Chapter 7
Seven
Bentley
Another win for the Austin Rattlers. I actually had a decent amount of playing time during the game.
Much better than the last out-of-town game where I was in a whole two minutes before Coach pulled me.
The only thing that could brighten my day is a text from Serena.
Not that I would know it was her since she didn’t offer her number.
Jordan walks out of the stadium with me. We go through the back entrance to keep away from cameras. Even though we won, he’s not a big fan of the spotlight and will always find ways to dip out of interviews if he can help it. “When are you and the Mrs. heading back home?”
“Tomorrow night. She wants to do some sightseeing before we leave.” He shakes his head and smiles. “I don’t know what’s left for her to see. This isn’t the first time she’s been here.” He looks over his shoulder at me, “What time are you leaving?”
“Not until Sunday afternoon.”
“You’re not still chasing that girl, are you?” The car he ordered for us is sitting at the curb, and we climb in. “How many times does she have to tell you she’s not interested?”
“Until I actually believe it.” I pull my phone out of my pocket, hoping to see a message from her. “You should have seen the way she kept watching me on the flight today. Tell me that doesn’t mean something.”
“She could be freaked out. Did you tell her how you got her flight schedule?”
“Of course not. I’m not an idiot.” Seriously, this isn’t my first time trying to get a girl’s attention. Well, not since college, but that was doomed before it even started. “If Hazel wants to tell her, she will.”
“Well, if you don’t hear from your flight attendant, you’re free to join me and Vanessa tomorrow.”
“I don’t want to be the third wheel.” These two are so in love it’s sickening. I’ve never felt that way about anyone. The only people who hold my heart are my mom and sister, and I intend to keep it that way.
“You won’t be. If anything, you’ll be someone I can talk to while she goes into the fifteen million small shops that catch her eye.” He grins at me, “Then you can also help me carry her crap everywhere.”
“So, what you’re saying is, you need me to be a pack mule.”
“You won’t be the only one. She’ll have my arms full, too.”
We arrive at the hotel and step out of the car. Even if I’m carrying his wife’s stuff, it’ll be better than sitting at the hotel waiting for a phone call, or text, that’s probably never going to come. “Sure, I’ll join you.”
“Thank God,” Jordan sighs in relief. “You have no idea how much I was dreading going by myself.”
“Are you sure Vanessa won’t get mad I’m tagging along?”
“I’m sure. For some reason she actually likes you,” He gives me a once over, “I can’t see why. You’re arrogant as hell.”
“When you’re good, you’re good. Can’t fight nature.”
“And that will be your downfall. The wrong girl will come sniffing around, and you’ll chase that whim until you’re screwed.”
He doesn’t seem to think highly of me sometimes, and the criticism stings. He’s the only one on the team that’s accepted me and knowing that he thinks so little of me, makes me wonder if he does truly like for me to be around. “That’s why I don’t jump into serious relationships.”
“And what is this flight attendant? I’ve seen women throw themselves at you for the past week, and you haven’t batted an eye at them.
” He opens the door to the hotel and walks toward the elevator.
It’s late and there aren’t many people in the lobby.
“That’s not like you. The Bentley I know is very much action first and asks questions later.
Do you think holding out on who you are will make her want to be with you?
She clearly already has an opinion of you, and nothing you do is going to change that. ”
“I’m not trying to jump into anything serious with her. She’s a challenge. Never in my life has anyone ever turned me down, especially now that I’m semi-famous.”
“That, my friend, is dangerous territory.”
“Nobody said it wasn’t, but I can’t get her out of my head. Maybe it’s because she won’t give me the time of day.”
“Good luck, man.” He pats me on the arm and heads to the elevator. “I’ll see you bright and early. If you want, you can get Vanessa’s opinion on Serena. I’m sure she’ll have a lot to say.”
“No, thanks. I have a feeling she’ll chew my ass out more than you have.”
Laughing, he presses the button to slide the doors open. “You’d be correct. See you tomorrow.” He walks in the elevator and the doors close behind him.
There’s no way I’ll be able to sleep anytime soon, even though I’m usually exhausted after playing.
There’s light music coming from the hotel bar, and a drink sounds perfect right now.
Heading toward the bar, I pass a few couples going to their rooms, and as much as I don’t do relationships, it’d be nice to have someone to celebrate my minor accomplishments with.
I pull out one of the bar stools and wave the bartender over, “Can I get a Crown & Coke?”
“Sure thing.” He rounds the bar and works on my order.
My eyes find the television in the corner of the room playing highlights from the game tonight.
It’s surreal seeing myself on a sports news broadcast. I’m no stranger to watching myself on video.
Hell, it’s how I’ve improved my game over the years.
Seeing exactly where you messed up, and what you need to fix, is how you end up in the Pros.
The bartender slides a glass in front of me. “Here you go, sir.”
“Thanks.” I stare into the glass, wondering how I ended up drinking alone in a hotel bar, before I take a long drink. Oh, that’s right, because I’m trying to get a girl that has no interest in me to go on a date.
