Chapter 5 #2
I nod enthusiastically. “Happily.” I run my fingers through my facial hair. “Hmm, what can we wager? If you can’t get him to come home with you, I get to join one of your postgame interviews, saying and doing whatever the hell I want.”
“Home with me tonight?” she asks.
I shrug. “No. I’m a reasonable man. Let’s say by the end of August, right before my season starts. That gives you the rest of the summer to work your so-called magic.” I air quote the word magic. “I don’t think your ugly ass can get him,” I taunt.
Okay, she’s not ugly. She’s fucking hot…on the outside. With great tits. It’s the inside I hate.
She narrows her eyes at me. “And if I win?”
I pop a fried pickle into my mouth and purposefully chew with my mouth open because she mentioned it as another red flag of hers.
“You can join my first postgame interview, also saying and doing whatever you please. It will be seen by millions more than yours. Great PR for you. I imagine it will help your image.”
Her green eyes light up. She likes that. “He doesn’t have a girlfriend, does he? It doesn’t count if he does.”
I hold up my right hand. “Scout’s honor. I swear on my life he doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
“And you can’t interfere by saying something to him about this bet.”
I nod. “Agreed. I honestly don’t think you can seal the deal with him. You’re not as hot as you think you are,” I lie.
Steam practically shoots from her ears as she holds out her hand. “Deal. No limits. The winner can say and do anything they want.”
I smile as I happily shake her hand in return just before Champ, Layla, and Presley reach the table. Presley shakes his head in exasperation. “Sorry we’re late. When a woman says five minutes, it’s more like five minutes left in a game and both teams have all their timeouts.”
I look his sexy wife up and down in her tiny dress. Knowing she’s a little insecure about the last few pounds of baby weight, I want to make her feel good about herself. I let out a loud whistle. “Wow. Totally worth the wait. Are you a Beaver, because dam…”
Layla giggles, but Kennedy snorts in annoyance. “You truly have a way with words. Shakespeare walked so you could run. Good lord, I hate your sense of humor.”
I bring my index finger to my pursed lips. “Shhh.” I look up. “We need to see if flying fucks fall from the sky.”
I stand, needing to get away from Kennedy’s vitriol for a few minutes. “I’m going to drain the dragon. I’ll stop by the bar and grab a round afterward. Anyone want anything?”
Kennedy glares at me. She hates my bathroom references. “I’ll take a drink. Watch out for the woman running the cash register. She was a real bitch earlier.”
“Were you at self-checkout?” I ask.
She gives me the finger before saying, “I’ll have a Cosmo. Make it a double since you’re buying. Not too much cranberry juice. I prefer it to be a lighter shade of pink.”
I wink at her. “So do I, sweetheart.”
Her lips curl in disgust. “You just ruined it for me. Make it an espresso martini.”
I shrug. “Don’t worry, I like the brown parts of a woman’s body too. Brown puckered rosebuds are a personal favorite.”
She pinches the bridge of her nose while I inwardly smile as I walk away. I think fucking with Kennedy Jeffries is about to become my new favorite hobby.
KENNEDY
I mentally run through every single thing I said and did last night as I sit in the receptionist area of Reagan’s office waiting for her to see me.
Champ seems so unaffected by my advances.
I’ve never had a man react this way to me.
What the hell am I doing wrong? It’s not like he was talking to other women.
He was chilling at our table the whole night.
He talked to a few men, but no women. Have I lost my mojo?
It’s like Philadelphia is my kryptonite. This fucking city is cockblocking me.
I was summoned to Reagan’s office this morning.
I imagine I’m about to get yelled at for getting ejected from our game last night.
The player on the other team had her hands, elbows, and hips all over Sulley for the entire game.
It was bullshit. That woman had a hard takedown coming to her, and I was the one to serve it up.
The middle-aged receptionist with neon pink glasses looks up from her desk without an expression as she points toward Reagan’s closed office door. “Mrs. Daulton will see you now.”
I exhale a long breath as I build up the courage to face the tongue-lashing I’m about to get.
Standing on wobbly legs, I make my way to her door and slowly open it.
I see her sitting at a desk that might be bigger than my car, and her office is definitely bigger than my apartment.
It’s got a living room, a small kitchen, and a small play area that is filled with kids’ toys.
Reagan is in yet another designer outfit. This one is green. There’s another blonde, in an equally impressive power pantsuit, sitting in a chair on the other side of her desk. She resembles Reagan and has a canned drink in her hand.
