Chapter 8
8
Anais
“We’re going shopping, huh?” Keyara asks once we’re out of earshot of Bishop.
“Sure are. I think I need a new pair of panties and a bra. Something lacy…and purple. What do you think?” I play with the ends of my hair and look around the cafeteria for a table to sit at.
“You aren’t going to give up, are you?”
“Nope. Not until he’s mine.” I look over to where he stood and see him start to walk away. “Look up, Bishop. Look up,” I whisper to myself.
And just when I think hope is lost, his eyes meet mine, causing my stomach to erupt with flutters. The look on his face tells me all I need to know.
“Girl, you’re crazy.” Keyara laughs and I have to agree.
I am crazy for Bishop Michaels. And the only cure is to have him as mine.
“Thank you for going with me. I know it wasn’t what you planned, but I really appreciate it,” I tell Keyara as we walk through Rice Village, sipping on boba teas.
“I had fun. Thanks for forcing me to come with you.” She gives me a big cheesy smile with eyes closed and teeth big and bright. “Are you sure you don’t just want Bishop to pick you up at the dorm? It seems silly to pay for an Uber when he said he’d come get you.”
I shrug and slurp down the last boba. “I know but?—,”
“But you’re gonna try and see how far you can push the poor guy before he breaks?”
“I mean, you make it sound so horrible. I’m not trying to make him break, just…realize what is in his subconscious.”
“Oh lord, that is some bullshit. But whatever you need to tell yourself to feel better about seducing the poor man.” She spots a trashcan and throws her empty cup inside and I do the same. “Okay. Well, I need to study. Barely the first week and these professors have us doing work like we’re at midterms. Be careful tonight and please don’t break that man.”
“Can’t promise anything,” I tell her, and kiss her cheek before she crosses the street to the edge of campus.
The sun is still high in the sky so I feel comfortable that she’ll make it back to our dorm safely. I pull out my phone and open my Uber app, requesting a car. Luckily one is only minutes away and in fifteen minutes, I’m walking up the stone paved driveway to Bishop’s home.
He lives in a very trendy area near campus. His home is taller than it is wide with three stories. The garage is the ground level and I move around it to the walkway that leads to his front door.
I ring the bell and wait to see his large shadow through the frosted glass door. Less than a minute passes when I finally see him. The locks click and the door is pulled wide, revealing a man that takes my breath away.
“Hey Anais,” he greets with a deep voice that sends tingles to my spine.
“Hi,” is the only response I can imagine.
My brain is on vacation at the moment as I look at this man who puts everyone out there to shame.
He’s wearing jeans and a white Wrangler t-shirt. Its sleeves are stretched to their limit over his thick, muscular arms. I look down and notice he has sneakers on, which immediately makes me sad.
“No motorcycle tonight?” I ask, remembering that he wears a pair of black steel toed boots when he rides.
“Nope. Nix would kill me if I let you on my bike, again. That was a one time only,” he says, motioning for me to come in.
I step past him and he closes the door behind me. I begin up the stairs that lead to the main living floor and look over my shoulder. “Awe, c’mon. He doesn’t need to know. It can be our secret.”
I hold his gaze and see his Adam's apple bob as he swallows. “I don’t,” he chokes out then clears his throat. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. We’ll take my truck.”
I flip my head and continue my walk up his stairs. It’s possible I put a little extra sway in my hips than is normally present. But I know he’s behind me and I just know he’s watching.
We reach the landing and I ask, “Could I change in your room? I didn’t want to wear my jersey to classes.”
“Sure. You can use the guest room down the hall. You remember where it is?” he asks me.
“Yup. Thanks. I’ll be done in just a few minutes.” I scurry off to the back bedroom and quickly get to work changing.
I peel off my leggings and oversized shirt that I wore to my early class, and step into the small athletic shorts that just barely cover my ass cheeks. Next I take out the new jersey I bought just for tonight. I button it up, leaving the bottom open, then tie the tails. My shorts rest on my hips and the jersey sits high on my waist, exposing my midsection.
I walk into the bathroom just off the bedroom and look at myself in the mirror. I don’t wear a lot of makeup normally, so it would be silly for me to put on a whole face now. Instead, I pull out my small makeup bag and swipe a little concealer under my eyes, brush a coat of mascara over my long lashes, and put on a layer of gloss.
My hair is starting to frizz from the ridiculous humidity, so I dig back into the bag and pull out my hair oil. I put just a few drops in my palm then gently run my palms over my curls to tame them.
