"That depends, what sort of things do you like?"
"As much as you probably don't agree, I'm actually a simple guy. Cheese or pepperoni are what I stick to."
While I am shocked by his choices, it seems a little boring. "Okay, you wait here and I'll go order the pizza."
There’s a line at the counter, and I walk to the back. As I’m standing there, two women break from the line and head straight toward Bentley. I guess his presence in the small pizzeria didn’t go as unnoticed as he hoped. A pang hits as they sit down, exactly where I just vacated, and start a conversation. I wish I could see him. Even if this is only a one-time thing, it hurts that he’s talking to other women while he’s on a date with me. One of the women leans over the table, showing off her cleavage and I want to do something to let them know he’s here with me. I’m not sure where this possessive streak has come from, and I don’t know if I like it or not.
Before I do anything drastic, like turn around and stride right out the door, Bentley scoots his chair back. What’s he going to do? Leave with the beautiful women by his side? I’m seconds away from leaving, but he surprises me. He’s by my side in less than a minute. “Do you want to get out of here?”
I peer over his shoulder and notice the two women staring, wide mouthed. I guess they didn’t think he’d walk away from them. “That sounds like a fantastic idea.” My pizza craving will have to wait. He left those two who no doubt offered him more than I’m willing to, and now I want to see the layers this man has to be hiding. There’s no way he’s arrogant and sweet. Or, maybe, he’s trying to get more from me that I’m willing to give. Either way, I want to find out.
Nine
Bentley
Sometimes I wonderwhat is wrong with people. I’m not even that famous. Rookies should not get this much attention. In most cases…they wouldn’t. The only reason they even know who I am is because I helped demolish the home team last night.
Those women saw me sitting with Jolene. They were waiting for their opportunity to pounce. I smiled and nodded along to whatever they were saying. I’m almost certain they told me their names, but I forgot them the second they were spoken. Too dumbfounded with their audacity when they could see I was here with someone.
These are the women I usually take home when I’m in Austin. The sort of women Jordan warns me about daily. I’ve always let it go in one ear and out the other. There was never a reason not to live my life to the fullest. To take advantage of all the perks for being a professional athlete. Until now. Until her.
I could feel Jolene’s eyes on me the entire time. If I didn’t do something fast, she’d be gone. My thought was almost a reality when I left the table and saw her turning toward the door. I can’t let her see what my life normally is. Not if I want her to give me a chance.
It’s a beautiful, but cool day, in Chicago, and I wish I would have brought my jacket. Jolene isn’t fazed as she walks down the sidewalk beside me. She must be from a northern state. There’s no way anyone from the South could handle this without freezing their ass off. “Where do you want to go now?” Her voice breaks into my thoughts.
“I have no idea. You probably know this city better than I do.” She seems more closed off now than she did when she walked into the pizzeria. I know it has to do with the unwelcome table crashers. “Look, I’m sorry about that back there. I was hoping since I’m not in my home city I wouldn’t be as recognizable.”
“It doesn’t help that you played your ass off last night and stomped them,” she laughs.
I turn my head toward her, my mouth lifting into a grin. “So, you watched the game last night?”
Shaking her head, she sighs. Busted. “I may have caught the highlights during the news.”
“Good to know.” She totally watched the game. “I’m kind of surprised you weren’t out on the town. The flight landed early.”
“I’m not much of a party animal. I spend so much time in the air that I want nothing more than a bed to take a nap. It’s one of the things I miss the most.”
“Don’t you typically get to sleep in an actual bed?” That’s such a weird thing to miss.
She shrugs her shoulders, but angles her body closer to mine. Progress, maybe? “Yeah for the most part. But I was doing international flights for a long time and sometimes we’d have to sleep during the flight. Those small cots aren’t very comfortable.”
I rear back, eyes wide. “I didn’t even know planes had beds on them.”
“You also don’t fly very much.” She bumps her shoulder into mine, “You should try flying first class sometime. It’s much nicer up there than it is where you’ve been sitting.”
“Do you ever work first class?”
Jolene shakes her head. “Not often. I prefer being in coach. Lana loves working in that area, though.”
“Then I don’t see a reason for me to sit there.” I hold my hand out in the small space between us, hoping she’ll take it. One. Two. Three seconds pass before I think she’s not going to take it, but then her hand slides into mine. It’s soft and smooth against the roughness of my hand. “If I sat in first class, I wouldn’t be able to see you.”
She stops in her tracks, her hand ripping away from mine, and laughs loud and hard. I’d be surprised if people down the block can’t hear her. After a minute she gathers her composure and meets my eyes. “That has got to be the worst line I’ve ever heard.” I open my mouth to protest. I thought it was pretty smooth, but she stopped me. “I’m here, most likely against my better judgement. This is your time to shine and give me an amazing date, not give me cheesy pickup lines.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” I mutter under my breath.
“What was that?” She walks toward me, and I can’t stop staring at her legs peeking out from the bottom of her dress. It’s not short, but it has just the right amount of appeal. Showing me a little and making me wonder about the rest. She’s so different from anyone I’m typically drawn to, and that terrifies me.
“Nothing.” I play it off. As if she didn’t just deliver a blow to my ego. Those lines usually work on most women. “Is there anywhere close by where we could eat? It’s freezing out here.”