The Game-Kirsten Backhard

by Shawnte Borris

  She laughed. “Thanks.”

  I placed one hand on her waist and slowly slid my other one up to her breasts. God, I’ve missed her.

  That was when a knock interrupted us.

  “Would it be rude if I told whoever it is to fuck off?” I mumbled.

  Just like that, Kirsten’s mood changed, like a bucket of cold water was poured on her.

  “This should never have happened,” she said, moving away from me.

  What?

  “I’m sorry, Drew.”

  After another knock, the office door started to gradually open.

  “Is this a bad time?” my dad asked while walking into the office.

  “No, it’s perfect timing actually,” replied Kirsten as she walked to the door, straightening her outfit.

  I let out a frustrated sigh. I just stood there, staring at Kirsten, while she was talking to my father. What the fuck just happened? Why is she so fucking determined to stay away from me? Damn it, I know she still loves me. If she thinks for one minute that I am going to back off, she can guess again. She’ll be in my arms again, and when she is…I’m never letting go.

  “I know that this was really unprofessional of me, but I promise you that I worked them over. You’ll get a better deal for everyone,” she said, looking at me at last.

  “I don’t know about that,” I said.

  “Sir, Drew is a friend of mine, and I can’t let him or anyone he loves down. I’d like to finish what I started.” She looked at me again. “If you want me to go, I’ll understand.”

  I looked into her eyes, and I only felt pain from hearing her refer to me as her friend.

  “Please stay. My dad could use all the help he can get. We both know that my negotiating face sucks.”

  “Mr. Parker?”

  “Sweetheart, you had that redheaded kid eating out of your hands as soon as you walked into the room, and at the end, I think Ethan realized that you are not a force to be messed with.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled.

  “Shall we go back in?” Mr. Parker opened the door.

  I grabbed her elbow before she could leave. “Kirsten…”

  She turned around and placed her hand on my cheek. “You’re welcome.” Then, she gave me a distant smile before heading back to the room.

  When I walked out of the office, my dad slapped me on the back of my head.

  “What the hell was that for?” I asked, rubbing the now tender spot.

  “Dumbass,” was all he said before walking back into the board room.

  I was guessing he’d just figured out why I’d been in a shitty mood lately.

  After entering the room, Dad and I sat back in our chairs and watched Kirsten do her thing.

  I knew nothing was going to get by her, and I was confident that she would ensure my father would walk away with what he deserved. If God answers this prayer for my dad, maybe he’ll listen to mine?

  Kirsten sat down giving everyone a chance to get comfortable again.

  “Well, gentlemen, what have you come up with?” she asked.

  “We have decided that we will offer you two hundred thousand dollars more for the company and another one hundred thousand for the name P&P,” replied Stewart.

  How much are they offering? I heard my dad take in a deep breath.

  “Why do you want the name P&P?” I asked.

  “Because it has become a household name, a name that authors can trust,” Stewart added.

  “A reputation like that is hard to buy, correct?” Kirsten said smoothly.

  “It is. That is why in addition to the one hundred thousand, we will keep all the staff employed here, so that connection will remain in place. Either Stewart or I will oversee this office personally,” Ethan said.

  “I see,” was all Kirsten said.

  “You want more?” asked Stewart in astonishment.

  The room was dead silent. Dad and I both whipped our heads to Kirsten, waiting for her response. She broke the silence by shuffling a few papers around before grabbing her cell phone.

  She looked Ethan straight in the eyes. “Look, I’m very good at playing this game, and I always come in after doing my homework. I make sure I understand the men who I am dealing with. So, yes, I’m asking for more.”

  “You’re unbelievable,” boiled Ethan.

  Dad and I just sat there with our mouths hanging open. Fiery, business woman Kirsten was fucking hot. She was so serious when she did business. Jesus Christ, she is amazing.

