Chapter 10 #2
He steps closer to me. “If that’s true, then keep it that way. Don’t let anything happen. It seems like you’re happy here, and we all know he isn’t. So don’t do anything that will mess with your happiness here, both with the Raptors and in Denver.”
“I am very happy here,” I say quietly. “And I’m not going to let anything jeopardize that.”
“Best tell him that, too. I love hindsight, because it never occurred to me until right now how he looks differently at you than he does anyone else. Like I just fucking saw it for the first time, and it all made sense. Be careful. Take care of yourself first, okay?” Dante says.
“Oh, and you can add that egg thing to my breakfast routine for Houston, but take out the spinach, please. I draw the line there.”
My jovial mood completely dissipates as his words hit home. Houston. We go to Houston tomorrow. “Okay, I’ll make those changes.”
It’s been well over a year since I’ve seen Javier, and I’d be happy never running into him again. I think if our first interactions came in Denver, I’d manage it better. But this being on his turf is more debilitating, I think.
I tried to get out of the trip altogether, but Coach Dunn said no. I’m not a good liar either, or I probably could have come up with something that sounded plausible. Mom had an accident, a fire in my building, anything. But I hate lying.
So, here I am, on the team plane, en route to Houston.
On the road trips so far, I’ve roamed around the cabin, checking in with players to see how they feel their meal plans are going.
But today, I’m glued to my seat. Terror fills my veins as I think about how every minute, I’m one minute closer to my rapist, and I have no idea how things are going to go.
Maybe he won’t acknowledge me. Or he won’t even know I’m there.
But this is Javier Morales I’m talking about, and his ego is bigger than the Empire State Building. I have no doubt he’s kept track of me since I left Atlanta, and I should expect to run into him in Houston. I can only hope it’s in a well-lit location, with cameras, and other people present.
My phone vibrates with a text, and I pull it from my pocket.
Sunshine
You good?
Sunshine
You usually come bother everyone on flights.
Sunshine
How am I supposed to get through the next two hours without an argument about pesticides or preservatives?
Sunshine
Your lack of response is concerning.
Sunshine
Seriously, are you okay?
Sunshine
I know the first rule is to not talk about it, but I’m assuming the radio silence is because of him. Am I right?
Me
A Fight Club reference? Really?
Sunshine
You respond to THAT?
Sunshine
I was halfway to the back of the plane, Peaches. Now I have to casually do the walk of shame back to my seat.
Me
You were NOT. I can see straight up the aisle.
Sunshine
I’m a fast walker.
Me
Thought you weren’t a good liar.
Sunshine
I can embellish just fine.
Sunshine
Are you okay?
Me
Sure.
Sunshine
So you’re the good liar then.
Me
Not really, no. I’m not okay. But I’m putting on a brave face, so that has to stand for something.
Sunshine
If I tell you something, will you promise not to be too mad at me?
Me
I don’t like the sound of that.
Sunshine
Just keep in mind, I did this with only your well-being in mind.
Me
Okay…
Sunshine
I told management I’d heard a rumor that some of the staff had gotten threats from fans, and advised that you all stay at the same hotel as the team.
Me
Oh. That’s not too bad, I guess.
Sunshine
You assumed worse?
Me
Yeah. My mind immediately went to you calling the Houston coach, or going live online and ripping Javier apart. Definitely not just putting us under the same roof.
Sunshine
Maybe I suggested doubling up the rooms, with female staff staying with a male player. I, of course, volunteered as tribute.
Me
Now a Hunger Games reference? You are on fire today, Sunshine!
Sunshine
Clearly not, since you didn’t bother to respond about rooming with me.
Me
I highly doubt the coaches will allow that. They’ll assume it’s for some massive team orgy, or that at least one player — YOU, obviously — has an ulterior motive.
Sunshine
It all depends on delivery, Peaches. Since management has yet to even see me on a date, much less hear anything about my extracurricular activities, they assume I’m just full of good intentions.
Sunshine
Do I want to keep you safe? Hell yes.
Sunshine
Would the safest spot be in my bed? FUCK yes.
Me
I’ll be perfectly fine in my own hotel room, Max.
Sunshine
Maybe I won’t be. I’m frightened of thunderstorms. Will you keep me safe, Layla?
Me
I have a feeling, if I were to say I’d keep you safe, you’ll suggest you’d feel safest naked with me under the covers.
Sunshine
It’s best if I don’t hear the thunder. Perhaps I can use your thighs as earmuffs?
Me
MAX!
Sunshine
Jeez. It was just a suggestion.
Sunshine
One we’d both really enjoy, but I digress.
Me
Are you really scared of thunderstorms?
Sunshine
No.
Sunshine
Tornadoes? Yes. That shit makes no sense, and they freak me out.
Me
That’s valid.
Sunshine
When I got traded here, I became friends with the quarterback for the Colorado Coyotes, Jamie Wahlberg, because we share the same agent.
One of Jamie’s best friends is Jax Mitchell, who plays for the Denver Wolves NHL team.
He married a meteorologist, and I’ve met her a couple of times at dinners and events.
Me
That’s pretty neat. Does she go storm chasing?
Sunshine
Apparently. She and Jax went last summer, I think. He gushed about seeing a tornado with her.
Me
So if they ask you to go, you’ll be saying no?
Sunshine
I’ll be saying HELL NO. No, thank you. I don’t want to be anywhere near a tornado. I grew up with wildfires. That’s all I know.
Me
I know hurricanes and some tornadoes, since hurricanes can spawn tornadoes really easily. It’s the winter weather that freaks me out. What do you mean an ice storm can take out power to an entire city for weeks? How is that possible?
Sunshine
Fortunately, Denver doesn’t get too much ice. Evidently, it’s snow and wind in the winter, and softball-size hail in the summer.
Me
WHAT?!?!
Sunshine
Yeah. I was surprised too. Colorado gets a ton of hail. Becca, Jax’s wife, said they sometimes have to pull out the snow plows to clear streets from a summer hailstorm.
Me
So you mentioned you have underground parking?
Sunshine
Say the word, baby, and I’ll move you in this weekend.
Laughing, I turn off my phone’s screen, then look out the window.
Our texting lasted a good chunk of the flight, and I’m feeling much calmer than before.
It’s nice knowing Max has my back. No one in Atlanta believed me about Javier, but Max never doubted me.
I’m not sure I’ve ever had a man so quickly jump to my defense.
Max doesn’t even know the whole story. He believed me from the beginning.
It leaves an odd sensation in my gut, but I find that I don’t hate it.
Feels something like peace.