Hate the Player: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romantic Comedy(66)

“Dear God.” She sighs. “Sometimes, men are such dogs.”

She doesn’t take the bait, but the slight flush of her cheeks and her annoyed response tell me everything I need to know.

Oh yeah, she’s definitely wearing my underwear.

And if me thinking about that sexy fact makes me a dog, then woof, woof, sweetheart.





Birdie



Seeing as I didn’t have sex last night, I’m not sure if this qualifies, but walking into a diner with a brown paper bag filled with last night’s clothes and wearing underwear that aren’t mine certainly feels like the walk of shame.

The last half of the fifteen-minute drive from Andrew’s to the diner I spent fielding text messages from Howie and my assistant and my sister.

Howie apologized profusely for what happened, and I told him not to worry about it. It was all forgiven.

Samantha had a million damn questions about what went down last night, and I told her I’d give her all the details when I got back from lunch. Truthfully, I’d rather not have to speak or think about yesterday ever again, but she certainly deserves an explanation.

And Billie, well, I told her to hold her freaking pregnancy horses because I was on my way.

I was anticipating Andrew pushing the whole “joining us for lunch” thing, but to my utter shock, he simply dropped me off at the entrance and drove off once he saw I made it inside.

And when I stepped inside Frankie’s, I spotted Mel and Franco, Billie’s two burly security guys, first. Then, nestled in our usual booth at the back, I located Billie and Rocky sitting across from each other, chatting and eating their food.

My lunch companions officially found, I begin to walk their way.

The sandals on my feet flip and flop against my heels as I head toward the table, and I’m more than thankful that I didn’t spot any paparazzi staking out with their cameras outside.

Jesus. Today is the absolute last day I’d want to have my picture splashed across some gossip column.

When I step closer to the booth, Billie looks up from her half-eaten plate of food. At first, she starts to smile, but then, when she takes in my new hobo-esque fashion of sweatpants and a T-shirt that’s several sizes too big for me, her lips turn down at the corners.

“What in the hell happened to you?” she asks, and Rocky glances up from her plate and gives me a curious once-over.

“I had a bit of a night,” I say through a sigh and sit down beside my sister. “And I’m sorry for being so late.”

“A bit of a night?” Billie questions with an amused grin. “Sis, you look like you got dressed in the dark. Seriously, what in the hell are you wearing? I mean, I get the whole dress casual thing, but this is taking it to another level.”

“And you have a grocery bag as a purse,” Rocky adds through a laugh. “What is happening right now?”

So much for being hopeful that I could get through this lunch without delving into last night’s shenanigans…

“Well…it’s a long story, and if you don’t mind, I’m going to order myself some food and try to act like I’m not wearing someone else’s underwear.”

“What the heck?” Billie bursts into shocked laughter. “Someone else’s underwear? Birdie, you’re going to have to give a little more detail than that.”

Rocky giggles. “Yeah, I’m with Billie. Tell us what in the hell is going on with you.”

I sigh again, and thankfully, a nice waiter with a friendly smile steps up to our booth to take my order. I take my sweet time, asking him several questions about the menu, before my impatient sister stops the madness.

“Yeah, okay, that’s about enough of this.” She steals my menu from my hands and hands it back to the waiter. “She’ll have a cheeseburger and fries and a Coke to drink.”

“Hey now, what if that’s not what I want?”

“I guess you’ll just have to find a way to enjoy it.” Billie rolls her eyes and smiles at the waiter. “That’s definitely what she wants. Thank you.”

The waiter stands there for an awkward moment, glancing between me and my sister.

Poor guy. He doesn’t deserve to be in this cross fire.

“Are you sure that’s…?” he starts to question, and I nod.

“Yep. I’ll have a cheeseburger. Fries. And a Coke.” I put him out of his uncomfortable misery. “Thank you.”

Eventually, the waiter leaves our table to put in my order, and Billie doesn’t waste any time.

“Spill it, sister,” she says and takes a sip from her water.

“Ugh.” I groan. “It’s embarrassing.”

“Yeah.” Rocky giggles. “That’s more than apparent, honey.”

“Are we dealing with a walk of shame situation right now?” Billie asks, her eyes brightening with each word.

“Slow your excited roll. I didn’t have sex last night.”

My sister narrows her eyes. “Then what in the hell happened?”

“Well, prepare yourselves, because I’m about to take you on quite the freaking ride…” I pause, and Billie waves her hand impatiently.

“Stop dragging this out and tell us, for fuck’s sake.”

So, I do.