  “I don’t have time to sit here and have this pissing match. I have other offers from four other companies who are high competitors of yours. They are more than willing to make us an offer—an offer that won’t be insulting or a waste of Mr. Parker’s time.” She lifted her cell phone. “I have them all on speed dial.”

  I couldn’t believe that she could just sit here, looking all calm, cool, and collected. My dad and I looked at each before we turned attention back to then across the table.

  “Mr. Parker…” Ethan started.

  “You heard what Ms. Backhard had to say. Now, the ball is in your court,” my dad said.

  “Fine,” Stewart seethed. “What else do you want?”

  Kirsten kept going. “We both know that P&P appraised at over the amount you have offered, so bring that total up to seven hundred thousand and give us two hundred thousand on top of that for the trusted household name. Plus, you have to keep all the staff and agree not to let anyone go or cut back their pay, healthcare, or holidays for at least two years.”

  “You can’t—” stumbled Ethan.

  “I believe she just did,” I said with a huge smile as I put my hand on her knee.

  “Also…Mr. Parker gets to keep fifteen percent out of the thirty percent on all the sales the company makes until the end of the year.”

  Ethan stood up. “That’s highway robbery!”

  “Take it or leave it, Mr. Thompson,” Kirsten stated very firmly.

  Leaning over to my dad, I whispered, “Holy shit, Dad.”

  Ethan and Kirsten stared at each, making the room even more tense. Stewart finally stepped in. “We’ll take it. You play a dirty game, Ms. Backhard.”

  Ethan threw his things into his briefcase and looked at dad. “Once our lawyer has a new contract in place, we will be contacting you.”

  My dad smiled. “I will, and thank you. It’s been a pleasure doing business with you.”

  After they left, my dad went up and gave Kirsten the biggest hug. “Thank you, Kirsten. I don’t even know what to say.” He hugged her again.

  “You’re most welcome.” She let out a little giggle.

  I love that sound.

  My dad was beyond ecstatic. “I’m going to call my wife and take her out for a celebration lunch.” He just shook his head. “I just can’t believe this, Drew.”

  I smiled as he left the room.

  As Kirsten started putting papers into her briefcase, I stood there, stunned.

  “How did you know what my dad’s company was really worth?” I asked, putting my hands on top of hers.

  “I didn’t.”

  What? “What about the worth of the P&P name?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “Lucky guess.”

  Un-fucking-believable. With that news, I had to sit down. “So, let me get this straight. You had absolutely no idea how much P&P or its name was worth?”

  Words were coming out of her mouth, but I didn’t hear a single word. I just wanted to gather her up like a caveman, take her home, and make mad love to her until she realized that we were always meant to be together.

  “Is that why you paraded around your peacock?” I smirked.

  “What?” she asked, stunned.

  “You let them see your peacock.” I laughed.

  “I’m gonna kill Liz.”

  We both stood up and headed toward the door.

  I wrapped my arms around her. “Thank you, Kirsten.”

  “Anytime you need me, Drew, just ask. I will alw
ays be here for you.”

  I looked her in the eyes and kissed her.

  Kirsten pulled back with her hand on the door, but I wasn’t ready to let her go.

  “Have lunch with me?” I asked.

  She looked down at her shoes. “I can’t. I have a plane to catch.” Then, she walked out the door and didn’t look back.

  I sat down and put my head in my hands, taking a few deep breaths. It was time to put my plan into action. No more waiting. I grabbed my cell phone, made a call, and put an offer in on the house next door to Brad’s.

  This had been the longest weeks of my life. I hadn’t been home once during the past six weeks. I was so fucking sick of living out of a suitcase and eating shitty hotel food. Heading to my brother’s place, I just wanted to soak in the tub and chill out. I missed my friends and my family. Without them, the fact was that I had no life.

  Derek: Sis, what are you up to?

  Me: Just got to your house. What’s up?

  Derek: Catching the game with the boys. You in?

  Me: I’m really tired.

  Derek: Fuck off. We haven’t seen you in forever.

  Me: Fine.

  Derek: See you in a few.

