Chapter 11 #3
“Oh my god! That’s so exciting. So, if for some horrible reason it doesn’t work out, at least we know you’re interested in dating.
I can already think of a handful of single guys who would kill to date you, babe.
You are one hot doc,” Navy tells me, and despite being scared shitless about putting myself out there again, it makes me excited knowing I now have people in my life who will be equally excited for me.
I have friends now. Go me!
“Sooo, where’s this guy taking you?” Kodi asks.
I laugh because the irony is pretty funny.
“Here, actually. When he texted me suggesting Boone, I knew it had to be a well-loved place since you girls insisted we come, too.” I hold up my BBQ smokehouse burger with quite possibly the best grilled veggies and sauce I’ve ever had on it, and say, “I can confirm. This might just be my new favorite spot.”
“Nothing beats the food. Crew made sure of that when they opened.”
I halt my devouring, eyes staring blankly at Kodi. “I’m sorry, did you say Crew?”
Navy and Tenley share a look. “Well, yeah. It’s his restaurant.”
There’s no way…
I set my burger down, fully invested in the trajectory of this conversation. “Crew Briggs owns Boone? The restaurant? Same one I’m sitting in right now, inhaling the entire menu like it’s my full-time job?”
Their laughter builds. “The one and only,” Navy says, a bright smile beaming against the paleness of her skin and red color of her hair.
“Holy hell,” I huff. “He told me he had a delivery coming, and I guess I just thought maybe he knew the owner or worked the bar every now and then. Never that he owned the building.”
“He built it from the ground up. Part of the reason his time with Addie has always been so limited. The guy is a hustler and, unfortunately, has too many eggs in one basket. Or whatever that saying is,” Kodi tells me.
So much for getting over my little obsession with him. Leave it to me to move to Atlanta and fall madly in love with the food at a restaurant owned by the one man I can’t have.
I need to deflect or they’ll catch on to my panic. “Cool. Cool. Big accomplishment. Love that for him.”
“Is that going to be an issue for you, Juniper?” Tenley questions me, and I know she isn’t stupid. Crew’s silence in the car the night we headed to Dirty Bingo was a dead giveaway. Not that he had any reason to be awkward, but he sure enough took it there anyway.
I wave them off, poorly attempting to hide my face.
I feel the blush creeping up my neck to my cheeks, and it’s not a good look.
Not when there’s no me and Crew. Never will be, either.
“An issue? Not at all. In fact, I’m thrilled.
It’ll be nice to know someone in case I need to dine and dash, ya know? ”
None of them seems convinced. In fact, maybe it’s their established friendship telepathy, but there’s something neither of them is saying. And I’d argue over that being normal until hell freezes over.
“Great then,” Tenley announces. “He’s tending the bar Saturday night, anyway, so you’ll have all the moral support you could need.”
Son of a bitch. How am I supposed to focus on my date when sexy Suburban Daddy is close by?
“Amazing,” I lie. “How does he even have time to do it all?”
“He doesn’t. That’s the problem. Crew and Hil switch off weeks, and thankfully, they have Addie’s nanny, Vanna, who’s been a godsend when they both work. It’s just difficult all around, likely why retirement makes the most sense for him to get some consistency back in his life.”
Again, I’m reminded of how much Crew really does have going on. That’s a lot for one person to carry on their own.
“Well, for his and Addie’s sake, I really hope everything works out for them. That little girl loves him so much. I can tell.”
“She’s the cutest thing ever. Pretty sure she and Apollo will eventually get married, and she’ll boss him around until the day he dies,” Tenleys says, and Navy adds, “And he’ll love every second of it.”
“Sure will.” Tenley smiles proudly, and I’m reminded of how much I want what they have.
Love. Happiness. A family that’s mine to keep forever.
I work with children regularly, yet the biggest part of me still longs for one of my own.
I want to wear the names wife and Mom far more than I ever wanted the title of Doctor.
I’m appreciative, don’t get me wrong. I worked hard to get where I am, but my career as a physician is just a sliver of the woman I aspire to be.
“Oh, Tenley! Did Crew ever talk to you about my practice possibly being a sponsor at the event? He mentioned you were head of marketing and said he’d reach out to you. I never heard back from him on whether he actually did.”
“Oh, goodness. Yes! He did reach out; I was just in the middle of a PR nightmare from hell and forgot to respond. We would absolutely love to have you sponsor the event. Was there a certain amount you’d like to give, or did you want to just decide later?”
“I was thinking around…twenty thousand?”
“Twenty. Thousand. As in dollars and not pennies?” Tenley deadpans.
