The Coaching Hours (How to Date a Douchebag #4)(41)

“Just fine? Ugh.”

It’s better than fine, actually. She looks gorgeous, and if circumstances were different, I’d tell her so. But, she’s my roommate, she hasn’t indicated she wants to change things anytime soon, and the last thing I want is Anabelle getting the wrong idea by me hitting on her.

Not when she’s living across the hall.

Not when I have to see her in that damn silk robe every morning.

“You look good.”

Really fucking good.

Hot.

“You’re sure I shouldn’t go change?”

“Nah. You look hot.”

“Why the hell didn’t you say that to begin with?”

“Because, you’re not sticking to the plan!”

Now I have her laughing, thank God. “I am the only one following the plan! I’m letting him take me out for free food! And to start, I’m going to order a bunch of appetizers and drinks, not eat or drink a single one of them, and make him pay.”

“Are you going out after your dinner?”

“Yes.” She picks at her navy blue nail polish. “For dancing, remember?”

“Seriously Anabelle? You’re going to let him wine and dine you?”

“I repeat: free. Food. Fake.”

She’s exhausting. “Is he coming here to pick you up?”

“No, I’m meeting him downtown. I thought it would be best—you know, no awkward goodnight walks to the front door, no fending off a goodnight kiss.”

I don’t even want to try imagining that scenario playing out on my fucking front porch.

“Can you do me a favor? Don’t lose sight of the fact that Rex bet one of his teammates he could fuck you for the chance at a bigger bedroom, okay?”

All the way from my bed, I can see her chest getting red. “Who would forget a detail like that? Do you think I’m an idiot?”

“No. I just think you’re being too nice.”

“Disagree.” She sticks her forefinger in the air. “I sent Eric Johnson to my dad’s house already, remember? He won’t be bothering me again.”

“Bet he does.”

“Haha, very funny. Don’t you start with that betting crap.”

“I was joking. Lighten up.”

“Fine.” She relents. “It was a decent play on words, though I’m not too proud to admit it.”

“Should I get dressed and come with you?” I set the book down on my comforter, starting to rise from the bed.

Anabelle throws her hands up to stop me, waving them in the air. “Oh my God, don’t you dare! I do not need you hovering, Dad. He’ll know something is up.”

I beg to differ. “No he won’t—Rex Gunderson is a fucking moron. I’ve seen his brand of genius at work many, many times.”

“Still, don’t you dare show up.” She sends me an accusatory glare.

Not intimidated, I ignore her, thinking I might actually show up on her fake date—you know, scope it out, check out the situation. Make sure he keeps his fucking hands off her.

If I can’t touch her, he sure as hell can’t.

The last time Anabelle went out to party, I carried her semi-unconscious body through my door and tucked her into my bed to sleep it off. I’ve earned the right to be overprotective of her.

She’s my friend.

The thought makes me throw up in my mouth a little.

“Oh!” I say a little too loudly. “I have an idea before you leave. Should we have some kind of Bat Signal? In case you need me?”

“Sure.” My roommate rolls her eyes. “Or I could just text you like a normal person.”

“This whole revenge plot thing is becoming anti-climactic, seeing as you’ve forgotten what a tool this dude is.”

“Oh my God, twist my arm, we’ll have a panic word! What do you want the signal to be?”

I sit up on my bed, resting against the headboard. “How about ‘take me out to the ball game’ and I’ll be there within five minutes.”

“How unoriginal.”

“I was going to suggest ‘balls deep’ as a soccer reference but didn’t want to offend you.”

“As if I’ve never heard that zinger while hanging around my dad’s practice gym. Still, it was very considerate of you not to suggest it.” She laughs. Stops laughing. “Wait, what do you mean ‘be there in five minutes?’ That would mean you were close by.”

“Don’t worry about it. Just know I’ll be within five minutes away.”

“Elliot! Did I not just say I didn’t want you spying on me!”

“I won’t! I’ve decided to go downtown. Not in the same bar, I swear.”

She squints one eye closed. “Why don’t I believe you?”

“Because I’m full of shit and we both know it, that’s why.”

I grin, determined to find out where she is and make sure I’m in the area. I don’t trust Rex Gunderson, and neither does anyone else. I don’t want to just burn the bridge he has with Anabelle, I want to drain the lake beneath it and fill it with concrete.

Anabelle is spending the night out with a fucking loser.

“Can we just get this night over with please?”