When I’m all done, I take a few extra moments to study my appearance. I want so badly for Bishop to see me for more than just a friend. Hell, I’m not even that right now. I’m his friend's little niece, and he just can’t seem to see past that.
“Anais,” his voice calls from a distance.
I step out of the bathroom to see his back to the entry of the bedroom like he’s afraid of what he might find if he turns around.
“I’m ready,” I tell him, and he slowly moves in a circle until he faces me.
His eyes trail from my feet, up my legs, over my hips, pausing briefly on my exposed stomach and finally meeting my gaze. His jaw clenches and clicks and it’s then that I realize that he isn’t quite as unaffected as he appears to be.
He looks down at his shoes and grumbles, “We better get going,” and quickly moves down the hall, not waiting to see if I follow.
I heft my backpack on my shoulder and decide it’s best if I take it with me in case Uncle Nix wants to take me home after the game. There won’t be any arguing with him when it comes to things like that. He’ll give me the look and I’ll cave knowing that I respect him too much to argue.
I shuffle down the stairs where Bishop holds the door to the garage open for me and I pass with a soft “thank you.” He rushes past me to open the passenger door of the truck and takes my backpack from my shoulder, allowing me to climb inside.
He opens the backdoor and sets my bag down then quickly walks around to the drivers side where he slides in and cranks the engine. It’s loud and growls like an angry animal. It makes the sound that I imagine Bishop making in the heat of a lustful moment.
“How are your classes?” he asks as we back out of the driveway and onto the street.
“Um, they’re good. I was able to get the one class switched right away, so thanks for filling me in on the little secret of getting moved to the front of the line.”
The corner of his mouth twitches with the hint of a grin. “No problem. Sometimes every other request gets lost in the shuffle. Us adults tend to pay more attention when something is urgent or an emergency.”
“Us adults? Am I not an adult?” I ask, slightly annoyed with his insinuation.
“You know what I mean. You’re a new adult, still learning the ways of the world. I’m seasoned. I’ve been around the block a few times. I just know things that you’ll find out one day when you’re grown.”
I look at him with a look of something akin to smelling rotting garbage. “When I’m grown? Damn. Thanks. Guess now I know you think of me as a child.”
He opens his mouth, but I let him know I’m not in the mood to hear a lame explanation by turning my head and looking out the window.
I watch the city roll by as we maneuver in and out of the streets of downtown. I’m pouting like a child and proving Bishop’s thoughts about my maturity level to be correct. But his words cut because no matter how he may look at me, it’s clear he thinks of me as no more than a child.
We sit in silence as we near the stadium and I try to think of something to say that will wipe away the tense moments .
“Thanks for letting me tag along with you. I know I could’ve Uber’d–”
“But your uncle would have handed me my ass if you did that,” Bishop finishes my sentence. “It’s no problem. I promised both him and you that I’d be here if ever you needed anything.”
We pull into the reserved parking and I tuck my id and phone into my shorts, opting to leave my purse and backpack in the truck. I follow Bishop to the VIP entrance and we show our phones with the digital ticket and are allowed through.
When we arrive at the owners suite, boisterous laughter greets us. Stepping inside I see CeCe, her growing belly looking a little bigger each day, and Luca right by her side. He’s never too far from her and when he can’t be right next to her, his eyes are always following. Cami and Vaughan are laughing as they talk with Hayes and Cat, and Dagen sits with her nose pressed against the glass, watching the pregame action on the field.
A few other people I don’t recognize mill about, and I assume they are employees or guests. Drinks are in everyone’s hands –alcoholic and non, I assume– and they all look to be in good spirits. Heads turn and cheers ring out when they spot us.
“Ana!” Dagen shouts and comes running for me.
“Day!” I say back and hold my arms out to hug her. “How’s school going my little bestie?”
I’m sure most nineteen year old girls would be annoyed by a thirteen year old who always wanted to hang around and emulate everything they do and say, but I grew up as an only child with no cousins and Dagen has become a little sister, of sorts.
My dad is the only member of his family who decided to leave Puerto Rico when he turned eighteen. So although he does have family including nieces and nephews, we didn’t visit often enough for me to bond with them when I was younger. And now that sightings of my father are down to only a handful in a year, any relationship that I may have had with his side of the family is non-existent.
“Eh. It’s school. The only difference is the girls are meaner and the boys are dumber.” I snort out a laugh at her sassy mouth .
She may not have grown up around Vivian, but she sure does have her sassy attitude.
“Are you liking college? I bet it’s so cool. I can’t wait to go to college. I’m trying to decide if I want to go to Rice like you, or to Baylor like my mom and aunts,” she says, referring to Cami, Viv and CeCe.
