Page 11 of The Game Plan

“Different?” Okay, I know he’s quiet. And obviously whip smart; he managed me with a deftness that scares me. But different?

Ivy sets her bread down, and her voice lowers. “He’s really sensitive. In a good way, but... Gray thinks he might be aTebow.”

“What the fuck do you meana Tebow?” And why am I so annoyed? “You mean that whole kneeling and praying thing?”

She leans forward. “No. A virgin.”

I swear all the blood rushes out of my face. “What? No way. He’s... well, he’s fucking hot.” Okay, that slipped. “And he...”I bite my lip to keep from saying he sure as hell didn’t kiss like a virgin.

Only it’s been so long since I kissed a virgin, I’m not sure how one kisses, or if the way someone kisses is even a markerof sexual experience. I mean, sex is a lot more than inserting peg A into slot B, or B into B or—whatever the case, it shouldbe more.

I cover my slip with another truth. “He’s got to be twenty-four. How on earth could he be a virgin? Is it for religious reasons?”

She shakes her head. “I don’t think he’s at all religious. Honestly, I don’t know why he’d be a virgin either. And it’s notsomething that Gray or his college teammates ever openly talked about, which is saying something.”

“Then maybe we shouldn’t be gossiping about it now.” I know I sound snappish, which is unfair to Ivy; we gossip about everything.But it feels wrong talking about Dex this way.

Ivy blinks as though I hurt her, and I feel worse. But then she gives a small nod as if she understands.

“Look,” she says in a low voice, “I’m only mentioning it because... Hell. If youdidfool around with him last night, or whatever, just be careful with him.”

I can’t help but laugh, though it hurts my throat. “What? Am I some sort of man-eater now?”

“No. Of course not. But Dex isn’t hookup material.”

“I think you should let Dex decide that for himself, seeing as he’s a grown man and all. And before you start in on me again,I’m not going to do anything with him. Jesus. We only hung out an hour at most.” And kissed like we were dying for it. “That’sall.”

Liar, liar, liar.

Ivy knows I am. I can see it in her eyes. Maybe motherhood has softened her, because she doesn’t push, only takes a sip of her coffee and goes silent.

For a long moment I sit there, silent as well. Then my fingers start to tap on the table.

“How do you stand it?” I blurt out.

“What? Your weak little innocent act?” she asks with cheek.

I stick out my tongue. “Funny, bunny. I meant, well... How do you stand being left behind while Gray travels to all hisgames?”

We grew up with a dad who left his family to play professional basketball, then later as a sports agent. And we’ve dealt withit differently. Ivy is the fixer, always trying to soothe ruffled feathers.

Me? I went out and partied, cracked stupid jokes and shut down any and all deeper connections. It’s worked so far, but seeingIvy so gone on Gray and still she has to live this life? I don’t understand it.

Ivy’s long fingers wrap tight around her mug. “It was better when I could go with him. It sucks when we’re apart. I won’tlie about that, but...” She worries her bottom lip with her teeth. “I don’t know how else to explain it except to say thatGray is my heart. Life simply doesn’t work without him in it so...” She shrugs. “We do what we have to do during his season.”

“And that’s really enough?”

Her smile is almost secretive. “Yeah,” she says softly. “Gray is more than enough.”

The way she says it, like he’s the joy that begins and ends her day, hits me square in the chest, and I have trouble breathing.Loneliness is this cold, drafty thing blowing over me, making me want to hug myself tight.

How must it feel? To be a part of someone else? And they’re a part of you?

Someone to have your back no matter what?

My knuckles press against the table.Ishould be enough for me. I shouldn’t feel lonely. Fuck. Maybe I’m getting hormonal or something.

Thankfully, I don’t have to wallow in my weird maudlin mood because the front door opens, and Dex and Gray amble in. My heartrate kicks up, seeing Dex’s massive frame outlined in the doorway.