Page 97 of Play Fake

“Did you do it? Her?”

“Fuck no. She hurt Mac. No fucking way would I do that to her. I took her out, yeah. She seemed like the type who likes a lot of attention. I thought if I could cause trouble in paradise maybe Ezra would go back to Mac. I thought I was doing her a solid. And hey, it worked. They’re probably back together as we speak. I’m a fucking genius.”

“So you pushed the girl you’re in love with back to her ex? Purposefully?”

“When you put it like that…” I shrug uncomfortably. “At the time, I thought I was doing the right thing. Getting her back where she wanted to be. I thought if I could help, maybe she’d… I don’t know. Hate me less.”

Ben laughs and then laughs some more while I glare at him bitterly.

“This is funny to you?”

“You and Mackenzie both have the same problem. Instead of just telling each other the truth, how you feel, you keep trying to push the person toward what you think will make them happy. It’s painful to watch.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

“Tell her.”

“Easy for you to say, when you’re skulking around hallways.”

“I’m working up to it,” he gripes defensively.

“You should hurry. You’re way better at all this relationship shit than the rest of us. Probably could win your grad student over with a few words.”

He shrugs. “I grew up with a lot of women around. You learn things if you listen.”

“So what do I do?”

“I can’t tell you that. You know her better. But I would start by telling her the truth.”

“And if she won’t listen?”

“She will.”

“And here are your breakfasts.” The server sets our plates down. “And I got you some extra napkins too.”

She slides the napkins toward Ben’s side of the table and then takes off. Her number is neatly scrawled on the top.

“It’s really unfair.” I grump as he gives me a shit-eating grin.

* * *

The next afternoonEaston and I drop by the sports bar Wren works at, hoping she’s actually on shift because I need to talk to her. When we walk in, she’s behind the bar and the place is nearly dead.

“Hey,” I say, taking a seat on one of the stools. Easton sidles up next to me, nodding at her.

“Of all the gin joints,” she responds sarcastically, eyeing me and giving Easton a decidedly derisive glance.

“I wanted to talk to you. And Easton wanted to apologize for being an ass.”

“I just said I wanted some cheese fries,” Easton interjects.

Wren’s eyebrow lifts.

“Fine. I’m fucking sorry, okay? I was just trying to get my boy laid. A little revenge sex. I don’t think that’s a crime.”

“In my bedroom. On my sheets. Do you know how long it’s going to take to get all the micro glitter out?”

“I’ll pay for them to be washed. Fuck, I’ll buy you new ones if you want. Several. It’s what I do when I have that problem.”