Chapter 9
CHARLOTTE
New Years Eve
I haven’t laughed like this in years.
Franklin owns Dricks, one of the best nightclubs in LA, and when the DJ played our song from high school, we girls owned the dance floor. We brought the moves and, with it, a lot of stares from the younger crowd. With strapless, sparkly gold dresses, no one can dull our vibe.
“We haven’t lost it,” Violet says, out of breath, as we slide our asses back into the VIP lounges. She fans her face, trying to cool down. “I’m not as fit as I used to be.”
Bella laughs. “You should be the fittest chasing after your kids.”
The server arrives, and I order more champagne.
“I could get used to this,” Cassie says. “Staff fussing over you.”
“It’s not as fun as it appears.” I tip my head toward Dwayne, who is standing in the corner. “I’ve had a shadow for years.”
“Well, I’m just going to burst your pity bubble. How can you work with a hot security guy following you everywhere? I mean, I would jump that every opportunity I had.” Bella licks her lips.
I feign shock. “I’m a professional.”
“He has huge balls.” Violet stares at his crotch.
I cough, no longer feigning surprise.
“From a medical perspective, of course.”
Bella laughs. “Of course. Observation makes the nurse.”
“Right. The last time I had a handful that large, I accidentally groped a patient as I was assisting his position in bed. I reached for the other nurse’s hand and squeezed, only it wasn’t her hand.”
“The hell?” Cassie shakes her head. “Did he scream?”
“He wasn’t happy, considering he was around ninety. The scrotum hangs low at that age, but Dwayne here…” She smiles, acting innocent when he looks our way.
“Stop. I don’t want to picture anything sexual about my security guy, thanks.”
Cassie giggles. “You have to admit he is hot.”
“I’m not admitting anything. He has one job tonight… ensure we all get home safely. And since we still have more than four hours until midnight, we’re setting him up to fail.”
“Well, hellooo.”
I turn to see who Bella is ogling. “Hey.”
“Hey.” River’s smooth voice wraps around me like silk. His large hand cups my bare shoulder, and a shiver runs along my spine. Simultaneously, the server arrives with a bottle of champagne. “Perfect timing.”
“You drink champagne?”
River grins at Cassie. “Only the good stuff, like my women.” He leans down closer to my ear. “Would you like to dance?”
“I… er… our drinks just arrived.” I hold up my glass for the server.
My phone buzzes on the table, and I open the text from Giana.
I hope you’re watching this.
I open the sports app to the only game playing at this time. I’d purposefully avoided it because of a certain person I am hesitant to watch.
Brandon and his team are walking off the court.
What the… he’s shirtless.
What happened? I assume the douchebag played well?
Replay the end. Then call me!
I replay the ending, ignoring my friends, who are curiously watching.
In the final seconds, Brandon hits a three-pointer from just over the half-court.
His team wins by two points. Impressive.
The stats leaderboard flashes onto the screen.
Brandon has led in points, assists, and steals, with a career-high of forty-one points for the game.
The camera spans back to him as he rips his jersey over his head and thumps his chest over his heart.
I squint recognizing a new tattoo along with the commentators mentioning it.
The camera zooms in, and he points a finger at the camera.
“The fuck?” I spit.
“What?”
I pause the image and turn my phone for Bella and my friends to see while I look up at River, who appears as mad as I do.
“Lottie?” Cassie looks at me and back at the screen. “Does he have a new girlfriend with the same name as you?”
“He fucking better,” River says between clenched teeth.
Bella stares at me. “Holy fuck.”
New Year’s Day passed in the blink of an eye, considering I spent most of it in bed recovering from a hangover. I inhaled essential oils, practiced meditative, deep breathing, and drank my weight in water, yet nothing alleviated a headache from hell.
Yet I’d rather have the hangover than sit opposite Walter in a meeting where he is giving me a headache just by listening to him ramble.
Walter taps his fingers on the table as though I’m an inconvenience. This fucker better learn his place.
“Walter.” Franklin gives him his trademark do-not-mess-with-me look. “Charlotte has a point. Bringing Brandon Johns back to the team could disrupt team dynamics.”
Jobe points his pen at Walter. “And they are asking far too much for a player who has aged years since he played with us.”
“He is playing at his peak. We know Byron and Brandon play better together.”
“That was before!” I take a deep breath when Franklin gives me the eye to remain calm.
Walter leans back in his chair and folds his arms over his large stomach.
“If we are going to allow emotion to interfere with business decisions, then we need to go back to what is best for the team. Who will get us a championship? We don’t have time for a player to come in this late in the season and knit with our players.
Brandon already knows our guys and the Sharks playbook like the back of his hand. ”
“I have to agree with Walter.” I glare at Lex. “We need someone who will gel with the team.”
“I agree, but…” I stare at Walter, “… we have options other than Brandon Johns.”
“Do you have a list of these players?” he asks, although he knows the answer.
“No. This is not my area of expertise. I just oversee it,” I remind him.
His cold, hard gaze fixes on me. “Are you allowing your emotions to cloud your judgment on what is right for the team?”
“Walter.” Franklin gives a deep warning.
I pack up my laptop and notes. “If you don’t have faith in my opinion, then I’ll allow you men to decide what is right for the team.” I push up from my chair.
“Lottie.” Jobe rests a gentle palm on my hand as he shakes his head.
“Understand I want what is best for the team. But I’m not going to go around in circles arguing about something I firmly disagree with.
If you think I’m talking with my heart and not my head, you are wrong.
I have other matters to attend. Let me know when you come to a decision, and it better not be today.
Go home and ponder this overnight. We’ll meet back here tomorrow.
” I storm out of the office and allow the men to argue over a trade.
I’m done.