Page 136 of The Path to Loving Him
That’s not all you did this weekend.
I recall some other things . . .
“Well, I’m glad you’re feeling a little better,” Christian says like the dweeb that he is.
Okay, to be fair, he’s not really a dweeb, but I’m feeling pretty poorly about him at the moment, given how attached he seems to Gabby. Therefore, I’m lashing out.
“Hopefully, you don’t have to slide down any poles for a while,” he continues.
Fucking idiot. Can’t even do banter right. The only pole she’ll be sliding down again is mine.
“Yes, let’s hope that’s the case unless you need me to paint more foul poles, Ryland?”
“Nah, we’re good.”
“So . . . how is it working with the famous Coach Rowley?” Christian asks. Excuse me, but did I hear a sense of . . . jealousy in his tone? Or is that just me reaching for another reason to hate this guy? Not that I need another reason. He’s talking to Gabby, so that’s reason enough.
“Well, we haven’t done much, but I think we’re kicking it up this week, right?”
I nod. “Which reminds me, I actually want to talk to you about a few things.” I look at Christian. “If you’ll excuse us, we could use some privacy.”
Christian sits back and points at himself. “You want me to leave?”
“That would be great, thanks.”
“Oh.” He looks at Gabby, who doesn’t know what to say, so instead of making a fuss, he stands from the table and says, “Okay, well, I’ll see you around, Gabby. I’ll stop by later for that recipe.”
“Or I can email it.”
“Either way.” He touches her shoulder, and I nearly reach across the table and snap his wrist in half.
When he’s gone, Gabby leans forward and whispers, “That was rude.”
“What was rude?” I dig into my burgers, cutting them up with the knife and fork I brought with me.
“Kicking him out like that.”
“I don’t know. I feel pretty good about it.”
“Ryland,” she chastises.
“What?”
“I’m being serious.”
“So am I,” I say as I pop a piece of burger in my mouth, but when I’m met with her unpleased stare, I set my fork and knife down. “He needs to know you’re not someone he can talk to.”
“Says who? You? Because I hope we’re not getting into this again.”
“We’re not . . . we’re here to talk baseball.”
“We could have talked baseball in front of Christian.”
“And bore him?” I wave her off. “No, that’s not being fair to him. This is better, you and me, no distractions.”
“Uh-huh, and would you prefer if I sit next to you so we can really talk closely together?”
I prefer if you sit on my lap and let Christian know he has no goddamn chance.
