Big Baller : A Hero Club Novel

by Katrina Marie

  "Okay. I love you, Mijo. And I can't wait to meet Jolene." I hear the smile in her voice and know that she means it.

  "Thanks Ma, I love you, too.” As much as it sucks that me and my sister fight over this one thing, she'll come around. She will love Jolene just as much as I'm beginning to. Now, I just have to bring up to Jolene that she needs to meet my mom soon. That should be loads of fun.

  Twenty-Two

  Jolene

  Tonight, has been more fun than I’ve had in a while. Lana and I showed Bentley, Jordan, his wife, and Ross some of our favorite places. From the pizza joint down the street from the stadium to the bar we frequent. It was amazing to show him my city. The place I’ve called home since I left my parents’ house.

  Now, though…my feet are killing me. After being on flights all week, and the late night with Bentley last night, I can hear my bed calling me. It’s too bad that’s not the bed I’m going to tonight. Or maybe not?

  Bentley reaches for my hand as the elevator doors open. Everyone else has gone to their respective rooms, and Lana headed home after the bar. Which was kind of odd since she’s usually a night owl? I didn’t miss the looks her and Ross were giving each other. There has to be something there. Who knows? I could be reading into something that doesn’t exist. Especially since I’m caught up in my own euphoria with Bentley.

  As soon as we’re inside the box and the doors close, he pulls me to me. His arms wrap around my waist. “Are you sure you don’t want to go home tonight?”

  “Yeah,” I nod. “It’s late. Besides, you’re here and I’d much rather be with you.” Gah, that sounds so mushy. Like something a teenager would say on a date with her first actual boyfriend. He makes me feel that way, though. Everything around us doesn’t exist. It’s just me and him, and all the fucked up things that screw with our hearts. It’s not impossible to overcome, but we’ve torn down each other's walls. He knows about my shitty family, the horrible idea that was Carter, and that I’m not a flashy girl. And yet…he still hasn’t walked away. He hasn’t given any sign that I’m too much trouble even with me being states away from him. That speaks more to his genuine character than anything I’ve read. Or the cocky, self-assured persona he has on the court. We’re more alike than I think either of us has realized.

  “That’s good to know.” He bends down, blocking the already dim lighting in the elevator, and brushes his lips across mine. The kiss isn’t rushed, or hurried. Nothing like the frantic pace we had last night. No, it’s the exact opposite. Soft. Gentle. Promising me he’s all in. That he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make sure things between us work. It’s reassuring, knowing he seems to feel the same way I feel about him.

  I lean into the kiss, letting him know I trust him. As soon as the elevator doors open, he’s backing me out, our lips never parting. As awkward as it is to walk backward, not knowing how far we are going, I don’t pull away. I don’t break the kiss. I meld with him completely until we come to a stop and he moves one hand to fumble in his back pocket.

  “Damn it,” he mumbles against my lips before pulling back. “Why is it so hard to get your wallet out of your back pocket?”

  “I don’t know,” I lean against the door we stopped in front of. “Maybe it’s because your jeans are so damn tight that it would take a force of nature to pull it out.”

  He looks down at the jeans in question. “You don’t like them?”

  That doesn’t deserve an answer, but I give it to him, anyway. “I do. But it is making it take longer to get into the room,” I pause for a second, “and so does sitting outside your room talking about your clothing. It’d be a lot better if we were inside and they were on the floor.”

  His mouth drops open. I guess he wasn’t expecting me to say that. It’s not like I’m a prude or anything, but I can see why he might be surprised by my comment. “I guess we better remedy that.” He finally gets the wallet out of his pocket, and searches for the key card. He waves it in front of the door, but the light stays a steady red. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he groans.

  “Did you have it in the little paper sleeve while it was in your wallet?” I’m ninety percent sure I know what happened, and he’s not going to like the answer.

  “I’m not sure?” It comes out as a question, and I have my answer.

  “Are you sure we’re at the right room?” Might as well, figure that out while we’re at it.

  “Yes,” he nods emphatically. “We definitely have the right door. What does that have to do with anything?”

  I shake my head at him. Amateur. “Well, if we’re at the right room,” I yank the key card out of his hand and try waving it in front of the reader with no luck. “That means the data on your key card was erased.”

  “How is that even possible?”

  “There’s a reason they tell you to keep it in the sleeve.” I’m always amused at how many people don’t know this. It’s happened to me on one occasion and that’s all it took for me to remember to put in in there. At his raised eyebrows, I continue, “If you put it in with the rest of the credit cards in your wallet, it can sometimes erase the card.”

  “How does that even work?” He gently pulls the card from my hand, turning it back and forth. Looking for something that can explain this.

  “I don’t know,” I shrug. “Technology magic?”

  He pulls me back to him and brings his mouth to my ear. “I guess it’s a good thing you came back with me after all.” The way his breath tickles my ear sends tingles down my spine. I know what that mouth is capable of, and if it wasn’t for this damn door, I’d be experiencing it right now. He leans back. “Seriously,” he smirks, knowing damn well what he’s doing, and how it affects me. “I would have been here for another thirty minutes trying to get it to work before admitting defeat.”