  This was the one thing that I loved about my brother. Derek always checked in to see what I was doing and where I would be. If I was in town, he always invited me to join him and his boys. However, I wasn’t really sure if it was always my brother extending the invitation. There were times when I was sure his friends wanted to see me.

  After a long shower, I dried my hair and added a bit of makeup. I threw on my football jersey, black yoga pants—of course, with no panties—and my sneakers. I didn’t worry about carrying cash with me because I never paid for anything. Mic had stopped charging me for anything after he’d found me making out with his son, Ty, in the storage room.

  “Look what the cat dragged in!” yelled Mic when he saw me step inside his sports bar.

  “Hey, Mic!” I shouted back. “How have you been?”

  I hopped onto a bar stool and leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek.

  “Real good, sweetheart. What can I get you?” He smiled.

  “My usual sounds pretty amazing right about now.”

  “Still drinking like a man, I see.” Mic chuckled.

  “What can I say? I need to keep my brother in check.” I looked around the bar. “Is he here yet?”

  “The boys got here a little while ago. They are in the back pool hall.” Mic gestured toward the back door of the bar.

  “Pool hall?”

  “Yeah, I remodeled the back a bit. We put the rowdies in there to give them more of a private setting.”

  “Speaking of rowdies, how’s your son?” I grabbed my beer and took a long drink. Bud is the best beer.

  “Ty is good. He and Sophie are expecting baby number two right away.” Mic winked at me. “That could have been you. You would have been my favorite.”

  “Mic…” I shook my head, “You and I both know that I didn’t need to marry Ty to be your favorite.” I smiled at him.

  “Guess you’re right when you put it that way.” Mic smirked.

  “I’m just not one to settle down.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Send a round for the boys and put it on my tab, please,” I said sweetly, knowing he wouldn’t make me pay even when I insisted.

  I grabbed my new beer and walked around the sports bar to see all the changes that Mic and Ty had done. A hand reached around my waist, and I could feel someone breathing into my hair.

  “Hello, beautiful.”

  Before I had time to answer, I was over Adam’s shoulder, heading toward the rest of the guys.

  “Check out what Mic has been hiding from us!” He spanked my ass while turning me toward the rest of the guys.

  I pushed my way up his back to face everyone. “Hey, bitches!” I laughed.

  “Adam, for fuck’s sake, stop touching my sister’s ass and put her down!” roared my overprotective brother, stalking toward me.

  Derek took me out of Adam’s embrace and gave me a bear hug. “Hey, sis. I missed you,” he whispered into my ear.

  “Thanks for the invite,” I barely breathed out.

  Just as Derek was putting me down, a cute little blonde girl came in with the round of drinks I’d ordered. I looked at Derek as he went to help her with the drink tray. When he looked my way, I lifted my eyebrow at him.

  I mouthed, You fucking her?

  He shook his head no with a smirk.

  After the blonde left, I asked, “What about Jennifer? Remember her? I had to switch out my office chair, asshole. I really liked that chair.”

  “Really, Kirsten? Is that all you think of me? That I just care about sex?” My asswipe brother pretended to look wounded.

  “Oh my god! You like her,” I said, shocked.

  “Shut up,” growled Derek.

  “Who likes who?” asked Drew.

  Where did he come from? I hadn’t seen him when I came in, and Mic had failed to mention that Drew was here. Stupid guy code.

  “Derek is tapping my sexatary,” I said, challenging my brother with my hands on my hips.

  “If you’ll excuse me,” Derek said.

  I quickly grabbed the back of his jersey, pulling him backward. “Shit, you really like her?” I asked, astounded.

  “Shut up and get back to drinking,” he seethed in between his teeth.

  I missed him.

  I hugged him before I made my way over to the rest of the guys. Grabbing hugs, I said my quick hellos before the game started. I couldn’t help but notice the way Drew kept looking at me. It was like he’d found his lost puppy.

  “Drew, stop eye-fucking me.” I joked.

