Page 58 of Shots Fired

It’s hard to look at him.Fuck me, I hate lying.

I roll onto my back, crossing my ankles over and trying to look relaxed. In reality, I’m anything but. “With her work schedule and everything, it’s hard to see her. But we try and make it work.”

“I dunno, man.” Jack shakes his head. “That’s a whole lot of long distance.” He reaches over to our shared nightstand, picking up his water glass and taking a couple of sips. “Still, I guess you have July and August to spend time together.”

My brows crease with confusion, and he must notice.

“That’s when kindergarten teachers get their summer break, no?”

Remembering that is, in fact, the make-believe job I gave my entirely fictional girlfriend, I clear my throat and nod in agreement. “Yeah, yeah. We’ll have to make the most of that time. Just sucks, having to wait out the year.”

“At least away games in Dallas will work.”

I don’t reply, choosing to close my eyes instead.

“I guess I’m shocked, is all. I never expected you to be a one-woman guy.”

Keeping my eyes closed, I will away this painful conversation. That said, every twinge of discomfort is my own making.

I sit up and grab my phone, which is face down on the nightstand. Anything to busy my hands and mind since the tension rolling off me must be noticeable. “Things change, Jack. I’m not getting any younger, and hookups don’t carry the same appeal anymore.”

“I get that,” Jack replies before falling silent.

Please be it, please be it, please be it.

He opens his mouth, and my heart sinks.

“Do you think Abbie’s the one then?” His face lights up, probably on my behalf. “I knew with Kendra, and I get the feeling it’s the same for you with Abbie.”

Puffing out a doubtful breath since the woman doesn’t even exist, I can’t help the laugh that follows. “Why would you think that?”

He shrugs a shoulder. “You’ve been different these past few weeks. Quieter, maybe even subdued. You’ve been heading home earlier on nights out, and I assumed it was so you could call your girl.”

Nope. So I could bone your sister.

When I finally pluck up the courage to look at my friend, he’s waiting for me to speak. The guy is happy for me, and here I am, keeping multiple secrets, which I know, in the end, will tear our friendship apart. Possibly even the team.

Since that night at the dinner, Sawyer hasn’t spoken about Darcy with me again. He said his piece, and he was likely right. However things end with Darcy, whether I make her my girl or not—who am I kidding? Of course I’m making her mine—Jackis going to be pissed. And the longer I let the lies and deceit go on, the deeper the damage will get.

I can hear the words I want to say as they echo in my brain.I’ve got feelings for your sister, and you need to know we’re sleeping together.They’re right there, dancing in the space between our hotel beds, screaming at me in the silence that’s descended on our conversation.

It’s obvious Jack can tell something isn’t right. The guy isn’t an idiot.

Still, the early nights, the elusive behavior, and not hooking up with other women—all my actions are explainable with Abbie. Darcy doesn’t want Jack to know all her private business. The problem is, she doesn’t want him to know because she sees us as fun and nothing more.

My hand curls around my phone, growing frustration threatening to crush it.

“I-is everything okay, buddy?”

Jack’s question breaks the spiraling thoughts, and I sit back, pushing my head into the plush headboard.

“I’m good. It’s just been a series.”

Grabbing his phone, Jack stands and rests a hand on my shoulder. “Tell me about it. I’m going to head out for a walk; I can’t seem to shake the lactic acid buildup from last night.” He squeezes his palm and smiles at me. “Also, it’ll give you some time to call Abbie. I guess she’ll be finished with school about now.”

All I can do is smile back because telling Jack and breaking Darcy’s confidence is not an option. She’d never forgive me, and I’d likely lose her forever.

When he throws on a jacket and steps out of the hotel room, I unlock my phone and bring up the text chat with Darcy. We haven’t spoken today, and I know that’s because she’s at work.