked his wrist to look at his watch for the umpteenth time.

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