Chapter Twenty
Chloe
Tony saunters through the front door of the bakery with a bag in his hand. Several of the customers stare at him as if they’re trying to place him but can’t. In another year, that won’t be the case. Tony was a household name in the city he’d been drafted in, and with a few good games under his belt, he won’t be able to walk down the street.
“Hey, Chloe.”
“What can I do for you?” Rich said Tony doesn’t eat carbs during the season or at least not pastry carbs, so there’s no reason for him to be hanging out in a bakery.
Rich. Don’t think about him. No one wants a blubbering mess drooling into their icing.
“Can we talk?”
“Sure.” As he stares, heat fills my face. Rich told him. Shit. Tony isn’t exactly the fountain of discretion. Everyone will know about the bet, fake bet, losing my virginity, and Rich considering it pity sex within the week.
I swallow and walk to a quiet corner away from the other customers. My parents are going to blow a gasket. “What can I help you with?”
Tony folds his arms, causing the bag to crinkle. “Put Rich out of his misery.”
“What?”
“He’s acting like a recluse that would be lucky to be homeless.”
“Tony, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Is Rich sick?” Sweat covers my palms as my heart beats erratically. Melony can keep an eye on the shop. I need to make sure he’s okay.
Stop. He doesn’t want to see me. He fucked and fled. That should be a bumper sticker.
“No. Rich is not sick,” Tony sighs and mumbles to himself.
I tilt my head. “Are you counting?”
“Yes. I’m counting to ten. The two of you are like talking to brick walls.”
“Never mind. I’m out.” I turn on my heel .
“Chloe, stop. I’m sorry, but you and Rich are frustrating the fuck out of me.”
Why is Tony irritated with Rich? Stop. That’s not any of my business. “Fine. Tony. I accept your apology.”
“You’re breaking his heart.”
My mouth drops as all the muscles in my body tense. “What do you mean?”
“Chloe, Rich thinks he’s not good enough for you. And I’m afraid he’ll never tell you how he feels. I can’t stand to watch him beat himself up over it.”
“Rich is a wonderful guy. Why would he think he’s not good enough for me?”
“Because you’re sweet and gentle, and he’s rough and…” Tony flushes. “You know – rough.”
“Shit.” My body feels like a volcano is erupting inside of it. Oh my God, this is so humiliating. “He told you?”
He grabs my hands. “Don’t be mad at him. He hates himself over how he treated you, and he thinks you’ll never forgive him. ”
I shake my head. “There’s nothing to forgive. I wouldn’t have been there if I didn’t want to be.”
Tony smiles. “You want to get him back?”
“Of course.” My heart skips a beat as the weight eases from my chest.