Free Losing to Win by Michele Grant Page B

“Dude, not on camera.” I swung the door shut with a loud click and answered the phone. “Rissa, is everything okay?”
    â€œNot so much. I assume you also have a camera in your face at this ungodly hour in the damn morning?” She sounded irritated, agitated, and unrested. Her Southern accent was more pronounced this early. Her voice sounded like spiced whiskey. I had to concentrate on what she’d just asked me.
    â€œI just slammed the bathroom door shut on it. Even I have my limits.”
    â€œDid you know about this dormitory situation?”
    â€œI did not.” I dropped the towel and pulled on a pair of black boxer briefs. Turning sideways, I checked myself out in the mirror. The last forty pounds were not going easy. I was still a ways from football shape. I shifted the phone to my other hand and popped the top on the lotion. Just because it was early as hell was no excuse to be ashy.
    â€œMal, if I ask you something, will you answer me honestly?”
    The fact that she felt she even had to ask told me how far into disrepair our relationship had truly fallen. “I will.”
    â€œIf I back out of this thing, will you be okay? I mean, for your comeback and everything? I don’t want to mess you up, but I’m not so sure I’m feeling this.”
    I closed my eyes. I knew she wasn’t comfortable with this. But I didn’t realize she was absolutely hating it. We were only on Day One. If she wanted out, I couldn’t stand in her way. I’d done enough. “Ris, if you want out, walk away. I’ll back you up. It’s not a problem. Really.”
    She expelled a deep breath. “What about your tryout?”
    I stepped into thin black sweatpants and pulled an LSU T-shirt over my head before I answered. “Babe, they’ll either give me a shot or they won’t. You’ve given up enough for me. If you’re this unhappy before we even get started on Day One, it’s not worth it. I’ll make it work.”
    â€œThanks, Mal. I’m tempted. So very, very tempted. But too many people are counting on me, counting on this show—the money, the exposure. I can’t back out now. Promise me we are not going to do anything cringe worthy in front of America?”
    Might as well speak true. “Not sure I can keep that promise. Even at our best, we could get a little rowdy together.”
    She huffed out a laugh. “Look at you being all honest this early in the morning.”
    I sat down on the toilet seat to pull on my socks. “Too damn early to sugarcoat.”
    She sighed. “This is already a pain in the ass.”
    â€œA huge pain in the ass.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll quit whining. See you at the dorm.”
    For some reason, I wasn’t ready to stop talking to her. “Ris?”
    â€œYeah?” she answered tentatively.
    â€œAre we friends again?”
    She stayed silent a long time. “Sure, Mal. We’re friends.”
    â€œWith benefits?” I couldn’t help but add.
    She choked on a soft laugh. “Don’t push it.”
    I grinned. “Can’t blame a brother for trying.”
    â€œSure I can.”
    I’d gotten this far, so I decided to push a little more. “Do we need to talk about what almost happened yesterday?”
    â€œNo, we absolutely do not.”
    I laughed. “Denial?”
    â€œRefusal.”
    â€œAt least admit we have a few loose ends to tie up.”
    â€œProbably more than a few. You are right about one thing, though.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œIt’s way too early for this.” She hung up abruptly.
    I grinned again and slid the phone into my side pocket. I swung the door open to find Ren outside the door and DeMarcus next to him. “Did you seriously just tape a closed-door conversation from outside the bathroom door?”
    He nodded unapologetically.
    â€œSo not cool. We’re going to have to set some