Page 144 of Tight Ends & Tiaras
BEN
The manacross the table introduces himself and his girlfriend. I nod like I care and listen to the conversation half-heartedly.
“What about you? Where’s your date tonight?”
I realize the rich guy is talking to me.
“No date tonight.”
Amelia is kind enough to fill in the blanks. “His girlfriend broke up with him. I keep trying to set him up with my friends, but he’s a sad panda.” She finishes that statement in the most annoying baby voice I’ve ever heard. What Olly sees in her, I’ll never know.
I give her a tight smile, remembering how she outed my fake-dating situation to Janelle. With everything going on, I forgot to talk to Olly about it. “Thanks, Amelia.”
“Sure thing, Ben.”
For some reason, the football guys at the table start sharing their majors. We go around like we’re at some get-to-know-you session at orientation.
When it’s my turn, I smile politely and share the pertinent details. “Double major, business and computer science. Tight end on the team. Father to a two-year-old named Lily.”
For some reason, this catches the attention of the rich guy, who I learn is named Alex. “That’s a lot on your plate.”
He has no idea. “It’s not so bad if you have your priorities on straight.”
“No time for partying.”
I haven’t been to a party this semester. “Don’t feel like I’m missing much. Been there, done that. My ex always used to say that a little sacrifice today will make a big difference tomorrow.”
“That’s just sad.” Amelia reaches over and pats my arm like I’m a loser. “Sienna broke up with you, bro. Give it up.”
Olly winces and mouths ‘sorry.’
Why am I here again?
“Excuse me. I’m gonna get something to drink. Can I get anything for y’all?” I look around the table, and of course Sylvie wants another Bloody Mary.
I’m paying for Granny to get blitzed when out of the corner of my eye I spot Destiny hauling ass to the stage.
Haven’t seen her around, but Sienna told me a while back that Winston had knocked up her former best friend. Destiny definitely messed with the wrong guy. Winston has zero concept of honor or loyalty. I suppose that’s the universe’s way of evening things out after she backstabbed Sienna.
Destiny storms up to Winston and tosses a drink in his face.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” he yells as he jumps up and starts for her, but Fowler holds him back.
The entire ballroom quiets. Every pair of eyes is on Winston and Destiny.
She doesn’t seem to care that her life is at risk because she gets in his face. “I’m pregnant with your baby and you’re here with another woman? What about all the promises you made to me? What about your responsibility to me and this baby?”
“That’s not my kid, you crazy bitch!”
Krud runs at them, testing the strength of the buttons on his suit. His face is bright red as he angry-whispers at them.
Winston’s date tries to defend him, and Destiny reaches over and yanks out some extensions.
“Ooooh, bad move.” Olly shakes his head before he apologizes to the boosters at our table. “We’re not always a Jerry Springer episode, but when we are, we really do it with style.”
Krud and the security drag Winston, his date, and the ex behind the stage, but the curtains are cracked open, and I can see hair flying.
Everyone in the ballroom hears bits and pieces because the mic at the podium is hot and catching what they say.