  “Well, I guess you better get your ass down to the concierge desk and get a new one.”

  “Why’s that?” An older couple walks behind, knowing smiles gracing their face as they pass us by. No doubt thinking about what they were like when they first started dating. Or hell, maybe they still act that way. I’ve never seen a long-lasting relationship except my parents, and half the time they don’t look like they even like each other. At least, not then. “Jolene?”

  His voice breaks me out of my thoughts. “Um, because the bed is in there, and we are out here.” I’m playing innocent when he knows damn well why we both want in that room.

  “You mean, you want to use the bed to sleep?”

  “I do like my sleep,” I tap my finger against my chin. My lips curling at the game we’re playing.

  “Hmm, I guess I could go get a new one so you can get some sleep.” He winks at me as he turns back toward the elevators. “Don’t go anywhere.”

  Rolling my eyes, I slide down the door until my butt hits the floor. “Hurry up, tease. We’d already be in there if you listened to the clerk when they gave you the card.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he mock salutes and picks up his pace.

  My heart soars as I watch him rush down the hallway and then disappear into the hallway. This is a playful side I’m not sure others get to see. I’m only happy he allows me in. Allows me to witness the soft side of his hard exterior.

  I know I have a good ten or fifteen minutes until he comes back. I might as well do something useful.

  Jolene: Hey girl, did you make it home okay?

  Lana: Yep. Snug in my bed. You home?

  Jolene: Nope. At the hotel with Bentley.

  Lana: Why the hell are you texting me?????

  Jolene: He had to get the key card reprogrammed.

  Lana: That’s funny. Maybe next time he’ll learn.

  Jolene: Maybe…

  Lana: Y’all look really happy. You have a glow you haven’t had in months.

  Jolene: Thanks. Do you think it’s too soon to be this into him?

  Lana: Nope. If you’re happy, run with it. You gotta do you.

  The elevator door dings, and seconds
later I see Bentley step into the hallway.

  Jolene: Thanks. He’s back, gotta go.

  Lana: Have fun. ;)

  Jolene: I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.

  Bentley nods to the phone in my hand when he reaches me. “I wasn’t gone that long.”

  “Oh hush,” I raise my hand in the air so he can pull me up. “I wanted to make sure Lana got home safely.”

  “And did she?” He raises an eyebrow as he pulls me up.

  “Yep.”

  Somehow in all that he also waved the new key card in front of the door lock, and it flashes green. He turns the handle and pushes the door open. “I think we should pick up where we left off.”

  Bentley’s arms wrapped tightly around is all the comfort I need. His breathing is soft and measured, and I’m almost certain he’s asleep.

  I scoot over the tiniest fraction. Just enough to get away from the insane body heat he gives off. Seriously, no person should be able to produce that much heat. I don’t make it far, though. “Where are you going?” he whispers against my neck.

  “You’re too hot,” I grumble as he pulls me even closer. “I even have my foot sticking out of the bottom of the blanket.”

  “Fine,” he concedes. Even though it’s what I wanted, I miss the contact when he scoots away from me. He might be across the bed now, but he’s still on his side, and his finger runs slowly up and down my arm. The room is quiet, and soft light filters in around the curtain. “I have a question.”

  My eyes were drifting close until he spoke again. “What’s that?” The words almost connected together.

  “How do you feel about meeting my mom?”

  That one small question has my eyes popping wide open. There’s no way I’ll fall asleep now. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I take a deep breath. “I mean we haven’t really been together that long. Isn’t it a little soon?”

  “I don’t think it’s soon at all.” He scoots closer and runs his hand down my arm until his fingers are intertwined with mine. “I’ve already talked to my mom about you. I kind of had to after she saw the cameras focused on us.” His hand squeezes mine. “I wanted to tell her sooner, but figured I should talk to you first. She’s really excited to meet you.”

  My heart is hammering, and I’m not sure how to respond. I can’t remember the last time I met someone’s parents. It had to have been high school. I damn sure haven’t taken anyone home to my parents considering they basically cut me out of their lives. But I wonder if he’s ever taken anyone home. That’s a big step, and the insecure side wants to know this. “Have you taken anyone else home to meet your family? I just don’t know what to expect.”

  I feel bad for even asking the question. He doesn’t need to justify past relationships to me. He’s never asked me to do it. I told him about Carter because I wanted to. Because I needed him to know why I had the reservations I did. But he doesn’t scoff. He only pulls me close to him despite my earlier complaints about him being the equivalent of a space heater. “I’ve never taken anyone home to meet them. I almost did once, but she proved to be someone that didn’t give a damn about me. She only wanted the popularity that comes with being with one of the players on the team.”

  “Didn’t your mom question why you never brought anyone to meet them?”

  He nuzzles his chin against my shoulder and neck, and I relax in his arms. “Not really. I’ve always been a pretty private person. And they know that if I bring someone home…I’m serious.”

  Serious. That’s what he means for us. He’s serious about me. I should have guessed considering he’s gone above and beyond what any other man has done. He didn’t give up on a date with me, sets things up virtually, and he’s there. Always. He’s definitely shown me how serious he is about me. “Ok.” I take a deep breath. “I’ll meet your mom.”

