“I’m leaving for Nashville the day before you’re home, but don’t worry about it. We’ll hang out eventually.”
Ryan comes behind the couch and wraps his arms around my shoulders. “Please tell me not to go.”
“You’re going. Who is she anyway?”
“Our team’s GM’s niece.” Ryan takes a seat on the edge of the couch. “She’s going to some big movie premier, and our general manager called in a favor.”
“So, you are going to the movies.”
A subtle laugh heaves in Ryan’s chest. “Apparently, she needs some kind of PR overhaul, and who better to show up with than straight-laced, boring Ryan Shay.”
“You’re not boring, Ry.”
“I’m pretty fucking boring, Vee.”
“Well, maybe you’ll actually like her?”
“Not my type. This is strictly a business transaction.”
“How do you have a type if you don’t date?”
“Uncle’s money? That shouldn’t be anyone’s type.” Ryan quickly shakes his head in disapproval. “Speaking of dates, there’s this big charity gala coming up that I need a date for.”
“Perfect, ask your brother-stealing famous movie star girlfriend.”
“You’ll go with me, right?”
“Sure. If I’m not on the road for hockey.”
“You’re not. It’s one of your players’ charities. Active Minds of Chicago. Take my card and buy a dress for it. It’s black-tie.”
I tilt my head around to look at him, my eyes narrowing. “I have my own money. And besides, I’d rather find something secondhand.”
Ryan pulls his head back. “No way. Vee, you know I think your thrifted style is great, but you cannot wear a dress from a thrift store to this thing.”
“Why not?”
“Because that room is going to be filled with the highest-paid athletes in Chicago. You’ll stick out like a sore thumb.”
That statement quickly solves our debate. That’s the exact kind of attention I don’t want.
“Fine. You can buy me an expensive-ass dress to wear around your rich-ass colleagues.”
A satisfied smile slides across his lips. “Take the black Am-Ex when you go.” He gives my shoulders a quick squeeze before swiftly snatching the hot dog from my hands and taking a giant bite.
“What the hell?!”
“Fuck, that is good. I’ll have to get myself one of those next time.” He wipes the mustard from the side of his mouth. “So, Nashville, huh? You gonna tell Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb you’re coming back to town?”
“If you mean Hannah and Jackie, then I’m not sure yet. Haven’t decided.”
Ryan rummages through the kitchen pantry, looking for something to snack on. “Don’t. Those girls are evil.”
“They’re my friends.”
“They’re not your friends, Vee. They’re mean girls.”
I let out an exhausted breath. My brother is right, but they were my closest friendships in high school, no matter how much I felt left out from our trio.
“Speaking of mean girls…have you talked to Mom?”
Ryan shoots me a death glare over his shoulder. “Mom is not a mean girl.”
“Not to you. You are the favorite child after all.”
“No, I haven’t talked to her. But you better tell her you’re coming back to town. She’s going to want to see you.”
No, she’s not.
“Yeah, of course, I’ll tell her.” I avoid my brother’s stare before he figures out the truth that I hadn’t planned on letting my mom know I’ll be back home. I would love to see my dad, but my mom? Not so much.
“Speaking of that gala…” Ryan takes a seat on the armrest of the couch, eyeing me cautiously. “Brett hit me up today.”
“Why?” I quickly snap.
My brother inhales a deep breath. “He wants to visit. Come to that event.”
“Visit? Here? Like Chicago?”
Ryan pulls his gaze away from mine. “I told him it wasn’t a good idea. He didn’t know you were living here, but he’s really struggling right now, trying to find a job in sports. Every big team in the city will be at that charity gala. It’s a good place for him to network.”
There’s a shortness of oxygen going to my lungs and subsequently my brain from hearing Brett’s name. The last person I want to think about is my brother’s college teammate—my ex.