Page 31 of Offensive Plays

Leaving me alone again, I open the app. LeaveHerWild had porcelain skin, like Libby. She lived in a similar home to Libby. She was at the Breakaway with friends, like Libby.

I open my emails and type out a message to my software supervisor.

Barry, I need you to look into an account for me.

Screen name: LeaveHerWild

Stat.

-Michael

The milk on the stove starts bubbling and I quickly move it off the flames to keep it from boiling over.

I look back and Libby is still nowhere in sight.

If she is LeaveHerWild...then I'm so screwed.

We've been quietly sipping our hot chocolate in front of the fire.

Libby would say something. I reason. She's not a quiet girl.

But if she found out it was me and deliberately decided to not show up. Then why would she invite me in?

"So..." I say at the same time she says, "Do you.."

"Go ahead," I tell her.

"You first," she insists.

"What were you going to say?"

"You first," she says, bringing the mug to her lap and shooting me daggers.

"I was going to say… so how do you feel about your best friend marrying your brother?”

She licks her lips before she answers and the motion draws my full attention to the softness of them.

"I'm happy for them. Like, really happy. I've known they were into each other since the day they met."

"Would you ever date a hockey player?" I ask her out of nowhere.

"No," she says plainly. "Which is why everyone thought it was so funny I went to a date-a-player charity auction and actually bid on you."

"Next to Landry, you gave me the highest bid."

She shrugs.

"What did Jonah do, Libby?" My brother's words from earlier in the night swirling through my head. "He's still caught up on you."

"What do you mean?" she says, her eyes shooting up at me.

"I just mean...he's made some comments."

"Like?" she presses.

"He said you're the hottest girl around."

Her nose scrunches in disgust. "Why would he say that?"