Hard Love (Trophy Boyfriends 3)

Still, I’ll bite.

He wants to play a game and I have time—for now, anyway. I have television to entertain me but haven’t set any of it up yet.

Bantering with Tripp will have to keep me occupied. No harm in that. It’s not like I actually like the guy and there’s any threat of me falling for him.

The idea makes me laugh. Ha! As if.

Me: Haven’t been yourself? Really. Do tell.

Tripp: It would be easier if I told you in person.

Me: We both know that’s not happening.

Tripp: Why are you like this?

Me: Like what?

Tripp: So stubborn.

Not a single soul has ever called me stubborn and I love the way it sounds: So stubborn. My back straightens. Chin tilts up.

Tripp: Are you doing this on purpose?

Doing what? Intentionally trying to piss him off? As if that’s hard to do?

Me: You give me way too much credit.

Tripp: No, I don’t think I gave you ENOUGH credit.

True. But he’s in good company, because everyone underestimates me. It’s because I’m mostly quiet, content to observe from the background and let other people shine. That doesn’t mean I don’t have thoughts or ideas of my own, or that I’m not strong.

My strength is my patience. My contentment. My lack of a need for drama.

Tripp did strike a nerve, though, and I set down the stack of board games in my arms on the coffee table and plop down on the couch, chin in my hands.

What would be the harm in getting a drink with the guy? He’s fun to annoy and I don’t have any plans in the next few days. Many of my girlfriends aren’t available when I want to hang out—several of them are nurses with long hours, one just moved to Florida, and my friend Kristy just had a baby. I can’t take her out for a drink while she’s breastfeeding a newborn—although she probably needs it more than any of us.

I stare off at the blank, white wall, at the spot where Hollis had artwork hung, only the dust shadows and nail holes remaining.

I should fill those and repaint.

Sigh.

So much to do and I start work on Monday.

Tripp: What if I feed you?

Me: You already said you weren’t going to.

My phone rings.

Dammit! It’s him. WHAT IS HE DOING?

I swipe to answer, already rolling my eyes. “What?”

He pauses. “Is that how you answer the phone now? I thought you were nice.”

Nice?

That makes me laugh. “You never thought I was nice, you thought I was boring.” As I love to remind him. “And a stick in the mud—how is that calling me nice?”

“Why do you keep bringing up the boring thing and throwing it in my face? You’re hurting my feelings.” He sounds serious. “I was young and naïve back then.”

“Has anyone ever told you you’re ridiculous?”

“No actually.”

“Well they should because you are.”

He pauses to think. “My sister maybe, but she doesn’t count because she’s my sister.”

I’ve only just been introduced to True Wallace recently. She is the spitting image of her brothers, but female—tall, dark, and beautiful. The trio of them are close, and now that my cousin is part of the family, I can’t help but feel a touch of envy pooling in the pit of my stomach.

“Sisters are supposed to tease.”

Tripp grunts, which I guess is his agreement.

“Um…” I clear my throat. “Why are you calling again?”

“It’s easier than texting.”

“No, taking no for an answer the first time is easier than texting.”

Tripp lets out a low tsss sound. “Sick burn, Westbrooke.”

“This isn’t a competition and that wasn’t a burn. I was merely stating a fact, not trying to one-up you.”

“You couldn’t one-up me—I’d win.”

Oh my god, this guy. “See? You’re doing it.”

“Doing what?”

I imagine it’s the same thing he probably does at his parents’ house with his brother and his sister, arguing so he can win some fictional contest amongst his siblings. Too bad it won’t work on me—his mother is not here to umpire.

Or referee.

Or whatever officials are used in football.

“You can’t just call me and expect me to change my mind. I’ve spent enough time in your company to know we wouldn’t enjoy having a drink together. I’d have to have at least five just to tolerate you.”

I clap a hand over my mouth. That was such a rude thing for me to say!

I immediately feel guilty.

“I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.”

Tripp lets out a low whistle. “First rule of Fight Club, never apologize for brutal honesty. Men will have more respect for you.”

I tip my head. “I thought the first rule of Fight Club was that you don’t talk about Fight Club.”

A loud sigh comes over the line. “Are you always this literal?”

Am I? “I don’t think so?” Not on purpose anyway.

Probably though. But that’s from years of a strict upbringing and private school teachers breathing down my neck, and friends who were snotty and stuck up.