Chapter 7
Seven
Tedi
I down the rest of my drink and place it on the bar, acting as if his teammates aren’t slyly looking at me the entire time. I slip down from the stool and point at the door to a back room I noticed earlier.
“In there?” I ask Ruby.
She nods, opening a water bottle and handing it to Rowan Landry.
Without glancing at Tweetie, I walk across the bar and into the back room that has a large round table along with some smaller tables for two on the wall, giant televisions, a dartboard, and a pinball machine. I don’t bother turning around when the door clicks shut behind me.
“You look good.”
I clench my jaw, gather my confidence, and circle around. “You always were an ass man.”
“When it came to you, I was an everything man.” His eyes dip to my chest.
Why does he have to be better-looking than when I first fell for him? It’s so unfair how men become more handsome as they get older.
“You can tone down the flirting. Save that for your next victim.”
He widens his stance, crosses his arms, and chuckles. “Victim? I don’t remember you screaming for help when you were under me…” He cocks his head. “Or over me for that matter.” He shrugs.
“Listen, I’m sure you’ve gotten wind as to why I’m here.”
He saunters over to the table and slides a chair out for me before taking the one next to it. Is he delusional? I’m not going to sit that close to him. So I leave one chair between us, and he laughs. “Damn, I almost forgot how stubborn you were.”
“Almost?”
He lifts one shoulder. “You’re hard to forget.”
I inhale what I hope is a cleansing breath. “Let’s just get this over with. Who knows about us here?” I lean back and cross my arms.
“And what if I said no one?”
I roll my eyes. Games. Always fucking games with Tweetie. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”
He chuckles, but it’s not a real laugh. He finds no enjoyment from my words. His forearms fall to the table, and he slides his chair closer. “You know I’m a private kinda guy.”
“Really? Because from what I hear, you like to share your privates with a lot of people. Women specifically.”
That damn smirk that annoys me and turns me on all at once creases his lips. “You know how good that certain part of my body is. It would be a tragedy not to share.”
I try not to outwardly show my irritation or jealousy. “Enough of the games. I’m here to sell tickets, ad spots, and merch so the league can afford to keep you all playing. You do know the oldest players go first, right?”
His smirk falls, and I don’t feel an ounce of satisfaction because of it. “Throwing shots? That’s how you want this to play out?”
“Just…” I hate that he can get me so flustered. This isn’t a good sign for what’s going to happen tomorrow when I’m trying to get all his teammates to respect me. “I want to be prepared. Who knows about our past?”
He turns away from me for a second before his eyes meet mine again. “The three guys out there.”
“That’s it?”
He nods.
“Coach Buford?”
He shakes his head. “Not really. I told him I know you through Aiden.”
“Then I’m sure you can make some kind of deal with those three to keep their mouths shut.”
He chuckles again, leaning back in his chair. Using his foot, he slides the chair between us out of the way. “Why would I do that? I’m not ashamed that you’re my ex.”
My mouth sours at the word ex. There was a time I thought I’d be his forever. “So, you want everyone to know you’re not against monogamy? You want to answer questions about what happened between us and who broke whose heart and?—”
“Fucking hell,” he says and runs his hands through his chin-length hair. “You know I don’t like my personal shit everywhere.”
“Neither do I, so how about you turn off the persona you use to make everyone think you’re someone you’re not, and let’s just have some real talk?”
His eyes bore into mine, and I blink, the intensity in his gaze unnerving.
The door opens, and Ruby stands there with two drinks. “You’ve been in here so long I thought your mouths must be going dry.” She places another rum and Coke in front of me and a beer in front of Tweetie.
She squeezes Tweetie’s shoulder and leaves after we both murmur our thanks.
He eyes my drink but doesn’t say anything. “The guys won’t tell anyone.”
“Good. This job is really important to me, so I’d appreciate their discretion. Tomorrow when they introduce us, act like you’ve never met me, and I’ll do the same.”
His jaw hardens, but he doesn’t argue. “Fine.” He tips back his beer. “Is that all?”
I sip my drink and stand. “Yeah.”
“You didn’t have to ambush me. You could’ve called me.”
“I don’t have your number,” I say, heading toward the door.
“I never changed it.”
“I don’t have it because I deleted it.” My hand lands on the doorknob, and I remain there with my back to him.
He huffs, and the chair skids along the floor as he stands. “You really think we can do this?” I hear him walk over to me, and I really wish I had my drink to coat my dry throat.
“Do what?”
“Coexist? See each other and not touch each other?” I don’t have to be facing him to know that his gaze roams down my body again. “You still…”
He leans forward, caging me between the door and his body. I hear him inhale, smelling me, and goose bumps travel up my arms.
“We just need to be professional and keep our distance,” I mumble, too affected by his chest along my back.
Goddamn it, Tedi, move!
“That’s the problem, though. You’re the one thing that ruins my self-control. You’re the one person I can never stay away from.” He slides my hand off the doorknob.
“You’ve done it for three years, you can do it for the rest of the season. Goodbye, Tweetie.” I open the door and bolt.
Four sets of eyes turn in my direction before looking over my shoulder at Tweetie.
“Boys,” I say. “Thank you, Ruby.” I nod, walking across the bar to the door, trying to keep my steps even so it doesn’t appear as though I’m rushing.
As soon as I’m outside, I keep walking until I turn a corner, then I press my back to the brick wall, close my eyes, and inhale deeply. I pull my phone out of my purse, dialing Saige.
She answers on the first ring. “How did it go?”
“Not good. I need to figure out a plan and fast.”
“I knew it was going to be hard on you, but I was thinking, how can we make sure he knows you’re off-limits?”
I laugh, look to my left, and start walking as far as I can away from him. “I am off-limits.”
She scoffs.
“What was that for?”
“You know when Tweetie is involved, you lose all your willpower. It’s okay. I’d be the same with Aiden.”
“He’s your husband,” I say.
“I meant if we had your type of relationship.”
“Okay, I’m going to hang up now. I feel very insulted.”
“Come on. You know I’m right. Anyway, you need a man in your life.” I hear a child screaming in the background.
“Thanks. You make me feel so good, bestie.”
“That’s not what I meant. Hold on.” The receiver is muffled, but I still hear her arguing with her two girls about something. “Okay, I’m back. I mean, you need to find a boyfriend and make it seem serious.”
Her idea isn’t horrible, but where am I going to find a guy? I can’t pick up some random on the street.
There’s another scream. “Sorry, I have to go, but think about it. Plus, maybe it will help you finally get over Tweetie.”
I want to tell her that based on the reaction he just got from me, I’m probably going to want him on my deathbed. “All right. Go.”
“I’ll call you later.” Another muffled sound. “Girls!” she screams. “You got this. If there’s anyone who can do this, it’s you.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence. Now go handle your shit.”
She laughs. “Bye. Love you.”
“Love you.”
I end the call and people-watch for a minute, wondering if all of these people have their lives figured out. No way I’m the only screw-up.