Page 77 of Just for the Plot

“Love you.”

“Love you too,” I say and then hang up the phone.

“Ooooo,” Nolan coos. “Who do you love?”

“My sister, you fuck,” I say, throwing a roll of athletic tape at him and making him laugh.

“Is she single?”

“You know she’s married, and even if she was single, you would be the last fucking person I’d even consider letting her date.”

He grips his heart. “That hurts, man. That really hurts.”

Bower:Are you still awake?

Bennett:Just got back to my hotel. What’s up? Everything okay?

Bower:Yeah, everything’s fine. I’ve been attempting to unpack ever since your sister told me she was coming to visit.

Bennett:I told you I’d help you. I couldn’t the other night like we planned because of a last-minute team meeting, but I said I would make it up to you.

Bower:And I told you I didn’t need the help.

Bennett:I’ll be back tomorrow after the afternoon game. I can help tomorrow night.

Bower:It’s fine. I’ve got it. I was texting you because I was wondering if you have any tools.

Bennett:What do you need tools for?

Bower:Hanging things and maybe building a side table.

Annoyed, I exit the text thread and call her.

It takes her two rings before she answers. “Bennett, I will not take a lecture from you about tools. You either have them or you don’t.”

“Bower, I will not take a lecture from you about not needing help. If you’re building things, at least let me help with that.”

“I don’t need some big, strong man to help me. I can do this on my own.”

“You think I’m strong?” I smirk as I lie down on my hotel bed.

“Oh my God, can you hear my eyes rolling? Of course you’re strong. I’d be lying if I said otherwise.”

“You would be. Glad you can admit it.”

“Seriously, Bennett, can I use your tools? I have a date tomorrow morning and want to make sure I hang something before that.”

My brow furrows.

A date?

In the morning?

With whom?

“You have a date?” I ask.

“Yeah, with Cougar. We decided to do a breakfast thing. It was my suggestion. I thought if I took him out of his playboy atmosphere, he might be more down-to-earth and willing to open up.”