Damn, Jordan just had to make me doubt my plan for Serena.
Being a straight up asshole isn’t my goal.
I genuinely want to go out with her. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and has zero issues going toe-to-toe with me.
It’s refreshing. The only other woman who has ever done that is Gabby, and she doesn’t count because she’s my sister.
He’s right, though. I should nip this thing in the bud and not pressure this woman to go out with me.
At some point it has to be creepy, right?
Hazel seemed to think it was a good idea, though.
Surely her best friend would know whether I’m pushing my limits.
Most women try to protect their friends from someone they think is a jerk, not push them together.
The sad thing is…I’m not a hundred percent sure how we would even date if it ever went past the first one. Jordan is right. This is stupid, and I should let it go. There are plenty of women jumping at the chance to go out with me. I shouldn’t be so focused on this one woman who can’t even stand me.
The bartender comes back around to me, and nods toward the now empty glass. “Want another one?”
I have to meet Jordan in the morning, and it’s probably not a good idea, but who cares? It’s not like I absolutely have to go. “Sure, thanks.”
The bartender returns a few moments later with my drink. “Here you go.” He glances at the TV and then back at me. “You played one hell of a game tonight, even if you’re not who I was rooting for.”
“Thank you?” It comes out more like a question. It’s the weirdest compliment I think I’ve ever received, especially coming from a fan of the opposing team.
“You have a pretty solid game considering you’re a rookie.” He leans an elbow on the bar, and glances around to make sure nobody else needs anything. “How are you so good at such a young age?”
I laugh. As odd as this conversation is, it’s nice talking about the sport I love with someone not on my team, or in my family, for that matter. “A lot of practice. I’ve played since I was a kid and trained every chance I could when I was in college. Even during off season.”
“It shows.” He nods his head toward the TV, “I’m surprised they don’t play you more.”
“You aren’t the only one,” I mutter under my breath, hoping he doesn’t hear me.
A man in a suit waves his hand across the bar to signal he wants a drink, and I feel underdressed.
The hotel is fancy. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to staying in places like this.
One day, maybe, but today is not that day.
My joggers and t-shirt definitely have no business in this setting when other patrons are dressed to the nines.
The bartender raps his knuckles against the bar top. “If you need anything, wave me down.” And just like that, our sports talk is over. I’ve had a lot of crazy conversations, but that one…it popped out of nowhere and ended just as abruptly.
Sipping on my drink, the events of the day flash through my mind.
The only one that stands out is Serena’s hand wrapped around the paper with my phone number.
Either she’ll call, or she won’t. If she doesn’t, that’ll be my sign that I need to give up my farce.
I already booked my flights for the next few weeks, and they all happen to have her working them.
If it doesn’t work out in my favor, I’ll play it off as wanting to make sure I get to my games early.
It's not a total lie. I like arriving for the games well in advance. It gives me a chance to get in the right mental space and prepare myself for success. Or at least give me more of the coach’s approval.
If there’s one person I’ve always looked up to, it’s whoever is coaching the team I’m on.
It could be because they are like a father-figure to me since I didn’t have one growing up.
Who knows? But their thoughts of me are part of what fuels me.
I pull my wallet out of my pocket and throw some bills on the bar. This is turning into a woe is me pity party, and it’s something that should not be done in public. A yawn escapes my lips, and that’s the next signal that I need to go up to my room.
Halfway across the lobby, my phone dings and my heart skips. It’s either Serena or Jordan. I’m hoping for the former, but it’s most likely the latter. Sliding the phone out of my pocket, I check the screen. Unknown number. Hmm, it’s definitely not Jordan. I open up the screen and grin.
Unknown: I guess I’ll go out on a date with you.
Bentley: Don’t make it sound like I twisted your arm.
I take a moment to save the phone number to my phone. Now I have a way to get a hold of her directly.
Serena: You kind of did. But I’m free until around lunch on Sunday.
Bentley: Lunch tomorrow?
Serena: Sure.
Bentley: Just tell me where and I’ll be there.
Serena: Let me see what’s in this town and I’ll let you know in the morning.
Bentley: Sounds good. Goodnight Serena.
She doesn’t respond, but I know she’s interested now, and that’s all that matters. So much for Jordan's words of wisdom on the ride over from the stadium. He and Vanessa are practically high school sweethearts. How would he know what works in the dating world?
The text from Serena is all I needed to give me a boost of energy. I don’t know if I’ll go to bed for different reasons now. I know nothing about Chicago and foresee the rest of the night spent on google searching for things to do. But first, I need to text Jordan.
Bentley: Slight change of plans for tomorrow. I can hang out until lunch. Then I have a date.
Jordan: Did you pick up a girl from the bar?
Bentley: Nope. SHE texted me.
Jordan: Cool. Can I go back to sleep now?
Bentley: Sure, old man.
The middle finger emoji is all that shows up when he texts me back. I’m doing this skip walk thing as I head toward the elevators. There’s nothing in the world that can wipe the smile off my face. Tomorrow will be epic.