Page 38 of Game Misconduct

“I’m going to say this once, and then we’re going to forget I brought it up,” she says.

I nod. “Deal.”

“Maybe you need to address it with the source. Your parents⁠—”

“This time, it’s not my parents,” I cut in.

Her eyes widen. “For real?”

“I hurt someone else, someone I don’t want to care about, and I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“Have you apologized?”

“No, because every time I see him, I end up snapping back. He brings out the worst in me. And I don’t like that,” I rush to add. “I don’t like the person I’m becoming when he’s around. But I can’t seem to stop. Everything about him sets me on edge, and it’s ninety percent because of the way I keep treating him.”

“And the other ten percent?”

“He’s hot as fuck and I want to jump his bones.” Again.

I mean, it would be a terrible idea, for multiple reasons. But it doesn’t keep me from wanting to take another ride on his magnificent cock.

Fuck. Maybe the alcohol is hitting me harder than I thought.

Ceci’s face clears of her confusion. “So why don’t you fuck it out?”

Been there, done that.

“Why do you think I’m in this position?” I down the last of my drink, and she waves over the bartender, pointing to my glass. “I can’t drink too much. I drove.”

“I’ll get you home safe and sound,” she promises.

Despite my misgivings, I let myself relax. She’s never done me wrong. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Right back at you.”

The bartender delivers my refill, and Ceci pushes the glass toward me. “Drink up. We’ll find a man to fuck the melancholy out of you.”

“I don’t want a man.”

“Woman?” she asks without judgment. “Nonbinary?”

I blow out a breath. “Sadly, I’m only attracted to men.”

“Same. Kind of sucks sometimes.” She eyes Pablo, the cute, young bartender who isn’t looking twice at her. “Dating in your forties is the fucking worst.”

“Worse than your thirties?”

She nods. “I’m totally over it. But I also don’t want to end up alone. Guys my age are either doing the family thing—no thanks—or want an arm trophy, and I’m not about that. Joke’s on them. I’m the whole damn trophy case.”

My chuckle is dark and bitter. “You and me both.”

“I just want a man who can keep up with me, will keep challenging me to grow, and won’t care about my money.” Ceci sighs heavily. “Seems impossible to find.”

“Trade a famous brother for your money, and I’m right there with you.”

She knocks her glass against mine in halfhearted cheers. “What are we going to do?”

I shrug, then bring my drink to my lips and gulp down the alcohol. It burns all the way down.

“You tell me.”