He’s not lying. I’ve caught them staring at each other like they’ve just started dating. It’s gross and hopeful at the same time. What has happened to me? I'm not that guy. The one who settles down with a nice girl and wants to wake up to the same person every morning. Except, I am. Jolene makes me want more than casual relationships and hookups. It’s like this whole new version of me is opening up. I’m not sure what to do about it.
Nope, right now isn't the time to think about that. I need to get my head on straight and focus. We have a game to win. I can’t do that if I let the beautiful brunette steal my attention every single time we call a timeout, or I’m on the bench. My team needs me to help them snag this game. Each win brings us closer and closer to the champion round. It doesn’t matter what it takes, I’ll make sure we get there.
* * *
The final buzzer goes off signaling our victory. The other team fought us all the way to the end, but we came out on top. Instead of going to the guys like I normally would, I head straight toward the stands. Jolene is on her feet next to Jordan's wife and Lana. The smile she is wearing is huge, and I'm happy to know that she was here cheering for me. I want this to be more than a onetime thing. I want her at all of my games, but that's not going to happen anytime soon. Not unless she changes her career. I may be a selfish asshole sometimes. But…I'm not the sort of person to force another to quit their job or change the entire life direction based on what I want. In my opinion, that would make me no better than my father, and that is the last person I want to emulate.
The moment she sees me, she stops cheering and walks toward me. I meet her halfway, sweeping her off the floor and twirling her around. "So how was your first game experience?"
She's laughing, and the sound fills me with joy. Knowing I’m the one that caused it. "It was great. And even better, you won.” I feel her gaze shift as she looks over my shoulder. “Um, Bentley. There are cameras pointed directly at us.”
I set her down, and she buries her face into my sweaty jersey. That has got to be disgusting, but she's obviously not ready for any sort of attention from the media. "Go back over there with Lana, and I'll deal with this."
"Just don't put my name out there. I'm not with you to become famous or anything, and I'd rather not have that focus." I didn’t even think about that when I came over here. All that was on my mind was getting to her.
"Okay. I won't say who you are." As soon as her back is to me, I turn around to face the reporters.
"Bentley, Bentley." My name is shouted from four different directions, and I'm not sure who to address first. Most of the fans have cleared the stands and all that’s left are the reporters and players. Some of my own teammates are pulled into interviews all around the court. One reporter from a smaller sports network stands out because she's not fighting for my attention. I don’t know much about her, but I’ve seen her around here and there. I walk toward her, and she grins, knowing she played her cards right. By being patient and not loud or obnoxious has led me to her camera.
"Hi, Bentley. I’m Savannah with Sports Network. As the only rookie this year for the Austin Rattlers, you're garnering a lot of attention. What does it feel like gaining popularity so quickly?"
"I'm not sure how I feel, honestly. I didn't get drafted to the team because I wanted to be famous. I worked my ass off to make sure this team picked me up because I love the sport. I love playing for my home city. I do the same thing I've done since I was a kid." None of this is a lie. I’ve given so many variations of this response, it comes out of my mouth without much thought.
She leans closer to me with her microphone. As if she’s conspiring with me. “And what's that?"
"I go out there and play. I give it my everything and do the best I can to support my teammates."
"Pretty soon you'll be surpassing your teammates." She winks at me like it’s a secret. I will outperform some of the other players. But it’s not my intention to brag about it. They are still my teammates, and we’re a unit. Being a dick, on camera, isn’t going to win me any favors with Coach, or the guys.
Shaking my head, I answer, "That's not what I'm after. You can't get on that court and win a game without the other players."
Her smile widens, and I'm a little nervous about the sudden gleam in her eye. Maybe it was a bad decision to pick her to talk to out of all the reporters, but it's too late to worry about that now. "Well, I can't wait to see what you do with your career."
"Thanks, I'm excited to see what the Rattlers can do this season."
"If it's anything like what you all have done, I know you'll be headed to the Championships.” She raises an eyebrow, and I'm the only one that can see it because she is off-camera. I have a feeling I’m not going to like what comes out of her mouth next. "Maybe that pretty young lady over there will join you on your journey."
Yup, she's just like the gossip magazines. Rather than focusing on the game, she's doing all she can to pry into my life. I'm not going to give her the satisfaction of getting a peek into my personal life. That's nobody's business but my own. "Well, the Championship is what we're working toward.”
Rather than give her a chance to dig a little more, I turn my back toward her and head to the locker rooms. This is what Jordan has been trying to prepare me for. Why he's tried to be such a parent-like figure and lead me toward better choices.
Speak of the devil, he's waiting for me at the end of the hallway leading toward the locker room. "You did good out there."
"Is that what it was like when you first started playing? They did everything they can to delve into your personal life?" I’ve done plenty of after game interviews, and that’s the most personal it’s ever gotten.
"Some of them, yes. But most of the reporters want to know about the game." He nods to the one who was just talking to me, and who is still staring at me. "You have to watch out for that one, though. She likes to act like she's following your career, but all she does is stir up drama."
"How do you know that?" Not that I'm arguing. I saw the look in her eye right before she decided to ask me about Jolene.
"She hasn't done anything to me personally, but some of the guys on the other teams say she's a problem."
"That's good to know. Now let's go get cleaned up and take our ladies out for a night on the town." It’s a well-deserved reward after the way we played tonight.
He slaps me on the back and chuckles. "Look at you. All serious in your relationship."
"Shut up, man." We both turn and walk down the hallway. I'm definitely going to keep my eye on this new reporter chick because I smell trouble. I’m not afraid to deal with whatever comes my way, but I don’t want Jolene pulled into it.
* * *