Navy and Kodi make a sad attempt at whispering quietly. “Yeah. I’ve saved over the years and make decent money. It’s important to me to give back. Truly, the least I can do.”
“Junie!” the girls squeal, and I won’t admit how my heart bursts hearing the nickname I earned. “You might just be the kindest person we’ve ever met,” Navy says proudly. “How did we get so lucky to find her?” She swivels her head, asking Tenley and Kodi.
“No clue, but she’s stuck with us now,” Tenley proclaims, and I couldn’t be happier to be claimed.
“Don’t forget, sponsors get first dibs at the player auction. Make a wise choice, Junie girl.” Navy points a finger at me, and I take that as her way of saying don’t fuck with Bodhi. I would never.
“What player auction?” I ask, thinking back to my chat with Crew. I don’t remember him ever mentioning anything about an auction. Fundraiser at a roller-skating rink? Yes. But an auction…
“Oh, Crew didn’t mention it?” Tenley asks at the same time Navy says, “Of course he didn’t.” Her tone is mischievous, and I fear I should be worried.
“Settle down, Inspector Gadget one and two,” Kodi chimes in before turning to me. “Makers Park is hosting a player auction as part of an incentive to sponsors and attendees. The funds you plan to donate will be used to bid on a Strikers player.”
“All of them?” I ask, wondering why they would agree to having their husbands pimped out.
“Yup,” Kodi says. “All the married guys have stipulations on them, of course. They’ll more so be used for work or offering special treatment at season games. It’s a sacrifice for Headspeed, but they’re all excited to be a part of it.”
“And what about the players who aren’t married?”
A sly smile finds Kodi’s face. “Well, my dear Juniper, that’s entirely up to you.”
Oh, this is not good. Not good at all.
I never would have volunteered to be there in person as a sponsor had I known. I could have simply mailed in a check and called it a day.
Always the overachiever, Juniper.
“I didn’t even know this was a thing. Are you sure participating is something that’s required by the sponsors?”
Tenley laughs, taking a bite of a chip like she’s having far too much fun mentally tormenting me.
I won’t admit to said torment, though. “It’s what builds the hype.
Watching sponsors bid and be excited to contribute cultivates a response from the attendees, which, in turn, urges them to donate and do the same.
Honestly, I think the player aspect is a major perk.
Need some heavy lifting done in that fancy new house?
Or looking for a sugar daddy to share all life’s problems with over wine and caviar?
Take your pick of a Strikers hottie. Single hottie,” she clarifies.
“Too far, Ten. Too far,” Kodi exhales.
“Maybe so, but remember how beneficial this could be for your practice, too, Juniper. You just took over after Atlanta’s most beloved pediatrician retired.
Those are some pretty big shoes to fill.
Not that you aren’t capable, but the people will go nuts to see you giving back and getting to know your community,” Tenley reminds me.
Actually…she’s not wrong. I’ve always strived to live by leading by example.
I didn’t get that growing up; my parents were always so self-consumed, so it makes me want to even more.
You can tell someone what to do until you’re blue in the face, but unless they’ve seen you actually practice what you preach, chances are, they won’t do it either.
“You’re right,” I admit, refining my confidence. “If I want to be trusted by the community, I need to show up and be present. In the big things and small things. I’ll do the auction. Count on my donation, and I’ll figure out the rest as I go, I guess. Black tie, right?”
Tenley smirks. “Formal attire in roller skates. All the other details are still in the works, so no need to stress now. We’ve still got months until the event. Jack is the one most of us are worried about. If we can’t get the old Coach back, I’m not so sure this fundraiser will even happen.”
“There’s still time,” Kodi comments.
I take a deep breath. “So many things to keep track of. Might as well jump in headfirst!” I perk myself up, laughing through my inner anxiety.
“That’s the spirit!” Navy cheers. “Now we all have an excuse to go shopping and spend some big money. Husbands’ treat!”
All eyes look to me in sympathy, and I accept my fate. “I’ll be fine. Buying my own shit is nothing out of the ordinary for me. I’m looking forward to it.”
I am. Mostly. Kind of. I’m thrilled to finally have found a way to give back, but bidding on a player when I know for certain the only player I want is Crew. And he will be one of the free picks.
Single, although preoccupied, still single.
Do I pick him and pretend it’s only because he’s familiar? Or do I step out of my comfort zone and pick someone new and exciting?
Would Crew mind? Wait. I don’t owe him a reason. We’re friends. He will be happy for me. I need to think about it. Luckily, I have months to decide.
But in the meantime, I’ve got a blind date to go on, and dreadfully, a mother to check in on.