Reagan motions her head toward the woman. “This is my cousin, Jade. She works here and wanted to meet you.”
Jade, who must be around my age, gives me a big smile. “Ahh, the black widow of professional basketball. I’ve been dying to meet you.”
I hate the nickname I’ve been called for years, but I don’t let on. I simply nod as I pull a similar can from my purse. “It looks like we have the same taste in energy drinks.”
It’s a drink called Pussy Juice, and I don’t really drink it.
I just find it amusing and keep it in my purse at all times to be busted out when needed for entertainment value.
I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone else who has heard of it, let alone drinks it.
It’s not like you can buy it in a regular store.
Reagan lets out a laugh. “You’ve met your match, Jade.”
Jade’s smile turns mischievous. I like her immediately. “It looks like I have a new bestie. Come in.” She waves her hand. “Have a seat.”
I stand still as I look at Reagan. “Is that what I’m here for? A bestie sleepover?” I ask sarcastically.
Reagan rolls her eyes. “No, smartass.” She points to the chair next to Jade. “Have a seat. We need to talk.”
I sigh as I sit. “Look, I’m sorry about getting ejected. That player was out of line all night. She had it coming.”
Jade scoffs. “Pft. Totally had it coming. Good for you for doing what every Beavers fan wanted to do all night. Hell, I almost stormed the court and tackled that bitch myself.”
Huh? I look at Reagan in question, and she nods.
“Agreed. She had it coming. I have no problem with how you acted. We can’t have you doing that every game because it was fatal to our team to lose you, but when a player is being handsy like that, I’m okay with you protecting your teammate.
We can’t allow Sulley to get manhandled like that in every damn game.
Did you not notice the standing ovation you received from the crowd on your way out? ”
I feel like I’m being trapped. Licking my lips nervously, I admit, “I did,” while I consider Shay’s words from her apartment. Is that why I’m here? To be Sulley’s protector?
She smiles as she picks up a small piece of paper from her desk. “People liked it so much that you had a very generous offer come in shortly after the game ended.”
“Offer…for what?”
She gives me an amused look, like she’s trying to bite back a smile. She then loses the battle, and they both start giggling. “What’s so funny?” I ask. “What’s the offer?”
She clears her throat. “Have you heard of FC2?”
I shake my head. “No.”
She and Jade exchange bemused glances before Reagan’s eyes once again meet mine. “It’s a female condom. Get it? Female protector, just like you.” She and Jade break into a fit of giggles.
I cross my arms. “Is this a joke? Did you bring me all the way down here just to fuck with me?”
With the laughter not quite subsiding, she shakes her head and hands me the piece of paper she’s been holding. “This is their offer. Does that look like a joke to you?”
I take the small Post-it from her hand, and my jaw nearly drops. It’s about the same amount as my basketball salary for the entire year. I’ve never had an opportunity like this.
“W…what do they want me to do?”
“Promote their product. Appear in a few print ads. I imagine it doesn’t hurt that you’re attractive. I told you if you played nice in the sandbox with Sulley her star power would rub off and good things would happen.”
“I don’t have to, like, really use the product, do I?” I ask.
They both begin hysterically laughing again. Reagan shakes her head and wheezes, “No, of course not. Fuck, that’s funny though.”
Jade nods. “You should have told her yes.”
I stand and cross my arms in annoyance. “I think I’m done amusing you two for the day.”
Reagan is still laughing as I walk toward the door. She shouts out, “The phone number is on there. Call them, Jenna Jameson.”
The sounds of her and Jade howling in laughter ring through the office as I make my way to the elevator bank. I can’t help the small smile that finds my lips. Maybe it’s not Gatorade or some giant cosmetics company, but this is my first big endorsement offer. This could very well be my big break.
I begin my long walk home feeling pretty good about myself. While the product isn’t ideal, I’ve got to start somewhere, and this is a big payday for me. The biggest of my career.
I wonder if I should try to get an agent.
I’m not big enough for someone like Tanner Montgomery to take on, but I need to find someone.
Maybe I should talk to my father. I’ve successfully avoided my parents at our two home games so far, but I know I can’t avoid them forever.
He keeps emailing me, and she keeps texting and calling me.
While I won’t entertain returning her messages, maybe I should reach out to him. It’s so annoying that he doesn’t text.