She pulls out her phone, and she gives me a wide, too perfect smile. “It’s Honey’s birthday next week, and I’m organizing a surprise party for her. It’s nothing huge, just a few close friends at my place. I thought you’d want to be there.”
I pause, my guard dropping slightly. Honey’s birthday. I want to be there for that. Especially since I had something special planned for her myself.
“Yeah. I want to be there.” Even if it’s just to make sure she and Chris don’t do anything shady.
“Fantastic.” Jenni smiles. “Do you think you’d be able to help coordinate too?”
“Coordinate?”
She flits her hand in the air. “You know, just things like how we get her there without her knowing, and maybe some information on her favorite things.”
“Sure,” I drawl. “When are you planning this?”
“For next Friday at 7 p.m.”
“That works. My next game isn’t until Saturday.”
“Perfect.” Then she holds up her phone expectantly. “Can I have your number so I can coordinate everything?”
Every instinct tells me not to give this girl my number, but it’s for Honey’s birthday. I can’t be known as the asshole boyfriend who ruined her surprise.
Reluctantly, I pull out my phone. “Here, just put your number in and I’ll text you.”
I hand over my phone and Jenni’s eyes immediately land on my lock screen. It’s a photo of Honey and me from our trip to the lake last summer. Honey’s eyes are closed, her hair is wet, butthere’s a beaming smile on her face because I’m kissing her on the cheek.
“Aw,” Jenni coos, her smile stretching wider. “That’s so cute. You two look really happy there.”
She angles the phone, so my face unlocks it and quickly navigates to my contacts. I watch as she adds her information, then calls her own number, making her phone buzz in her pocket.
“Perfect,” she says, handing my phone back with a satisfied smirk. “Now we have each other’s numbers. I’ll text you all the details about the party.”
“Great,” I say curtly. “I’ll be there.”
Jenni tucks her phone away, then her expression shifts to one of concern. “I'm really glad we're doing this for her. She's been having such a tough time lately.”
That catches my attention. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you know.” She glances around, then leans closer, lowering her voice. “Those people at the firm are brutal to her,” Jenni continues, watching my reaction closely. “Did you hear the shit her father’s partner said to her this morning?”
My jaw clenches. “No.” I hate admitting it, but the need to know so I can protect Honey is too strong for me to ignore.
“Figures,” Jenni says with an air of confidence that makes me instantly suspicious. She leans closer, lowering her voice. “She’s told me she doesn't like to burden you with her problems. Especially when you've got so much on your plate with football.”
“What did they say?”
“Who?”
“Cut the crap. What did the partner say?”
“Oh, you know.” She flits her hand in the air, looking anywhere but me. “Something about her being a consolation prize. Apparently, everyone thinks the only reason she’s there is because they couldn’t get her ex to fill the role.”
Fuck.
The partner must’ve been Jamie’s father, and I know hearing that would’ve hurt Honey badly. What hurts more though is the fact that she didn’t fucking tell me about it.
My fists clench, my teeth grind. I’m ready to punch a hole through the plexiglass out of sheer frustration. I knew it. I knew they were going to be dicks to her, and yet, she’s been all smiles with me, pretending she’s happy.
“Here we go!” Honey's voice breaks through my thoughts as she returns with drinks balanced precariously in her arms. “Water for Zach, Diet Coke for Jenni, and hot chocolate for me.”