Chapter 21
CHARLOTTE
Byron and Giana’s home offers a panoramic view of the sprawling light of LA to the ocean, and I always enjoy coming here. It inspired me to buy my home in Bel Air.
I came here straight from the office and still in my white suit. Taking a glass of wine with me, I head outside.
Zara comes to stand beside me, and like me, she is wearing a navy business skirt and jacket. “Do you know why we’re here?”
I shake my head. “Not a clue. Is Jobe still in London?”
“Yeah, he returns Sunday night.”
Penny and Franklin arrive, and Summer runs ahead of them, wearing a pretty pink dress.
My mother scoops Summer into her arms. My father picks up Carson Jr. who toddles behind.
Dad takes him to Byron, who is sitting on the ground, playing with his son, Leo.
I watch them play happy families together and laugh as Byron scoops Leo into his arms and chases after Summer in a game of tag.
When Byron catches Summer, she screams in a high pitch.
“My God.” Zara cowers and covers her ears. “That girl has a set of lungs on her.”
I laugh. “So does Carson Jr.”
Byron jogs into the kitchen and takes Giana’s hand, leading her out to the covered area overlooking the pool. He presses a button, and a large television screen emerges from the other side of the infinity pool. “That’s new,” I tell Zara.
“Summer, do you want to watch Bluey?”
“What’s Bluey?” I ask.
“An animated television series about a dog Down Under. It’s worth checking out,” Byron says enthusiastically, not realizing he has triggered me just by mentioning the words Down Under.
“I’m not into children’s shows.”
“It’s actually good,” Zara whispers. “I’ve watched it with Summer. It’s the only series she sits still long enough to watch.”
The catchy introduction gains our attention until Byron gathers us in a circle.
He takes Giana’s hand. “Thank you all for joining Gigi and me tonight.” He lifts her hand and kisses it.
“Now that the children are distracted, we can share our news. We wanted you to hear it from us when you were all together.” He smiles at Giana and nods for her to continue.
“We’re excited to announce I’m sixteen weeks pregnant with our second child.” As soon as she finishes the last word, Byron picks her up in the air and swings her around.”
My family all cheer, and I am very happy for them. I point my wine glass to him. “I’m glad the baby is due after finals.” I know their lives are not centered around basketball, like mine, but player happiness and focus are my business, especially with the team so close to being in the playoffs.
“Yeah. And we didn’t even plan it that way,” Giana says and smiles. “It’s funny how things fall into place.”
For some.
Another home game win.
While Brandon didn’t score many points, he outplayed the opposition with his fancy passing and ball skills and set up his teammates to score which resulted in two players having a PB in a single game score.
I kept hearing the word ‘unselfish’ as fans chatted about the game. Brandon helped Byron score an unbelievable fifty points, making him the highest scorer on the court and in this round. Byron and Brandon were constantly bumping chests and tapping backs in praise for the entire game.
It was weird.
Bypassing the locker room, I head upstairs to the VIP room.
“Looking good, Ms. Hendricks.”
“Sharks are looking unbeatable.”
“What a game.”
I smile and answer with a simple thank you as I walk by. For the next hour, I do my part and answer questions about players and the club’s future.
“Did we sign BJ for one year or two?” Jimbo asks.
“Unfortunately, one.” His face drops. “But that will change as we didn’t want to commit until we knew how he’d perform and his future plans.” Because he’s planning on returning to Australia, I think but hold my tongue.
River finds me in the crowd, and I smile. “How was Coach’s speech?”
“There wasn’t a lot he could say after a big win. Anyways, I came up here to see if you wanted to come back to mine?”
I smile at him. While I have been avoiding River, I also need to stay away from Brandon.
I’m doing everything in my power to steer this team to a championship, and I cannot let Brandon get under my skin and complicate player dynamics.
It would be easy to give in to Brandon and allow my body to have what it craves, but I’m older and wiser and understand the implications if I do.
“You don’t want to hang out with me here while I fluff over the corporate suits? ”
He laughs then leans in close. “You’re the only corporate suit I want to hang out with.”
“Well, isn’t that romantic?” I joke back.
He picks up my hand and links his fingers with mine. “Wait to see what I have planned for the rest of the evening.” River lifts my hand and kisses my knuckles like men do when they’re in love.
“River… I’m sorry. I have a busy schedule,” I whisper. “Perhaps another time.”
“Clear it.”
What? I’m about to turn away and find a sponsor to talk with when Brandon walks through the doors. He sees me and smiles, making his way toward me.
No, no, no.
“On second thought, these suits can wait.” I smile up at River. “What do you have in mind?”
He tightens a grip on my hand and walks a step ahead as though he’s claiming me and leading me away.
Brandon stands two deep away from us. Keeping my eyes forward, I follow River toward the door.
Every step seems to slow as I see Brandon out of the corner of my eye, watching me being led away by River, far away from him, before he breaks my heart again.