18. Chapter 15
Sloan
“You have got to be fucking kidding. What do you mean I have to have all of my interviews approved by you?” I yell at Tanner over the phone. He’s on speaker so I can scroll back through the email he just sent me. I’m in complete disbelief.
“Jax is overtaking your spotlight. It’s best for your career, Sloan. That way you don’t have to say no to Horner when it comes to certain players. I will.” His tone is condescending, even though his words seem supportive. I know better.
“Don’t give me that shit, Tanner. You saw him and I together, and that was all it took for you to feel like you needed to intervene.”
“Grow up, Sloan. This is my job,” he spits back.
“Technically, it’s Ali’s job.”
“No.” That one word is direct. “She’s a junior producer. I’m her boss too. End of discussion.”
He hangs up, like a father scolding his child, and I push all the papers on my desk onto the floor, slightly satisfied when I hear the sound of them hitting the hardwood.
Frustrated and needing to vent, I pick up the phone and shoot off a text.
Me: I’m going to Base & Bean for a coffee and then walking up the pier. Meet me there in 10 minutes if you’d like to join me.
I immediately send another text, not liking how direct I sound.
Me: I really need a friend.
I put my phone in the pocket of my leggings, throw on a sweater, and head out the door.
I feel the vibration of my phone buzzing against my leg twice on my walk to the small coffee shop. I said 10 minutes, but the truth is, I’ll be there in less than 3. I can see Main Street and Base & Bean from my house.
Mango Bay is a small town, with a solid two blocks between my house and the main street on the beach leading to the pier. Lucky for me, I live on the edge of the small park right in the middle of town, so there is nothing obstructing my view of the beautiful view.
It’s the main reason I moved here. I don’t need to put miles on my classic car, or have a daily commuter. My daddy always insisted it shouldn’t be a daily driver.
I turn the corner onto Main Street and feel the burn on my thighs as I make my way up the San Francisco style street to Base & Bean.
I open the door, and the smell of coffee fills my senses and instantly calms my nerves. The other thing that calms my nerves: Jax walking toward me with a cup of coffee and a mango scone in hand.
“I was already here when you texted.” His smile is intoxicating.
“Thanks.” Our fingers brush as he hands me my coffee, and it sends the same familiar butterflies through me. “Are you busy today?”
“I am now,” he offers. “Do you want to sit here for a bit, or go for a walk?”
“Let’s walk. I’m too pissed to sit.”
He places his hand on the small of my back and leads me out the door.
“What happened?” He doesn’t waste any time. I could tell by the tight line between his brows when I walked in he’s concerned.
I take a sip of my coffee and close my eyes, taking in the rich vanilla, cinnamon flavor. “This is so good. One of my favorite lattes on the menu,” I say, unable to respond to his question with these flavors filling my mouth.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked, and when you didn’t text back, I figured it was a safe option.” He starts laughing and then corrects himself before I can even respond. “Ok. That’s not true. I asked Arabella what you usually get.”
“Yeah, sorry. I felt the text but was worried it might be Tanner.”
I look up at him as we walk, and then he playfully bumps me on the shoulder with his side trying to gently remind me of his question.
“Tanner emailed to inform me I have to have all interviews approved by him moving forward. He said you’re stealing the spotlight.” I roll my eyes. I mean, yes, I felt that way too, but it sounds stupid hearing it come from him.
“Hmm.” Is all he says for a moment, pausing before he adds, “I think he’s right, Sloan.” His response surprises me.
“What?” I stop walking and spin towards him, my shock having me at a loss for more words.
He takes a sip of his own coffee and then points to a bench on the sidewalk, signaling for me to sit down.
“He’s not trying to protect you. He’s trying to protect himself.
If you get overshadowed and the show loses ratings, it hurts his pocket.
His bottom line. But based on all the videos I’ve seen, he’s right.
You need to reestablish your brand and interview some players that can help you shine, not take the spotlight. ”
He brushes a hair behind my ear.
“You have a fanbase that followed you from the field to the camera, but the more you interview players like me and Ozzie, our fanbase takes over the mix. I’m not saying never interview us, but let me at least take a step back so your fans can see you shine.”
“That’s stupid, Jax. You are not making yourself smaller for me.”
He moves in closer, so his breath is on my lips. “Nothing about me is getting smaller, Sloan.” He winks, trying to lighten the mood, and I push him away with a laugh, but he grabs my hand and pulls me close to him, using his other hand to steady us on the bench as our lips crash.
It’s urgent, and as his fingers tangle in my ponytail, he pulls it slightly so I open further for him, my breath hitches.
He moves closer and takes that moment as an opportunity to slide his tongue into my mouth. It meets mine, and they both dance with a fury and urgency I have never felt.
I don’t want him to stop. I want him closer. I want him to devour me. I want him to take everything I have to give at this moment.
He does. He moves from my lips to the column of my throat, trailing soft bites over my skin, making me shudder.
“You taste so fucking good,” he whispers in my ear before returning to my lips.
I can’t breathe, can’t focus. He’s going to unravel any resolve I have left.
That’s clear by the way I tug his hair and wrap my leg around him.
We kiss like this until we are both out of breath and my lips sting from the stubble on his face.
After a beat, he places a kiss on my nose, his forehead against mine.
“I wasn’t missing another opportunity to taste you.”
“Hhhhh,” I exhale. “That was… um… Wow.”
I can’t find my words and my lungs are tight. If this is what kissing Jax Calder is like, I don’t want it to ever stop.