Page 50 of The Second Dance
Her gaze skims across the ridge, taking in the carefully laid line of trees.
She reaches into her car and pulls out a manilla envelope. “Take this.”
“What is it?”
“The next stages in the process. Someone will be contacting you with follow up information.”
“Someone? Not you?”
She meets my gaze and the hurt and anger there almost makes me take a step back.
“I’m not coming back out here, Bo.”
My heart wrenches in my chest. “Why?”
“I think you know why.”
My feet carry me forward, but she holds up a hand, warding me off. “I know about the fucking bet.”
I’m feeling sick to my stomach. “Oh, that.”
“Yeah, that.”
I plead with my eyes. “I had nothing to do with it.”
“But you knew about it.”
I’m realizing my mistake now, but it’s a bit late. “Yes. I knew.”
“And you didn’t tell me? What the fuck, Bo?”
I wince. “I didn’t think you’d want to know about a stupid thing like that.”
She laughs, but it’s a harsh sound. “So, you just watched me go on dates with those assholes blissfully unaware that they were trying to get me in bed?”
“That’s not entirely fair. I did extract you from one of those dates.”
“But what if you hadn’t?” She asks, pain lacing through her words. “I thought Ben was being pushy, but now I understand why. What if he hadn’t taken no for an answer?”
Now I’mreallyunderstanding my mistake.
I don’t think Tyson and Ben would ever force themselves on a girl, but I don’t know that for sure.
I know they’re both used to getting what they want. That a girl wouldn’t want them? That might not even compute for guys like that.
I thought keeping an eye on her would be sufficient, but she’s right, things could have gone south.
I thought I was shielding her from their childish, stupid bet, but I should have just told her everything from the start.
“Andy… I’m really sorry.”
She shakes her head. “My dumb ass was falling for you again. If Whit hadn’t told me…”
“Of course, it was Whit.”
She glares at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Have you noticed a pattern? Yourfriendis always behind your trouble.”
