Page 25 of Lessons in Lemonade

“I think you should talk to him,” Billy suggests. Of course he does. Everyone else is afraid of him, at least when he gets like this, and I somehow always get volunteered.

“Or maybe he just needs his girl to work it out of him,” I state, thinking that’s the best solution for him. Since Lexi has come into the picture, he’s been less serious, happier, but then again, with that slight change in his personality, the sharks have come out to feed. The media has had a field day talking about his performance, his relationship—hell, all aspects of his life. For someone like him, this is just about the worst thing to happen.

“Speaking of girls, it’s time for me to go find mine,” Billy says.

“Me too,” comes from Reid, and together they head back up to the party.

Alone on the dock again, I move to take a seat on a decorative patio chair that’s been set on the lower level. Leaning back, I prop my feet up on the accompanying one and pull my phone out of my jacket pocket. Suddenly feeling overwhelmed by the need to know what Meg’s up to, I scroll to her contact and fire off a text: Out on the town tonight?

I don’t expect her to reply; in fact, as much as I have the urge to know the answer, a huge part of me hopes she doesn’t. I want her to be out and having fun, living her life, but she does reply, almost instantly.

Meg: Not really. Taylor had people over to her place. I told her I would come, but I have to open in the morning so now I’m on my way home.

Relief floods me in a way I know it shouldn’t. I also know I shouldn’t have been jealous over some random guy she kissed this month, but I was. It’s my own fault for asking her, and there’s definitely something to be said for the idea that ignorance is bliss.

Me: Well, you look beautiful.

Meg: Thank you. Lexi mentioned a party at Reid’s house—are you there?

Hearing her speak about my friend as if he is hers warms a place in the center of my chest, and I can’t help but rub it.

Me: Yep. Wish you were here, though.

And I do. I had the best time with her over Thanksgiving, and it would be fun to show her off to my teammates.

Meg: Sounds fun. I probably could have talked one of your teammates into being my date.

Wait, what? Uh, no—not a chance in hell.

Me: What am I, chopped liver?

I try to keep my response light, because although she isn’t mine, just the thought of her with someone else has me grinding my teeth together.

Meg: No, silly. You’re my friend.

Me: Correction: best friend. But friend or not, I make a great date.

Although I have seen how she is with her dates over the last few months—one and done. As far as I know, she hasn’t repeated with any of these guys. I actually feel bad for the poor schmucks. She’s a great girl, and I can only imagine how being tossed aside has bruised some egos.

Meg: But then I’d have to kiss you at midnight.

Me: And that’s a problem . . . why? I’ll have you know I’m an excellent kisser.

Meg: I’m sure you think you are.

Me: Ouch. You’re wounding me with your inaccurate assumptions.

“Good evening, ladies, gentlemen, and teammates,” I hear loud and clear over the partygoers. I stand and tuck my phone in my pocket as that’s my cue to head back up. Chuckles ripple across the crowd as people gravitate closer to the stage Reid and Camille are standing on.

“I’ll keep this short as it’s almost midnight, but Camille and I wanted to say thank you to all of you for coming tonight and spending New Year’s Eve with us. We know y’all have many places you could be and you chose here, so thanks again. As we ring in the new year, I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout-out to the one that’s ending. After all, some amazing things happened.” He looks over at Camille, and whistles rip through the air. “I can’t imagine this next year being better than the last, but I welcome it with open arms.” He bends down to kiss her and then pops up, grinning. “I mean, how many seasons have we gone undefeated?!”

The guys roar, and I can’t help but smile at my teammates, my brothers.

“I’d like to make a toast, so raise your glasses. As we head into this year, I hope it brings each of you good luck and happiness, and may all our dreams come true.”

Someone coughs, “Super Bowl,” and the crowd cheers through laughter.

“Happy New Year, everyone!”