Gold (All that Glitters #2)(40)

Ever since they had started hanging out, things hadn’t been awkward. He was so easy to be around. But that kiss had changed something.

Or maybe it was all in her head. It hadn’t really meant anything. All of the emotions had been running high from the game, and bam!

“It’s okay. It was no big deal. We both got carried away,” he said.

“I don’t want this to change anything between us,” she said immediately.

“It shouldn’t have to.”

“It’s actually been nice, having a friend who I don’t have to compete with and who doesn’t want to get in my pants.”

“I think your competitive nature is still intact. You did try to prove that by eating an entire banana split,” he said with a rueful smile.

Bryna laughed, trying to loosen up some. “But not competition like with Stacia and Trihn. It’s always about guys and money…and guys with money. With you, it’s just us hanging out. I don’t feel pressured to do anything or be anyone. You accept the bitch.”

“I accept that you’re not as bitchy as you think you are,” he said.

“I wouldn’t go that far. I’m still the same person.”

“Maybe,” he said, crossing his arms.

He still looked like he wasn’t sure where all of this was headed, and she couldn’t blame him. She had no idea how she was going to bring this up.

“But I wouldn’t want you to feel pressured around me,” he said. “I’m not that kind of guy.”

“I know,” she said automatically. She felt like she had her in. They were on the same page. “Oh my God, I can’t hold it in any longer. I know your secret.”

He raised his eyebrows. “What secret?”

She pushed her shoulders back and soldiered on. “You know.” Her eyes were wide, silently pleading, Please don’t make me say it.

“I don’t think I do.”

“Come on, Eric,” she groaned.

“What makes you think it’s a secret?”

Bryna fought back an eye roll. Of course it was a secret. “You know, none of the guys know. You’re never seen with other girls. I don’t know. Plus, if it wasn’t a secret, then you wouldn’t be asking me if it was.”

He looked contemplative for a minute. “That’s true, I suppose. I’m not sure how you found out, but I don’t think anyone else knows.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want to out you if you weren’t ready.” She bit her lip.

“I didn’t think you would tell anyone.”

“I wouldn’t Plus, I’ve known for a while. And we weren’t really friends most of last semester, so I wasn’t going to say anything. I think it’s one of the main reasons I’ve been so comfortable around you. I don’t do relationships. Feelings and emotions and love, if it exists at all, are completely overrated. If I’d thought you were into me, then none of this would have happened. I never would have let you get close.”

She didn’t need any more complications with guys in her life. It’d really worked out better for her in the end that Eric was gay. She could be herself around him, and he didn’t judge her.

“You like to keep people at a distance,” he said.

“Well, now, I don’t have to keep you at a distance.” She shrugged. “Since, you know, nothing’s ever going to happen between us. But, um…that’s all I wanted to say. We should probably get back anyway.”

She opened the door before he could say anything else. The room was stifling. She hadn’t expected it to be that difficult. He had seemed cool with her knowing, but a bit like she had put him in shock. It must be so weird for him to have someone else know that he was gay. At least she wouldn’t have to hide that from him anymore.

But she wasn’t sure why, in that moment, it didn’t feel like as much of a relief as she had thought it would. Clearly, she needed to get laid. All this time without it had addled her mind and made her think things that couldn’t possibly exist.

BRYNA RETURNED TO LAS VEGAS on a total high. As she drove up the street toward her condo, she noticed another car in the driveway. A Mercedes SUV. Fuck.

She parked in the garage and entered through the side door. Inside, her condo looked like a land mine had gone off inside. There was stuff everywhere—boxes piled high, clothes strewed on the couch, and junk littered the floor.

“What the f*ck is going on?”

A smile lit up Pace’s face. “Hey, sis.”

“What are you doing to my house?” she cried. “It’s a train wreck.”

“Moving in, of course.”

Bryna ground her teeth. She had forgotten for one blissful weekend that her sleazy stepbrother was moving into her place. She had thought that, by forgetting about it, it would go away. But no, Pace was still standing right there in front of her.

“I can’t believe you’re really f*cking moving in.”

“I was offered a spot in the sports dorm, but I decided I wanted to be closer to my sister.” He smirked devilishly. “The team understands.”

“Ew. That’s so nasty.” She shook her head. “You know, I’m never going to be around anymore, and you’d better get all this shit cleaned up. This whole thing isn’t right.”