Gold (All that Glitters #2)(50)

“Ugh! Turn it off,” Bryna complained. She wished it weren’t so catchy.

“You’re nuts. I love it!” Stacia said.

“Okay. You listen to her then. She’s sweet and all, but I’ve had enough of her for one lifetime.” Bryna sure knew how to hold a grudge. “We’ll plan later. I’m going to head over to E’s.”

“Wait, what?” Trihn shrieked.

“Eric’s?” Stacia asked.

“Yeah,” Bryna said.

She hung out with Eric all the time now. She had gone from hating him to wanting to spend all her time with him.

“You are so dating him!” Stacia said.

“No, I’m really not.”

“Admit it, Bri,” Trihn said. “You’re with him so much. You two go and get food together. You spent Christmas together.”

“That’s called dating, honey,” Stacia remarked.

“You guys don’t understand.”

“Then, help us understand.” Trihn crossed her arms over her chest and incredulously looked at her. “Because everyone thinks you two are dating.”

“Oh my God!” Bryna cried. “He’s gay!”

“WHAT?” Stacia and Trihn cried in unison.

“Yes. Okay? Eric is gay. One hundred percent not interested in girls. Last time I checked, I’m a girl. He’s not into me. Thus, we are not dating.”

“No way!” Stacia said. “I don’t believe you.”

“Yeah. I’m with the cheer slut. I can’t see someone like Eric being gay,” Trihn agreed.

“What does that mean?” Bryna asked defensively.

“Nothing. I didn’t mean it like that. I meant, he has an ex-girlfriend. He totally hits on you,” Trihn said.

“Yeah, an ex-girlfriend who was a cover and a girl who is a friend, who is a cover.” Bryna pointed at herself. “We talked about it. He’s cool with me acting as a cover.”

“I just…wow,” Stacia said. “You’re serious?”

“Yes, I’m serious!”

“I’m so shocked.” Trihn sat down heavily on the bed. “I for sure thought that you two were dating behind everyone’s backs and hiding it poorly. He seems to ground you. I thought you were perfect together.”

“Nope. Nothing mushy going on. You both know I don’t believe in love, emotions, and other disgusting things. Eric and I are just friends.”

“Wow,” Stacia repeated.

“But you two have to swear to never breathe a word of this. Not even to Neal, Trihn. Eric’s obviously not out and not ready to be. Football players are hard enough to be in charge of. I wouldn’t want any of their prejudices to interfere with his coaching. He’s still a great coach.”

“I won’t say anything,” Trihn said automatically. “You have to worry more about the big mouth over here.” She pointed her thumb at Stacia.

Her blue eyes went wide. “I’m horrible at secrets, but I promise not to say anything. If I do, you can cut me off from the cheer world.”

“That would be the end of her,” Trihn confirmed.

“Okay, good. Not a word of this. I couldn’t stand you two saying that Eric and I were together any longer.” Bryna shouldered her purse. “I’m going to head out now.”

“Tell Eric we said hi,” Stacia said.

Bryna shook her head. “Sure.”

Trihn walked her to the door. “You know, I’m still really surprised. I thought he was into you.”

“I never get that vibe, and it’s for the better.”

“Well, I hope you find someone who stirs emotions back into you. I know you’ve been hurt. I can tell.” Trihn placed her hand on Bryna’s shoulder. “We’re here for you. Maybe…let people in every now and then.”

Bryna bristled under Trihn’s scrutiny. Letting people in was what had caused all of her strife in the first place. She didn’t mind Trihn and Stacia. She had never had friends like them before, but guys were a big no. It was easier to get everything she needed from them and keep them at a distance. She wasn’t making the mistake of letting anyone get close to her like Jude again. Look what it had done. One afternoon with Jude, and she had been a mess. Never again.

“I appreciate it, Trihn. But I’ve got it all figured out.”

“I know you do,” she said, letting Bryna walk out the door. “But sometimes, when you let people into your heart, it doesn’t automatically equal heartbreak.”

“I’d have to have a heart to break,” she said.

Trihn’s laughter didn’t reach her eyes. They both knew Bryna wasn’t joking.

Bryna left Trihn’s apartment and drove across town. She hadn’t told Eric she was coming over, but she didn’t think Eric would care. Spring practice would resume soon, and they would have less time to hang out. That made her frown, but then she reminded herself that she had a whole new house to herself.

She entered through the unlocked front door and found a pitcher of margaritas hanging out in the blender.

“Eric?” she called.

No answer.

She poured herself a glass of margarita and then carefully walked out the back door. There Eric was, in nothing but swim trunks and Ray-Ban Wayfarers. He had a notebook out in front of him and a half-empty margarita on the table. He looked…god-like.