“What about LSU or Florida like your dad and uncles?”
She scrunches up her nose and knits her brows. “Nah. I need to be close by in case mom and dad need me to help with the babies.”
“Babies?” I ask. “I thought your momma said they only have one baby cooking?”
“Mhm. But I already told my dad that I’m going to need more than one little brother or sister. Personally, I’d like at least two little brothers and one sister.”
“Why two brothers and only one sister?” I ask with a chuckle.
She shrugs. “I just think it’d be fun to teach the boys how to shoot and hunt and ride horses. I’m not so great at all the girly stuff, so if I had a sister, Cami could have the little girl she’s always wanted.”
“I already have the daughter I’ve always wanted,” Cami says, coming up behind Dagen, wrapping her arms and kissing the top of her head. “If this little one is a boy and if we have any more after and they’re all boys, I won’t feel like I’m missing a thing because I have you.”
Dagen cranes her neck back, looking up in Cami’s eyes and I just about sputter a sob with how completely precious this moment is.
“You two are the dang cutest.” I lean forward and hug Cami with one arm. “How are you feeling?”
Cami places one hand on her still flat stomach and says, “Ugh. Sick and hungry and tired all of the time.”
“Come whine to me when your little nugget is performing acrobatics all night long and demanding things like maple donuts and black cherry pie.” I hear CeCe’s voice behind me as she walks up to us.
“Mmm. Maple donuts and black cherry pie sound pretty darn good to me. You won’t find me complaining,” I tell her.
“You’d think, but he seems to want them all at two in the morning when there are no stores or bakeries open. That’s when it becomes a problem.”
We laugh and talk for a few more moments about their pregnancies and school for both Dagen and I. The conversation comes to a halt when CeCe perks up when a new woman steps inside the suite.
“Gabby,” she calls to the woman who looks at her and smiles. “This is one of my co-workers.”
“Hello mama,” Gabby says when she steps over to us.
“Gabby, these are my friends I’m always telling you about. This is Camille and her daughter Dagen. And this is Anais, Phoenix’s niece.” CeCe introduces us and we say our hello’s. “Stay here. I have someone else I want you to meet.”
CeCe strides away from us quickly and we’re left to make small talk.
“So you’re the famous niece,” Gabby says with a smile. “I think everyone in the ball club knows about Phoenix’s niece that he is so proud of. He talks about you to anyone who will listen.”
She smiles and it embarrasses me thinking of Phoenix walking around like a proud dad, bragging about his niece.
“Here I thought I’d have the cool uncle when I moved, but instead I ended up with an overprotective second dad,” I joke. “But he’s not so bad.”
Cami smiles and opens her mouth to add something but is cut short by CeCe.
“Gabby. This is Bishop. I’ve been wanting to introduce you two for so long.”
Bishop steps up next to her and smiles. “Hi Gabby. Nice to meet you. CeCe has told me so much about you.”
Gabby shakes his hand and smiles, her cheeks tinging pink. “Same.”
My teeth gnash together and I grind them with fury. She looks at him like I do, but what really bothers me is that he doesn’t look at me the way he is looking at her.
The game starts and everyone wanders between watching the game and talking. My chest hurts as I watch them talk and laugh throughout the game. My heart tries to leap from my chest and plop itself onto the floor and crawl under my shoe. I feel a loss and also a bit of betrayal from CeCe seeing as she is obviously setting them up on a date.
Speaking of Cece.
“So what do you think?” she asks Cami.
“They seem like they’re hitting it off. But I thought you said you wanted to introduce him to Melina from accounting?”
I gulp down my anger at hearing another woman's name.
“I plan to if this doesn’t work out. Gabby has been asking about him since she saw him at last year's World Series party. Girls been sweating him ever since that night,” CeCe explains.
My nerves have had enough so I get up to get myself a soda and of course –because FML– I have to pass Bishop who stands talking with Gabby.
“I’m a huge concert junkie. I saw almost everyone who came to the rodeo this year,” Gabby tells him.
“I wish I could go to the rodeo more, but it’s right at the official start of the season, so I rarely get away from the field until at least June. Then I get a couple months rest before we’re back at it.”
“Excuse me,” I clip as I try to move past them to grab a drink.
I’d give anything to make this soda a bottle of tequila right now.
“Ope. Sorry. I didn’t mean to stand right in front of it,” Gabby says, genuinely. “Anais. Bishop was just telling me you want to become a writer.”
My head whips from Gabby to Bishop, wondering how he knew that as I’ve never told him.
