“I love you, too,” she said, and it was almost a whisper.
I felt a surge of happiness rush through my body, and I never thought I would ever feel the urge to jump for joy. It wanted to be near her immediately. It almost felt like we needed to consummate this moment.
“I want to be with you,” I said.
“Me, too,” Megan said. “If you’d just waited to tell me this, then we would have been together.”
I laughed. “Point taken.” I nodded. “I will make it up to you.”
“Oh, yeah?” Megan asked. “How?”
“With sexual favors,” I responded.
She laughed. “Sounds like a fair trade,” she said. “I might just have to return the favor.”
“I’m counting on it,” I said.
We hung up a few minutes later, and I set off to the court to meet Brent. I was surrounded in a fog of happiness and not even Brent’s sarcastic quip about my lateness soured me. We played a couple of rounds and then we took a break on the benches to drink some water and cool down a little.
I noticed that Brent wasn’t as talkative as he normally was, which was weird given that he was the one that wanted to meet today. I watched him closely for signs that he might be high, but he seemed completely sober to me, just a little moody and withdrawn.
“So, how’s your business going, man?” I asked, hoping to sound casual.
“Now you ask?” Brent said, with an edge to his tone.
I raised my eyebrows. “I’ve asked about it before.”
“Like once,” he complained. “In passing, so it doesn’t count. And, I could tell you weren’t interested in listening, anyway.”
“That’s not fair.”
“All you seem to be interested in lately is fucking my sister.”
“Hey, now…”
“It’s true.”
“In case you’ve forgotten, I happen to have a full-time job with crazy hours,” I pointed out. “I barely sleep during the week and when I do get a day off, yeah… I like to spend it with my girlfriend. Is that a crime?”
“She’s got you so whipped,” Brent said, and I could tell he was trying to get a rise out of me.
“I know for a guy like you that’s an insult,” I said calmly. “But I couldn’t care less what you think of me. I’m confident in myself and my relationship with Megan, and I’m not going to let you make me feel bad about either one.”
“Oh, of course,” Brent said mockingly. “Because nothing can get to the confident Phil Roberts. He’s the only one capable of turning his life around and making something of himself.”
I frowned. “Excuse me?”
“Nothing,” he mumbled.
“Is that what all this hostility is about?” I asked. “You’re jealous that I’ve bettered myself? Because if that is the case, then maybe you should grow the fuck up and start taking responsibility for some of your life choices.”
“Meaning what?”
“Quit smoking so much pot and get yourself a fucking job.”
“I have a business,” he said vehemently.
“Please,” I said, rolling my eyes.