We place our order. Grilled chicken for me, and a steak for her. One of my favorite things about her is she’s not scared to eat an actual meal in front of me. Most women order a salad and then look like they are hungry for the rest of the date. Jolene, on the other hand, is a person unto herself. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks, especially me. Even if things feel off, at least I know she’s not going to fake anything.
“Are you excited about meeting my mom?” I have to ask something because this silence is different than other times. It feels deafening instead of being a comfort. I don’t understand what happened. She seemed happy to see me when I got on the plane, but I could be wrong.
“Yeah,” she mumbles around a bite of her food. “I’m kind of nervous, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
That was a very direct answer and held very little enthusiasm. I swear. It’s like we’ve fallen into an alternate dimension or something. Things haven’t been right between us since she saw the magazine cover. But surely that isn’t what is bothering her. And if it was…she should feel like she can talk to me about it. At least I hope that’s the case. “They’re excited to meet you.”
“I am, too,” she replies after another bite, but she looks over my shoulder and raises her eyebrows.
“What is it?” The urge to turn around is strong, but I don’t want to bring any unnecessary attention to us if I don’t need to.
“There’s a woman standing outside the window with a huge camera.” Damn it. Not this again. “She has it pointed directly at us.”
“Maybe it’s an excited fan.” I start to turn around. I need to see what she’s so freaked out about. There’s also a chance that it’s that crazy ass reporter from the game in Missouri. And if it is, I need to know.
“No,” Jolene stops me. “We don’t need to bring any more attention than we already have.”
“We can always get the rest of our stuff to go and head back to the hotel. They don’t allow anyone up to the floor the players are on. Well, unless someone approves them beforehand.”
“We can finish dinner. If we’re going to be together, this is something I have to get used to, right?” Her voice is shaky, and I want nothing more than to pull her into a hug. To do anything that reassures her that everything is fine. She doesn’t stop staring over my shoulder for another few minutes. “Okay, she’s gone.” The way her shoulders sag breaks me. This isn’t the life she wants, and here I am dragging her into it without asking if she was okay with it.
“I’m sorry.” Both of our plates are almost empty when I finally have the nerve to open my mouth.
“For what?” she sets her fork down and takes a sip of her water.
“For bringing you into this life. You asked me at the game to keep your identity on the down low, and then those damn pictures show up on the front page of a shitty magazine. And now,” I wave a hand behind me toward the window. “We have people trying to encroach on our dinner plans. You didn’t ask for any of this.”
She takes a deep breath and reaches across the table, placing her hand on mine. “It’s not ideal, but it’s not all that bad either. I realized early on what dating you would mean. I just wish it wasn’t at the expense of our privacy.”
“It’s par for the course. I’ll have to ask Ross how he gets around without the media catching on. I might be able to learn a thing or two from him.”
Her head bobbles up and down in agreement. “Let’s get out of here. I’m ready to go to the room.” Her mouth is tight even though she’s smiling. This is not how I expected our weekend to go.
“That’s a good idea,” I agree. “What time is your flight tomorrow?”
“Early,” she shrugs. “I’ll probably have to head out when you wake up, maybe even before.”
“Okay.” I don't know what else I’m supposed to say. But everything with us felt forced tonight. Like we’re going through the motions, but there’s no feeling or passion behind it. Nothing like we’ve had before. “We’ll go get some rest. If I had known, I would have ordered in.”
She doesn’t say anything, and we head back to the hotel. I don’t see anyone with cameras as we depart the restaurant, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. It’s going to be a long night of worrying for me.
Twenty-Six
Jolene
“Dude,” Lana scolds me as I place things into my suitcase and then take them back out. “Stop it. If you keep changing your mind, you're going to end up going naked.”
“That’s not even funny.” What does one wear to meet parents? A dress? Dress pants? I’m completely out of my element here and worry one tiny mistake will derail everything. Sure, I acted unaffected when we were at dinner the other night, but that was me lying to myself thinking I could do this. “I have no idea what to wear or do.”
Lana shakes her head at me and forces me to sit on the bed. “I’ll pack for you. You have an entire weekend to yourself with your man. Meeting his family is going to be easy, I promise.”
She can’t promise that, though. She adapts to every situation so easily. Me? I’m awkward and abrasive. I say and do the wrong things. “That’s not the only thing I’m worried about.”
“If you say you’re concerned about the media, I’ll pommel you. You knew what this would be like after you started researching him. You can’t believe everything a gossip magazine publishes. Nine times out of ten it’s complete bullshit.”
“Yeah, but what about that one time?” I mumble under my breath.
“You’re focusing on the wrong thing.” She goes to my underwear drawer and shuffles through it until she finds something sexy and throws it in the suitcase. “I know relationships are scary. It’s part of life. But he loves you.” I start to interrupt, but she glares at me. “He may not have said the words yet, but I know he does. You can tell by the way he looks at you, and how protective he is. If you have any doubts, then maybe you should question why you’re going to Austin in the first place.”