  That grabbed his attention—not like I didn’t have it already—along with everyone else’s, too.

  “What the fuck?” Drew asked, rubbing his stomach.

  “I told you, my sister isn’t something to ogle at. When she’s here, she’s just one of the guys.” Derek headed to the back of the room to grab some food. “She is still my sister.” Then, he started laughing.

  “Yeah, just like one of the guys…with a great set of tits,” someone said from the doorway.

  All of our heads turned.

  “Holy shit, Caleb! What are you doing here?” I squealed, running over to see him.

  “Well, I heard this was the best place for beer and wings on game nights,” he said.

  “Who’s this?” asked Drew.

  I didn’t appreciate his tone. If anyone had the right to have a pissing contest, it would be me. I wonder how hard it would be to write my name in the snow.

  “Hi, I’m Caleb.” He lifted a hand to shake Drew’s. “Kirsten and I work together. I’m just visiting my relatives for the weekend, but no one there enjoys sports. Do you mind if I join you guys?”

  “Fuck no!” I said a little too excitedly.

  “Any friend of my sister’s is more than welcome to join us,” Derek said with a smile, looking over at Drew.

  What does my bro have up his sleeve? I could already see the wheels turning.

  After introducing him to everyone, I left to get Caleb and me another drink. Something stronger this time.

  “Did you fuck him, too?” seethed Drew, grabbing my elbow.

  I whipped my head around. “Excuse me?” I am just about ready to pummel Drew’s ass.

  “What do you mean, excuse me? It’s obvious that something happened between you two. A guy doesn’t walk into a room full of people he doesn’t know, commenting on your ‘great set of tits’ unless—”

  “Drew, I highly suggest you get your fucking hand off me,” I growled, ripping my arm out of his grasp. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?” Fuck!

  “Never mind.” Drew stalked off toward the restrooms.

  I shook my head and went to the bar. I ordered a shot of tequila and immediately downed it. I hope this calms my nerves, so I don’t punch Drew in the fucking face.

 
“Are you blind? You dumbass!” I yelled at the TV along with the rest of the guys. This game is going nowhere and fast. “Oh, come on!” I grabbed another shot of whiskey off the table. “The damn refs are just going to give it to them anyway,” I argued with my brother.

  “No way, Kirsten. He called it fair and square,” countered Derek.

  I went to stand up to get in my brother’s face, but I ended up slipping on the floor, almost landing in the plate of hot wings in front of me.

  “Whoa, Kirsten.” Caleb caught me with one arm around my chest and the other on my ass. “I think you better slow down a bit.”

  “Dude, get your fucking hands off my sister’s ass!” Derek yelled.

  “Or I’ll remove them for you,” seethed Drew.

  I looked up at the two of them and started laughing. “Shit, the safest place for my tits and ass is in Caleb’s hands.”

  Both men looked at each other.

  “Guys, I’m gay.” Caleb laughed.

  “Besides,” I said, grabbing a wing, “Caleb and I have slept together more times than I can count, so relax.”

  On my second attempt to head to the ladies’ room, Caleb helped me up.

  He whispered in my ear, “You okay to go on your own?”

  I nodded and headed to the restroom. As soon as I walked in, I started washing my hands to get the sticky wing sauce off of me. Then, the door opened, and Derek walked in.

  “Can you believe that last call?” I whined.

  “Kirsten, what are you doing?” he asked.

  “Washing my hands. What does it look like? And what are you doing, brother, in the girls’ loo?”

  “Why do you insist on punishing him?” asked Derek.

  “What are you talking about?” I looked him in the eye. You know nothing, so shut up.

  “He said he was sorry. When are you going to forgive him?”

  “Forgive him for what?” Now, I was toe-to-toe with my brother.

  “Oh, come on, Kirsten, get your head out of your ass. I know everything.”

  That fucker told my brother everything! “Look, nothing happened. What I think I saw…wasn’t.” I shrugged as if the case were closed.