Page 49 of The Has-Been

I see her blonde hair fluttering around her as she trails behind him.

What in the actual hell is going on?

A chill creeps over me.

Oh no. No. No. No.

Tell me he isn’t fucking stupid enough to be caught messing around with her? No way, he knows I’d kill him for it.

Reid stops cold. Throws his hands up. Is he blushing?

Not a chance. Morgan Reid doesn’t get flustered.

“Hey, Liam!” Reese greets. But I ignore her, too busy staring at my best friend, who has a lot of explaining to do.

“Who in the hell are Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy?” I ask.

Reese and Aubrey look at each other before throwing their heads back in laughter, and I feel like I am missing the butt of an inside joke. But a stone-faced Reid sags his shoulders, looking far too defeated for someone who just played one hell of an opening game.

“Wait…Am I Mr. Darcy?” Reid questions as he turns to Aubrey, looking as lost in the joke as I am.

Reese and Aubrey nod in unison.

And I hope one of them explains—and quickly.

CHAPTER 9

HIGHLIGHTER

AUBREY

“You’re flunking English Lit?” Liam exclaims. His head swivels like an owl, moving from one person to the next.

The four of us are spread out in the living room as we all update Liam on Reid’s English Literature issue and Reese’s lack of a referral.

After, Reid asks, “Can someone please explain who Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are?”

I snort. They are really making Reese work for this recommendation—Reid’s never going to pass if he doesn’t even know who one of the most infamous couples in literature is.

“Good Lord, the team is really screwed,” Reese exclaims. “Pride and Prejudice—you know, the classic novel by Jane Austen! They’re the main fucking characters!” Reese finishes as she tosses her hands in the air.

Since when does she cuss? That’s new.

Reese runs a hand down her face. Pride and Prejudice is her favorite novel, so I know it’s killing her that Liam and Reid aren’t catching on.

Reid points to her, “Hey! I’m not stupid—I know it’s a book, thank you very much!” Reese rolls her eyes, hands over her chest. Liam side eyes me, and I know we are thinking the same thing: how the hell do these two get any studying done? They can’t stop bickering, let alone have a cordial conversation.

“Oh, well, look! Maybe you haven’t taken one too many high sticks to the head!” Reese exclaims.

Reid grins, his dimples pressed deep in his cheeks. “High sticking? I love it when you talk hockey to me.”

Bile climbs up my throat. Suddenly, I don’t feel the best because…

What the fuck did he just say to her?

“But—” Liam starts, clearly still in shock to learn his best friend is flunking a class. “Let’s back up a bit here—I thought you were, like, a genius?” Liam questions, staring at his friend.

“Athletic.” Reid flexes. “Good looks.” He points to his face. “Brains.” He taps the beanie covering his head. Does he ever take that fucking thing off? “A true hat trick.”