On The Rebound (Steinbeck U #1) - L.A. Cotton Page 0,72
Xavier, who I’d come to realize was actually a big teddy bear, especially where Josie was concerned.
“Hit me with another.” She wafted her empty beer at him.
“I’m cutting you off at six.”
“Eight and I’ll switch to water.”
“Seven and you’ve got yourself a deal. Calli?”
“Oh no, I’m good. I’ve still got half of this one left.
“Suit yourself.” He winked before disappearing down the bar.
“I was wrong about him,” I said.
“Told ya. Xavier is good people.” Comfortable silence settled between us as we sat at the end of the bar. There was no live music tonight, but the place was brimming with biker types. Josie seemed completely at ease around them though. I still felt a little out of my depth, but I was glad I had decided to come with her. Not that she’d given me much choice.
Josie’s cell vibrated and she snatched it up, scanning the message.
“Let me guess, starts with Br ends with Ad.” I said, eyeing the slight curve to her mouth.
“They’re at The Pivot. Maverick Prince and some of the old players are there.”
“Great.” I picked at the label on my beer bottle.
“So you won’t be coming to the exhibition game with me?”
“Seriously?” My brows went up. “No, I won’t be coming.”
“Because you hate basketball.”
“Among other things.” Mainly being the fact that Joel had ignored me all week, my brother wished I didn’t exist, and I was trying to avoid being within breathing distance of Zach.
“Guess I’ll have to go all alone then.” She pouted.
“Won’t your parents be there?”
“Yes, and I’ll be avoiding them at all costs. They’re so embarrassing.”
“It’s nice that they want to be there to support Joel and the team.”
“Shit, sorry, Calli,” her expression fell, “I’m such an insensitive bitch at times.”
“It’s fine. But as someone who doesn’t have that anymore, don’t be too hard on them.”
“You’re right. In fact, I bet they’d love to meet you. We could all go to the game together and get dinner afterwards.”
“I’m not sure Joel would appreciate that.”
“Joel smole.” Josie waved me off. “You’re my friend, Calli. And if I want you there, then it has absolutely nothing to do with Joel or the fact he got his feelings hurt.”
“Way to make me feel better.”
“Oh, babe. I’m not trying to make you feel guilty. But it is what it is. Besides, he’s so stuck on that ridiculous team rule. Honestly, I thought he’d make an exception for you. Or I at least thought it would push Zach into action.”
“W- what?” I gawked at her.
“He wants you, Calli. He might be trying to fight this thing between you, but I see it every time he looks at you.”
“Zach hates me, Jos.”
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you, love and hate are just the same emotions experienced in different ways?”
“Is this your psych classes talking?”
“What? It’s true.” She shrugged. “There’s this whole body of research that basically supports the hypothesis that the deeper the love, the stronger the hate.”
“Okay.” I frowned, not really sure where she was going with this.
“So... you keep saying Zach hates you, right?”
“Yeah...”
“Well, it’s been what, three years?”
I nodded. “So he must have really loved you, babe, if he’s still harboring all those angry vibes toward you.”
“Xavier should have cut you off at four.” I eyed her fresh beer.
“Oh, come on. Every time he looks at you, I get weak in the knees, babe. That boy is all twisted up inside for you, all that love and hate mixed up.” She gave a little shudder of excitement.
“Josie.” I averted my gaze. I didn’t want her to see how much her words affected me.
“I know something happened between you...”
My eyes snapped to hers, and I frowned. “How?”
“It’s written all over your face every time I mention him. Want to talk about it?”
Did I?
How did I possibly begin to explain what had happened between us?
“You can trust me, babe, I promise.”
I groaned, torn between keeping my secrets and sharing the burden.
Finally, I said, “I’m going to need more alcohol for this.”
“Xav,” she yelled, “we’re going to need something a little stronger.”
“For real?” He arched a brow.
“Just line ‘em up,” she waved him off, “me and my girl are having a moment.”
A couple of minutes later, he slid two shooters in front of us.
“Oooh, cherry sours, nice.”
I eyed the glasses and sighed. “I’m not sure I should—”
“Relax, it’s just a little Dutch courage.” Josie grabbed her shooter and gave me an encouraging smile. “I want details, babe. All the glorious and gory details.” Her brows waggled suggestively.