Raging Heart On_ Friends to Lovers Romance(85)
“Did you really break up with her?”
“I’m not wasting my time on a lying bitch,” I growl, finishing my drink. I doubt she will see the truth or the irony in that statement. I’m staring at the biggest lying bitch I’ve ever met. After my talk with Kayla yesterday though, I have one goal: to make Rachel tell me what her damn game is. With that in mind, I do my best not to get up and choke her. I’ve never hurt a woman in my life, but damn if she doesn’t tempt me.
“Kayla always causes drama. I tried to maintain a friendship with her because we are sisters, even if it’s only half, but we’re just different kinds of people.”
“I can see that. You two are nothing alike,” I tell her. Jesus, truer words have never been spoken.
“Thanks, White. I guess we have a lot to talk about.”
“Not really.”
“We need to discuss the baby.”
“We’re not having a baby. I don’t know what your game is, Rachel, but you need to cut the shit.”
“White—”
“Whatever game you’re playing needs to stop. I don’t know who’s the father of that baby you’re carrying, but I know it’s not me.”
“You’re wrong. We—”
“We did nothing. Even if I had wanted to, and I did not, I was too drunk that night to do anything.”
“Then how do you explain this?” she asks, her hand petting the prominent curve of her stomach.
“Fuck if I know. It’s probably not immaculate conception, so I figure you found some idiot to knock you up.”
“You’re being crude.”
“That’s who I am.”
“No, it’s not, and I understand that, White. You were looking for a child and a marriage and I can give you that. I can give you that better than Kayla ever could.”
“I—”
“I’m serious, White,” she interrupts. “I fit into your life better than Kayla ever could. I’ve been in the world more. Your lifestyle is the kind that I live daily. I know how to be exactly what you need not only in bed, but in your career. I can help you advance and network.”
“My career?”
“Exactly. You want to be the star quarterback in Dallas. I can help make that happen. The woman in your life is a reflection on you when it comes to your bosses and the general managers of other teams. I know how to fit in and behave, to make you proud. Kayla would only ever embarrass you.”
“You have it all figured out, don’t you, Rachel?”
“I do.”
“You forgot one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I no longer play football.”
“What? Of course you do! You’ve just been on—”
“Medical leave, and as of yesterday, that was made permanent. The shoulder is never going to be game-ready again. So there is no big team dinners, no networking to be done, no hopes of ever being the best quarterback in Dallas.”
“What are you going to do? You need to talk to the doctors and make sure they know how important this is!”
“But it’s not.”
“It’s not?”
“Without Kayla, none of it is important. She’s the love of my life.”
“You’re not going to be playing football anymore?”
“Hell no. You’re looking at a washed-up has-been,” I tell her, finding a certain amount of satisfaction in the look on her face.
“What will you do?”
“Do?”
“For a job?”
“I’m going to take up ranching and help Blue.”
“Well, I mean, with what you made in the past, I’m sure you’re not really hurting for money, so I guess whatever makes you happy. But you’re not cut out to stay in the backwoods.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t care if I ever step foot into the city again.”
“But…”
“None of this is your business, Rachel. You really need to leave. I’ve got more important things to do, like visit the outhouse.”
“I don’t remember you being so crass before.”
“You weren’t trying to fuck up my life before. What I don’t understand is what you could possibly hope to gain from this shit. You and I both know there’s no way I could be the father of your kid.”
“You were drunk.”
“Drunk enough to pass out, not fuck.”
“You could have—”
“Besides, my dick hasn’t fallen off, and I’m pretty sure if it got anywhere near you that it would have.”
“I’m going to leave. I obviously can’t talk to you when you’re in this mood.”