Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
Jif had spent the evening glued to Donte’s side in an effort to avoid Corey. Colton had abandoned her for his cadre of receivers within minutes of arriving, and while she loved football as much as the next person, probably more than most, even she had her limits.
Clemens had a long history with Nike, and they were launching a new sneaker partnership, so the walls held shelves filled with leather high-tops, neon laces, and fancy embellishments, including a gold-leaf version.
It would be auctioned off at the end of the night, the anchor showpiece, an homage to Clemens’ teeth.
All four front ones had been knocked out in a college championship game, and he’d replaced them with gold implants after they won.
A diamond now glinted in the right incisor, added after their first Super Bowl win.
Jif caught sight of Corey coming their way and switched direction again. She pointed to a set of sneakers with iridescent scales, like a mermaid’s tail. “I think this one is my favorite.”
Donte gestured to a pair farther down the row. “I like the ones with flames over there. I wonder if they’d make them as cleats for the My Cause, My Cleats game.”
“What would you support?”
Donte had spent several years on the bench before being upgraded to a starter, so he hadn’t found a passion to champion, yet. Most guys took a few years to figure it out once they were in a position to do so.
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’m interested in a lot of charities, but everyone keeps telling me I have to pick one, otherwise the impact is diluted.”
Jif sipped her wine. “What if you did a charitable fund or a grant program? Then, you’d have flexibility, but could still raise money and awareness for the things you want to support?”
“Hey, that’s a great idea!” Donte turned toward her, eyes shining. “I really appreciate how you don’t focus on what can’t be done, you find ways to make it happen, instead.”
A flush heated Jif’s cheeks. “You’re far too kind.”
He caught her eyes with his, deep brown and intense as he held her gaze. “Is it ‘too kind’ if it’s true?”
“There you are, I’ve been looking for you all night.” Corey slung an arm around Jif’s shoulders and steered her away from Donte.
Jif pulled back, but Corey tightened his grip.
His breath reeked of alcohol, as did the splash of liquid on his lapel.
“Let me go.”
“You can quit playing hard-to-get already. You’ve got me. I’m hooked,” he slurred. “The game is getting obnoxious.”
Jif pushed away from him, but he immediately grabbed for her again, this time catching her hair.
“Ow!” Whether from the surprise of his attack or the violence of it, Jif’s voice crackled above the low murmur around her.
A moment later, Corey whirled away, yanking her hair once more before his hand ripped free.
A sickening, meaty thud sounded, then he hit the floor.
Just past him, Donte shook out his fist.
“What the hell, man?” Corey sat up, running his hand over his jaw, but he didn’t stand.
A crowd gathered, and Jif, massaging her aching scalp, drifted toward the edge of the circle.
Before she could disappear, Donte caught her eye. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Her voice shook, but she cleared her throat and forced her fingers away from her hair.
Then, Colton pushed through the group, taking in the scene: Corey on the ground, Donte still rubbing a hand over his fist, and Jif caught between them.
“Seriously, Jif?” he groaned. “One wasn’t enough?”
Shame washed through her at his condescending tone. Had she led Corey on? Or Donte? Should she have said something sooner?
“Hey, man, don’t blame her.” Donte’s form wavered as her eyes flooded with tears. “Corey grabbed her hair when she tried to get away.”
In the growing crowd, a few voices piped up to add their own version of events, but Colton glared at her, then reached a hand down to Corey, helping him to his feet.
“You’re done for tonight. Let’s get you a cab.”
“I’m fine.” But Corey staggered as he stood, and Colton steered him away, calling for Jif to follow.
“I’m not a dog,” she grumbled, but Colton was her ride—and her date. If he chose to leave, she should, too.
Donte stopped her as she passed. “I can give you a lift home later if you need it. Or, if you want to go...”
The sweetness of his offer almost broke Jif’s heart, but Colton’s accusation hung between them. She needed to fix this before anyone else got hurt. “Thanks, but I’m fine. I should go catch up.”
He frowned. “I’ll call you tomorrow, then.”
Jif shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. I appreciate the save, but I’ll be alright.”
“Still...”
She put up a hand. “I mean it. Don’t call me.”
“Oh.” He stepped back. “I mean, if you’re sure. I thought...”
Jif almost laughed, but it would have been hard, brittle.
Corey thought, Donte thought, Colton thought...
Everyone thought they knew her.
“I’m sorry. This is all my fault, because I didn’t say it straight out, so Corey thought he had a chance.
He didn’t. And, you’re really sweet. You’re kind.
If not for...” she trailed off. “I have a boyfriend, and if I didn’t, you’re exactly the kind of person I’d want to spend time with, but it’s not fair to you to think I’m available.
I’m not. So, if you don’t want to be my friend anymore, I get it, but I’d really rather not do this here, okay?
” She swiped her fingers under her eyes, brushing the tears away before they could fall.
Years of cultivating these relationships were wasted.
Everyone’s friend, always the good time, and in one night, she’d managed to ruin it all.
She turned, pushing her way through the still-lingering crowd who wanted to milk every ounce of drama from this little play before they went back to their drinks and their enclaves and chewed over the gossip for the rest of the evening.
It’d be a miracle if she didn’t end up in The Charleston Herald tomorrow.
Everything was ruined, including her carefully curated image.
She rushed through the hotel doors.
The sultry evening breeze rustled the leaves in the trees lining the broad road in front, and the sun had not yet sunk over the horizon.
I’ll be home before dark.
The humiliation...
Ahead of her, Colton pushed Corey’s head down as he slid into a waiting cab.
Jif took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
At a touch on her arm, she whirled, palm open, ready to slap whoever had grabbed her this time.
Could no one keep their hands to themselves tonight?
“Whoa!” Donte backed up several steps. “You took off, but I wanted to say, I do want to be your friend. I’m sorry. If I’d known you had a boyfriend, I never would have...”
“Come on, Jif. We’re going.” Colton stood beside his car as the valet got out, arms crossed and one foot tapping the ground.
“I believe you.” Jif’s voice wavered. “I didn’t want to say anything because he’s...”
She stopped cold. He’s what? Not a player? Not my usual kind of guy?
She pictured him circulating the room, drink in hand and wearing a slick suit and tie, but the visual refused to focus. He didn’t belong with this scene.
If she did, what did that mean for them?
Donte held out a hand. “Just friends is fine, okay?”
“Jif!” Colton’s voice snapped across the hotel driveway.
“I should go.” But before she did, she grabbed Donte’s hand. “Friends.”