  “And my sister,” he adds.

  “And your sister,” I sigh. This is going to be very interesting. The worst they can do is not like me. “Now go to sleep. We have to get up early to get you to the airport.”

  “But I want to do other things,” he pouts while his hand travels south.

  “Nope. If we do that, we won’t make it to the airport on time.” I pull his hand back up until it’s resting on my stomach. “If you don’t stop, I’ll go sleep on the couch.”

  “Yeah,” he strengthens his hold on me. “That’s not happening. You’re not leaving my arms until you absolutely have to.”

  I guess there will be no space and I’ll be sweaty come morning. But that’s fine. At least I have these moments with him tonight.

  Kisses on my neck are my alarm. Bentley pushes the hair off my face when he notices me stirring. I know it hasn’t been that long since we’ve gone to bed, but I won’t argue with how he’s waking me up. Mornings aren’t my thing, even when I have to go to work, but this is my own slice of paradise.

  “I wish we could start the day like this every morning,” he mumbles in my ear. “That’s probably the best sleep I’ve gotten in ages and it’s only better because I get to wake up next to you.”

  Cue the warm fuzzies. I’ve debated telling him I want to look for another job. Mostly because, well…we haven’t been dating that long and I don’t want him to think the change is because of him. I’m obviously not that sort of person. The one to derail my life for a guy. But, it’s time. I’m exhausted from all the travel, and if I could find a job that doesn’t require me to travel as much, then I’ll be happy. With, or without, Bentley by my side. “That could be a possibility.”

  “What do you mean?” His lifts his head up and tilts it to the side like a confused puppy. It’s as adorable when he does it as when they do. “Did you find a different job?”

  “Calm down.” I roll over until I’m facing him. His hair is sticking out in every direction, and I’m terrified of what mine looks like, but I don’t care right now. “I’ve been thinking about looking for another job. As much as I love visiting new places, I’m tired all the time.”

  His eyes light up and the ghost of a smile crosses his lips. “Really? Have you already started looking?”

  Shaking my head, I sigh. “Not yet. I want to be sure before I do anything. It’s just a thought for now.”

  “What would you want to do?”

  I shrug and the blanket covering us is pulled down just a little bit. “I don’t know. I thought maybe a travel agent. I’ve seen so much of the world, and I think I could be great at recommending travel destinations for others. I haven’t done any research into it, though.”

  “Take your time,” he brushes his lips across his forehead. “Do what is best for you. I won’t pressure you one way or another.”

  “That’s good to know.” I reach for the edge of the blanket and pull it off. His eyes go wide at my naked body, and he waggles his eyebrows. Before he has a chance to say anything at all, I put my finger against his lips. “We don’t have time for that. We need to get ready. You’re supposed to be at the airport in less than two hours.”

  Instead of waiting for a response, I slide out of bed and walk toward the bathroom. I haven’t even made it to the door when he comes up behind me and sweeps me into his arms. “There’s always time. And we can scrub each other down in the shower.”

  There’s no point in arguing with him. I’ll just enjoy my time with him while he’s here. There’s no use denying either one of us of what we want. I’ll save the goodbyes when he walks to security.

  Twenty-Three

  Bentley

  “Why are you rushing to the locker room?” Jordan calls from behind me. “It’s not going anywhere. It’s in the same spot it always is.” He’s quiet as I hurry along the hallway. “Unless, it has to do with Jolene…” He lets the sentence trail off. He knows damn well why I always rush to the locker room after practices and games.

  “I want to see if she has a date that she’s flying here for a couple of days. My mom has been driving me crazy trying to pin something down.” She texts or calls me every sin
gle day lately. It’s not exactly unusual for her, except her calls never start with when do I get to meet Jolene? And now…they do. She even has Gabby on my case. Like I can somehow magically clear Jolene’s schedule for her. It’s even trickier since we both have such insane work lives. And not to mention she lives in a different damn state. It’d be a hell of a lot easier if she did have a stationary job, that’s for sure.

  “You’ll get it figured out, man.” He pats my shoulder. When the hell did he catch up to me. I know he has long legs, but shit. That was quick. “I’m guessing things are going well with the two of you?”

  “Yeah, it’s going pretty good.” Better than that actually. Even with the rushed phone calls between flights or after games, we manage to make time for each other. “Though I’m getting nervous.”

  “Why?” Ross joins the conversation. “Every time I see you two, you look pretty confident about each other.”

  “I don’t know,” I shrug as we enter the locker room. “I think this might be the real thing. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I damn sure never took anyone home to meet my mom and sister.”

  “Your mom didn’t really give you a choice since that reporter tried getting information out of you.” He heads to his locker and pulls out his gym bag. “Have you heard from her again? I mean, since you shut her down at the court that day?”

  “Nope,” I shake my head and pull my phone out of my bag. “My agent hasn’t said anything and she hasn’t tried hitting me up on any of my social media. Hopefully, I won’t have to deal with her again.” Damn. No messages show up on my screen. She must not be off her flight yet.

  “I hope so,” Jordan says. “She’s bad news all over. If she does come at you again. You need to call your agent or one of the managers because she will wreck your shit if she can.”