That’s the thing. I don’t have any doubts when it comes to him. It’s all the women that feel the need to throw themselves at him I’m not a fan of. How desperate do they have to be to do things like that? I don’t get it, and I probably never will. “Because despite the distance and all the crap I’ve found online, I’m right on the verge of loving him.”
“There’s your answer,” she sits next to me on the bed, packing my suitcase is abandoned for the time being. “Stop sweating the small stuff. And that’s all the other crap is. Small. Stuff. Focus on you and him. Everything else will work itself out.”
“I guess you’re right.” I know she is, but she’ll get big-headed about it if I tell her she absolutely is.
“I’m always right.” She squeezes me into a hug before jumping off the bed and raiding my closet. “It would probably be a lot easier on both of you if you let him mention you. Then all the other ball chasers will realize that he’s off the market.”
As much as I value my privacy, she might be right about that, too. I’ll have to talk to him about that when I see him. It’s something I’ve thought about but I didn’t want to jump the gun in case he’s not as serious about me as I am him. I don’t think I have anything to worry about, though. If he wasn’t serious, he wouldn’t have asked me to meet his mom. Right?
“I think that might be doable.” I peer into the suitcase to see what all she’s thrown in there. “You know I can’t wear half of that to meet his family.”
“Girl, you can wear a T-shirt and jeans to meet them. I’m packing your bag for all the sexy times you’re going to have in his gigantic house.”
“Why do I put up with you again?” This woman has completely lost her mind.
“Because you love me, and I’m family. You have to love family.”
She’s not wrong. She’s the only family I have since my blood relatives are assholes. “At least you know I love you.”
“I’m not sure how I’m going to feel about that once you start saying it to Bentley.” She puts one
more item in my bag and closes the top. “Don’t be surprised if I get a little jealous. I’ve had you to myself for so long.”
“I’m more concerned with what you’re going to do when I’m no longer flying.”
“I guess you found a job?” That pulls some of the excitement down. I hate that she thinks I’m abandoning her, but I have to do what’s best for me.
“Not yet,” I sigh. “I haven’t even started researching anything. They have us on so many back-to-back flights, I can barely think straight.”
“I’ll support you no matter what.” She grabs my arms and pulls me up from the bed. “Now, let’s finish getting ready. We’ll have to leave soon.”
The phone rings and rings. Crap. Is he already at the stadium? I didn’t think he had to be there for a few more hours. Just before I think it will roll over to voicemail, he answers. “Whew, I almost missed your call. Are you already on the plane?”
“Not yet,” I sigh. “Lana and I are on the way, but there’s traffic everywhere. I have no clue what’s going on, but they need to get out of the way. We’ll get in trouble if we’re late again.” I give Lana some major side-eye. She’s the reason we’re always pushing our limits. One day I’ll be smart and ride on my own. I’ll miss these days, though. Not flying with my best friend, or seeing her, all the time will be weird.
“That sucks,” he laments. “Hopefully whatever is causing the jam clears up soon. I’m excited to see you, and so are Mom and Gabby.”
Nerves creep up all over again. Meeting his family is a big deal, and even though I’m trying to push my fears down, it’s hard. Lana’s pep talks can only do so much. It’s up to me to dispel them completely. “Yeah, I’m excited too.”
“You don’t have to lie. There’s nothing to worry about, though. They are going to love you.” He sounds so confident about it. “I have to get going soon. I have your tickets waiting for you at will call.”
“Tickets?” Who else is he expecting to come?”
“I had an extra one put with yours in case Lana came to the game as well.” It’s so sweet that he’s willing to include my best friend. “And if she can’t make it, there’s no harm done.”
“Thanks, Bentley. It means a lot.” So many people dismiss those I find valuable in my life, but he doesn’t. He’s willing to include Lana as much as he can. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours. You know, if this damn traffic jam goes away.”
“Anytime.” I can hear his grin through the phone. “I’ll be looking for you in the stands.”
“I’ll be there.” I hang up the phone and lean my head against the backseat of the cab. This thing is probably disgusting, but I don’t even have it in me to care. “Can I do this?”
“Look, babe,” she turns in the seat until she’s facing me. “I will not keep having this conversation with you. I love you, but you’re torturing yourself. What did I tell you before we left?”
“Don’t sweat the small stuff,” I answer, monotone.
“Exactly.” Her head bobs up and down. “Things will work out, and if they don’t, I’ll be right here.” She pauses, staring out the window, “but I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that.”
“I hope you’re right.” Being thrown to the side again is one of my worst fears. I never want to go through that again. Not that I can control it, but it’s why I’ve been so careful with my heart all this time. Until I met Bentley. He turned my entire world upside down and helped me realize I want something more. I want companionship.
Traffic finally clears up, and we’ve made it to the airport with minutes to spare. This is way too damn close to the time we have to come in for our flight. One day Lana will get her shit together and we’ll leave on time.
We’re speed walking to the gate and notice the words delayed on the giant screen. You have got to be fucking kidding me. “This can’t be happening,” I grumble.
“It’ll be fine. I’ll find out how long the delay is.” Lana rushes to the information desk between the two gates and speaks hurriedly to the man standing there. He tries to get a word in, and I wish I could hear what he’s saying, but I’m too far away. Lana talks over him, and he backs up a step. I’ve never seen him before, so he must be new. He obviously doesn’t know the force of nature my best friend can be. Especially when it’s helping me.
