I back up. Jordan and Ross were right. This chick is off her rocker. “Excuse me? Where the fuck did you get that idea?”
Hurt flashes across her face. “Why else did you talk to me after the game in Missouri? Especially when there were a dozen other reporters to go to. You can’t say it has nothing to do with my looks.”
I’m speechless for a few moments, and that doesn’t happen often. I’ve talked to her once. I’m not sure how she conceived this idea in her head. “Because you were the only one not in my face with a microphone.”
Her head snaps back as if she was slapped. I can’t believe I’m even having to deal with this. “I assumed you were into me after making it apparent that the woman you were with was a friend. And honestly, I can do so much more for your career than she ever could. You need to be with someone that knows the business.”
“You’re nuts,” I yell. A few of the people still hanging out after the game turn toward us, waiting to see what drama unfolds. I don’t want to deal with this publicly, but it’s the only way she's going to get it through her head to stay away from me. “It doesn’t matter what I called her. She wasn’t ready to be put in the spotlight and I was respecting that. And I know you had something to do with getting those pictures of me and her and the prior women I’ve been with put into that gossip magazine.” I point my finger toward her without getting any closer. “I should have never given you that interview, and if you come near me, or her, again…I will file a restraining order.”
“How are you going to do that?” She crosses her arms over her chest, nonchalant. “I’m part of the press. I have a right to be at the games.” Is this lady serious? Being a part of the press doesn’t mean you get to be an asshole. And that’s what she's doing right now.
“I’m sure your bosses would think otherwise if I go to them with this stunt you pulled.” My voice is low and steady, letting her know it’s more than just a threat. I’ll get all the other players she’s harassed together so they can give their accounts. This woman isn’t here for the right reasons, that much is obvious. She’s only trying to catch herself a gravy train to a life she thinks she deserves. “I want you to stay far away from me, or I’ll make sure those press privileges are revoked.”
Instead of giving her a chance to reply, I turn toward the parking garage and rush to my car. This delusional woman has just fucked up the best thing that has happened to me. I need to fix it, and there is only one place Jolene would go.
Twenty minutes later, I’m pulling into a parking spot at the airport. I run inside, and I don’t care if I look like an insane person. Most people would if they were searching for the woman they love. It’s scarcer here at night than it is during the day. That should make it easy to spot Jolene, but I don’t see her anywhere. Surely, she hasn’t already boarded another plane and left. It’s impossible, though. It’s not like International Airlines only has one plane coming and going at a time. Shit.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and tap her name. Straight to voicemail. Damn it. No ring, nothing. Just her voice telling me to leave a message. My next best option is Lana. Maybe she’ll answer.
I look for her contact information in my phone and send her a text. I would call her, but it’s late and I don’t know where or what she’s doing. A part of me is hesitant to hear what she has to say. She’s protective of Jolene, and I understand why, but it’d be nice to explain the situation and maybe she could help me.
While I wait, I search the flights that are going out. There isn’t another one heading to Missouri until tomorrow. Hell, I don’t even know if that’s where she went. For all I know, she could be on a flight to California. I assume she has some perks to being a flight attendant and can ride on pretty much any plane her company owns.
My phone dings with a notification as I head to the ticket counter and I slide it open hoping it’s a message from Jolene. I’d be happy to hear from Lana at this point. My heart sinks when I realize what it is. It’s my reminder for the next game. The day after tomorrow. There’s no way I can fly out and make it back in time. I must wait and see if I can get a hold of her. If she’ll answer me at all.
Defeated, I walk out of the airport. This was supposed to be an amazing weekend. I had plans. She’d meet Mom and Gabby, and I was going to tell her I loved her. That she’s it for me, but I guess I don’t mean the same to her. She didn’t even give me a chance.
I get in my car and head toward the only place that could bring me comfort.
* * *
It feels weird letting myself into Mom’s house since I don’t live here anymore. The house is dark, and I know both her and Gabby are in bed. I thought about knocking, but I didn’t want to wake them. It’s after midnight and they’ve both worked all day. I just didn’t know where else to go. My house isn’t an option. Not filled with its bare walls and all the preparations I made to wine and dine Jolene. It’s a reminder of what I’ve always felt. Of what I knew my life would be like. I honestly believed all that would change with Jolene by my side, but she’s not here and I can’t go there.
There’s an old, worn out blanket folded across the couch and I pull it off before lying down. I don’t bother finding a place to plug my phone in. The odds of her calling me are slim to none. Hell, I’ll be lucky if I ever hear from her again.
In all of my dating years, I’ve never truly felt the loss of someone you love. The only thing that comes close is when Dad bailed. When he decided we weren’t enough for him anymore. It’s like being punched in the gut and being told you’re not worthy. Maybe I’m not. I never took relationships seriously before. I never let a woman completely turn my life upside down. I’ve never met a woman who’d make me question my own fears and push them down. The moment I do, she does exactly what I’ve always feared. Jordan was right when he told me I needed to calm my ass down when I signed on. That I needed to stay out of the eyes of the press because it’s those past one-night stands that put me in this position. Well, that reporter is partially to blame as well. She definitely didn’t help matters. But I should have taken precautions when the magazine showed up. I should have put a stop to it then. But I didn’t take it seriously. My eyes drift close as all the ways I’ve fucked this up play through my mind.
“Wake up, Stupid.” Those are the words I hear as a hand slaps my face harder than necessary. “I know you hear me. Open your damn eyes.”
“What the fuck, Gabby?” I push her away before sitting up. “Is that how you greet all your guests?”
She shrugs and sits cross-legged on the floor beside the couch. “Only when they are uninvited. Why are you even here? Shouldn’t you be home with Jolene?”
Everything that happened last night flashes through my head. Yeah, that’s where I should be, but it’s not because I’m an idiot. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Well, too damn bad. You don’t get that choice since you snuck in here while we were sleeping and crashed on the couch.” She leans back waiting for me to say something, but that’s not going to happen. “Should I go wake Mom up? I’m sure she’d be interested in why you’re here.”
“She’s not up yet?” I glance around the living room for some sign of what time it is. “What time is it?”
“I don’t know. Around six or seven? I had to go to the restroom and was surprised to see you sprawled out on the couch like you used to do when we were kids. I figured I’d give you a little wake up call.”
“You’re an asshole,” I mutter, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. Scooting over, I make space for her on the couch. “Get off the floor.”
“Only if you tell me what happened and why Jolene isn’t with you.” She’s not going to let up. I forgot how annoying it can be around my big sister.
“Fine. If it’ll make you shut up.”
She gets off the floor and settles into the corner of the couch. “Okay, now talk.” She pulls the blanket off of me and pulls it over herself. She’s so annoying. There are many times I wish I was an only child, but then I would have been lonelier than I am now.