Another home game win.
While Brandon didn’t score many points, he outplayed the opposition with his fancy passing and ball skills and set up his teammates to score which resulted in two players having a PB in a single game score.
I kept hearing the word ‘unselfish’ as fans chatted about the game. Brandon helped Byron score an unbelievable fifty points, making him the highest scorer on the court and in this round. Byron and Brandon were constantly bumping chests and tapping backs in praise for the entire game.
It was weird.
Bypassing the locker room, I head upstairs to the VIP room.
“Looking good, Ms. Hendricks.”
“Sharks are looking unbeatable.”
“What a game.”
I smile and answer with a simple thank you as I walk by. For the next hour, I do my part and answer questions about players and the club’s future.
“Did we sign BJ for one year or two?” Jimbo asks.
“Unfortunately, one.” His face drops. “But that will change as we didn’t want to commit until we knew how he’d perform and his future plans.”Because he’s planning on returning to Australia,I think but hold my tongue.
River finds me in the crowd, and I smile. “How was Coach’s speech?”
“There wasn’t a lot he could say after a big win. Anyways, I came up here to see if you wanted to come back to mine?”
I smile at him. While I have been avoiding River, I also need to stay away from Brandon. I’m doing everything in my power to steer this team to a championship, and I cannot let Brandon get under my skin and complicate player dynamics. It would be easy to give in to Brandon and allow my body to have what it craves, but I’m older and wiser and understand the implications if I do. “You don’t want to hang out with me here while I fluff over the corporate suits?”
He laughs then leans in close. “You’re the only corporate suit I want to hang out with.”
“Well, isn’t that romantic?” I joke back.
He picks up my hand and links his fingers with mine. “Wait to see what I have planned for the rest of the evening.” River lifts my hand and kisses my knuckles like men do when they’re in love.
“River… I’m sorry. I have a busy schedule,” I whisper. “Perhaps another time.”
“Clear it.”
What?I’m about to turn away and find a sponsor to talk with when Brandon walks through the doors. He sees me and smiles, making his way toward me.
No, no, no.
“On second thought, these suits can wait.” I smile up at River. “What do you have in mind?”
He tightens a grip on my hand and walks a step ahead as though he’s claiming me and leading me away. Brandon stands two deep away from us. Keeping my eyes forward, I follow River toward the door. Every step seems to slow as I see Brandon out of the corner of my eye, watching me being led away by River, far away from him, before he breaks my heart again.
22
BRANDON
On a high after a huge win,I had been feeling fine. Byron and I were mending the fences I smashed, even if it was on the basketball court.
But the game had been part of my plan.
To deliverhera championship—herdream.
The team was all smiles, and so was I until I walked into the VIP room.
It had taken months to allow myself out of an emotional cage in the hope we had another shot at love and we werereal fucking close.