“Uh, yeah. That’s the plan,” I tell her, wiping the soda off with a napkin before attempting to crack it open.
“How exciting. What genre are you interested in writing? Or is it more of a journalistic endeavor like Vivian?”
“I…I plan to…” my thoughts are interrupted as I struggle to open the bottle .
I twist and twist the cap, but no matter how hard I try I only end up with a sore palm.
The bottle is pulled from my hands and I see Bishop reaching for an opener and popping the cap, bending it in half with his strength.
“Pop top,” he says, handing it back to me.
I smile at him, the crack in my heart feeling just a little bit healed, and tell him, “Thanks. I thought I could muscle it open.”
He replies with a crooked grin and chills race up my spine. We stare at each other for another moment before the clearing of a throat breaks our hold.
“Sorry. I’m interested in writing suspense but with spice.”
Gabby wiggles her brows and coos, “Ooo. Spicy suspense. I like it. Well if you ever have any work you need feedback on, send it my way. I love romance books.”
I tip back the bottle and take a quick swig. “Cool. Thanks. I’ll be sure to pass along anything to CeCe.”
I turn my back to them, ready to return to my seat, when I hear them begin talking again.
“So I have tickets for this new country band for next Saturday night if you’re interested in joining me,” Gabby tells Bishop.
My feet stumble and I freeze in place.
“Well, I’m not a huge country fan, but it sounds fun so why not,” Bishop answers and I feel my heart drop to the pit of my stomach.
I start walking again, the feeling of heartbreak taking over, and plop down into my seat. My soda bottle dangles from my fingertips and if it were to fall right now, I couldn’t be bothered to stop it.
My stomach roils in pain thinking about the two of them together on a date, and subsequently about how that date would end. With a kiss? Something more? My temples start to throb and I suddenly feel like I’m going to be sick.
He’s supposed to be mine. Not Gabby’s. Or Melina’s. Or any other woman. Mine. All he needs is a little bit of time.
I push to my feet, a little wobbly, and spot Cami talking with Cat. I move through the small crowd and I feel woozy. Like I’ve had one too many shots .
“Hey Cami,” I pant out. “Can you tell Viv and my uncle that I left early? I’m not feeling so well.”
“Oh sweetheart. What’s the matter?” Cami, channeling all of her motherly instincts, reaches out and touches my face.
“I must have eaten something that isn’t agreeing with me. I’m going to get an Uber but I don’t want Uncle Nix or Viv worrying about me. I’ll text them but he’ll probably talk to you all first.”
“The hell you are,” Cat adds. “Your uncle would skin us all alive if we let you go home by yourself, in a strangers car, only to be dropped off at the edge of campus by yourself. Not happening, chica.”
“I don’t want to bother Bishop. I don’t think he’s ready to leave,” I tell them.
“I’ll take you. I’m tired anyhow from a long day. I could use an extra hour or so of sleep. C’mon. Let’s say goodbye.” Cat tugs on my hand, but Cami pulls on the other one.
“I’ll call you tomorrow and bring you some medicine and soup if you’re still not feeling well. I know Phoenix is on a plane early in the morning.” Cami pulls me into a hug, and I blink back tears that start to build. “Feel better, sweet girl.”
“Thanks,” I choke out. “I probably just need some sleep.” I kiss Cami’s cheek then turn to Dagen who tells me I should just spend that night at her house so that “mom can take care of both of us”.
Seems she’s having an illness by proxy. I assure her that I’m fine and I will text her tomorrow.
When we reach where Bishop still stands talking to Gabby, his face fills with concern when he sees me.
“Anais? Are you okay?”
“She’s not feeling well. I’m taking her back to campus,” Cat answers for me.
“Your stuff is in my truck. I’ll take you. Just let me–”
“No,” I spit out. “I can get it later. I don’t have any classes until the afternoon so I can walk over to your office if you can just take it with you.”
He scrunches his eyebrows and looks at me like he doesn’t quite understand what I’m saying. “Yeah. Ok. Sure. I really don’t mind, Ana.”
I shake my head rapidly and reach my hand out to Gabby. “Nice meeting you. Have a good night,” I rush out and move quickly to the elevator with Cat hot on my heels.
She steps in and I jam the button for the lower concourse and cross my arms over my chest.
“Sweetheart. Are you going to be okay?” Cat wraps her arm around my shoulders and pulls me snug against her.
I shake my head no but reply, “Eventually.”
It’s a lie I tell both Cat and myself. Because if Bishop chooses Gabby, I’ll never be okay.