7
Bianca
What am I saying?I’m flirting with this guy, a person I barely know and someone I know is a player.Ready to throw away my promise to be celibate, man-free, and drama-free for as long as humanly possible.I’ve stayed strong for six months, barely leaving my apartment because the temptation only grew stronger over time.
“I could help you,” he offers, looking hopeful as he peers down at me, his hands on my hips.“Or maybe we can help each other.”
“Help each other?”My grip tightens on his biceps.
I’m completely feeling him up in front of all these people.I’m not even ashamed, and he seems to be enjoying it.I’ve never felt arms so big, and I imagine he could easily lift me off the ground.
He nods.“I’ll help you get back in the game, teaching you which assholes to avoid, and you can teach me how to be in a relationship without being such a self-absorbed dick.”
I laugh, but I like the idea.“I’m not sure anyone can be taught how to be in a relationship.Plus, I haven’t had much luck, so I don’t know if I’m the best teacher.”
For five years, I’ve had nothing but a string of shitty boyfriends.One after another, parading through my life like an endless season of bad reruns just with a different leading man.Kind of like in soap operas where they hire a new actor to play the same role.That’s been my love life in a nutshell.
“Well, one thing I know is assholes.”He smiles.“I can pick them out in a crowd in a few seconds.”
“Does it take one to know one?”I tease.
When I met Vinnie, I would’ve sworn he was a complete tool.But after the short amount of time I’ve spent with him, I’d say I was completely off base.I might still be right, though.Like I said…my asshole-finder is completely broken.But so far, he’s been nothing but a gentleman and sweet, too.
“I’ve never been an asshole, but that doesn’t mean I’ve always treated women the way they expected or wanted to be treated.”
I raise an eyebrow.“How does that not make you an asshole?”
“I never lie to them.I’m always honest about what I want.It’s their choice if they want to be with me, knowing what they know in advance.”
“Sounds romantic.”I shake my head and laugh again.
He grips me tighter with his fingers.“Maybe you can change me.Show me all the things I’ve been missing.”
“Gallo,” his friend, Clarence, yells from a few feet away, ruining the moment.“Get your ass over here.”
Vinnie sends his buddy a little nod before giving me his eyes again.“We’ll talk about this more later.”
I don’t know if the butterflies in my stomach are from excitement or my mind’s way of sayingtake a few steps back and do not get naked with this guy.My body’s all for the skin-on-skin action, having been denied for more months than I thought humanly possible.I can feel my resistance slipping.
The promise I made to myself is becoming less and less important.
I try to take a step backward, but Vinnie pulls me close again, keeping his arm around my back and his hand firmly on my hip.“Just remember, everyone in this room thinks we’re a couple.”
“Got it.”My body tingles with every step, soaking in his warmth and the feel of his hands on my body as we walk.
It’s not hard to pretend with him.
There are three couples sitting at the table, and all their eyes are on us as we approach.I can feel the weight of their stares as they appraise me.Maybe it’s just in my head.I always assume people who have achieved some sort of celebrity have a bit of snob in them.
“Bianca, this is Marquita, Clarence’s wife.”Vinnie motions toward a beautiful woman who oozes class.
Marquita dips her head.“So, you’re the one who’s trying to tame our young Vinnie.”She laughs and covers her mouth with her hand, showing off the giant diamond ring on her finger.
“He’s a tough one, but he’s mine.”I pat his chest, wishing I could slink away and out of the room.My smile isn’t genuine, but somehow, I keep it on my face until my cheeks hurt.
“Don’t listen to her,” a blond woman says as she waves her hand toward Marquita.“We’re excited to finally meet you.I’m Celia, Tre’s wife.”
Tre is the hottest player on the team.My brothers have his jersey and wear it religiously every Sunday during the season because they think it’ll bring the team luck.It doesn’t, but that doesn’t stop them.
