Page 61 of The Roommate Game

Brady poured another round. “To the Bears.”

Oh, hell no. I couldn’t fake it twice.

I pulled my cell out and stepped aside. “I have to get this. I’ll catch you guys later.”

“What? Get your ass back here, Langley. One more shot,” Regan called.

“One more shot, one more shot, one more shot,” Brady chanted, Regan joining in on the third refrain.

I flipped them off on my way to the door, then speed-walked to my truck.

“Langley! Hey, wait up.”

I muttered a curse under my breath as Ty jogged after me, grateful the beautiful weather gave me an excuse to shield my eyes with sunglasses. Ty was eerily perceptive at times, and the last thing I needed was the third degree.

“Slow your roll, man,” I drawled. “Where’s the fire?”

Yeah, if this coaching thing didn’t pan out, I might consider moving to Hollywood. I was a fucking great actor.

Or maybe not. Ty had the determined aura of someone ready to call bullshit.

“Are you okay?” The furrowed brow, copious tats, and shoulders as wide as a barge added an intimidating element, but it was the look of genuine concern in his eyes that stopped me.

“I’m fine.”

“You dumped your drink in my plant.”

“I was watering it,” I bluffed. “You’re welcome, by the way. The poor thing is fucking dead.”

He raked a hand through this hair in frustration or discomfort. “Something’s up.”

“Nothing is up.”

“Brady thinks you met someone. Did you? Or is he off base? And before you tell me I’m overreacting, I’ll remind you that you’re the one who started the tequila-shot celebration tradition. Tossing perfectly good alcohol out isn’t like you, and?—”

“Relax. It was Jose Cuervo,” I huffed, hoping to defuse his angst. Ty didn’t crack a smile. I puffed out my cheeks and slowly released air like a flat tire on its last gasp. “Dude…I’m fine. I swear. I didn’t drink the alcohol ’cause I have things to do, and I don’t want to smell like cheap booze all day. I have to clean up my image if I’m gonna be a serious adult, right?”

“Uh…right.” He nodded, but didn’t break his eagle-eyed stare. “So…are you seeing someone?”

“I—um. Yeah, I am. I mean, it’s not like—we aren’t—I mean, I don’t?—”

“Well, that explains a lot.” Ty laughed. “You could have just led with that, you know.”

My answering half chuckle was weak sauce. “Yeah…maybe.”

“Who? Anyone we know?”

I jiggled my keys and rolled my eyes. “Later, Ty.”

“All right. All right. Hey, did you know that Walker is interviewing your roommate?”

That stopped me. “Rafe?”

“Yeah, he mentioned it this morning. I guess Rafe is killin’ it and so is another guy on their team. I think they’re dating or something. I didn’t know Rafe had a boyfriend. Did you?”

I furrowed my brow so hard my sunglasses almost fell off my face. “Huh.Gotta go.”

My hands shook as I started the engine. I wasn’t sure if I was more upset about the fact I’d lied to my friends again or the mere mention of Rafe with Eli. Definitely the latter.