Lana turns and stomps back to me. A scowl on her face. Anger is not her best look. “What’s the verdict?” I ask.
“You’re not going to like it,” she sighs. When I don’t say anything she continues, “it looks like we’ll have a minimum of a two-hour delay.”
My mouth drops open. Oh no, this can’t be happening. I’ll miss the entirety of Bentley’s game. And that’s if we stick to the two-hour delay. If the man upstairs is looking out for me at all, whatever is causing it will go away quickly. “I need to text Bentley to let him know.” That’s the only thing I can think to say, and I’m not sure he’ll get the message. He usually turns his phone off when he gets to the stadium on game days.
“It’s a storm in our flight path that’s causing it. I’ll check the weather app in that area and see what it looks like.”
“Thanks.” I pull out my phone, hoping this isn’t a bad omen, to shoot off a text to Bentley.
Jolene: Our flight is delayed, but I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Fingers crossed I can at least meet him at the stadium.
I glance at my watch as the passengers get off the plane. I’ve always been patient with people taking their time, but tonight…I need them to pick up their step and get out of here already. From what I can tell, the Rattlers should be in the third quarter. If these people hurry, I can get the plane cleaned up and grab a cab to get me there as soon as the game is over.
Before the last passenger is even all the way out the door, I turn to the attendant’s station and grab the cleaning supplies. It’s time to get this show on the road so I can get out of here. I’m eager to see my guy, and that’s not going to happen until this thing is clean.
Heading toward the front of the plane, Lana stops me. “I’ve got this. You get out of here. I know you’ve already missed most of the game, but if you leave now, maybe you’ll get to see him afterward.”
“Are you sure?” She doesn’t need to take on my work because I have a boyfriend. “I don’t want you to bear all the responsibility of getting this done.”
“I’m sure,” she grins. “You being happy is the most important thing right now and cleaning up after all these people will not do that. Now, get out of here.”
I throw the cleaning supplies on the nearest seat and wrap my arms around her. “You are seriously the best. I owe you big time.”
“Yes, you do, and I’ll cash the favor in when you least expect it.” She disentangles herself from me and pushes me toward the door. “Go before I change my mind.”
Without another word, I grab my suitcase from the compartment and dash through the air bridge. Looking at my watch, I see how much time I might have. Good. Enough time to change before I grab a cab. I don’t want to show up in my uniform. I’m sweaty after being surrounded by so many people in an enclosed space. I rush into the closest bathroom and change. Sadly, I can’t do anything about my hair. It’ll just have to stay up until we get to his place. We aren’t supposed to go to his mom’s until tomorrow for lunch, and it’s a relief I don’t have to worry about my appearance too much right now. He’s used to seeing me like this.
I hurry by people coming and going through the airport until I’m in the pickup area. Luckily, there’s a cab waiting there, and it doesn’t look like there’s anyone waiting for it. I tap on the window and he waves for me to get in. I don’t bother putting my suitcase in the trunk. That takes too much time and unfortunately, it’s not something I have a lot of if I want to get to the stadium before he leaves.
Sliding the suitcase in before I sit down on the seat, I call out to the driver. “I need to get to the stadium.”
He looks over his shoulder at me, “
the game is almost over. Are you sure you don’t want to go anywhere else?”
“Yes,” I nod even though it’s dark and I’m not sure he can see it. “I need to go wherever the players leave from.”
“Ah,” he shakes his head. “I’ll get you there as soon as I can.”
I’m not sure what his head shake was about, but I have a feeling it’s not anything good. Oh well, I can’t think about that. I grab my phone out of my back pocket and search for the game. Trying to see how much longer I have. There are two minutes left in the last quarter and the Rattlers are up by ten points. By the time I get there, he should be walking out.
Headlights and taillights flash by as we make our way to the stadium. Traffic isn’t as heavy as I figured it would be, but I’m counting my blessings. The driver pulls around the back of the building and waits in a lengthy line of yellow cars. “We’re here.”
“Can I wait in here with you until they walk out? I don’t know the area very well and don’t want to wait out here alone.”
“There are people standing around everywhere.” He motions to the small groups of what I assume are fans milling around the exit. When he sees that I’m not going to budge, he sighs. “Yes, you can wait in here. But the time is still running.”
“That’s fine with me.” I stare out the window, waiting for some sign of the players leaving. After a few minutes, they file out one by one, some of them in pairs. Even when getting bombarded by fans wanting signatures, they smile and sign whatever is handed to them. Some even taking pictures.
I see Bentley’s silhouette as he walks out, and I open the car door. My heart speeds up at the sight of him. I thought this feeling would go away after two dates but hear it is, yet again.
He hasn’t seen me yet and I step out of the car, ready to rush toward him. Except a woman comes out behind him and wraps herself around him. I stop in my tracks. What the fuck? A part of me wants to call out and get this crazy lady off of him, but the other part…that part wants to see what he’s going to do.
Big Baller : A Hero Club Novel Page 19
