“Yes!We can meet whenever your schedules allow.I’ll make sure I’m available.I'm so excited!”
“Are you liking your new recording studio?”
“Like it?I freaking love it!It’s great to have everything set up and ready to use at all times.I don’t need to edit out background noises or anything like that.It makes everything so much easier.”
“That’s awesome.I always listen to the podcast when we’re traveling.It makes traveling a little bit more tolerable.”
“Really?That means the world to me!I didn’t think many athletes would listen, but I get emails all the time from pro athletes saying they love what I'm doing and they listen to every episode.It’s kind of awesome.”
“She literally fan girls every time she gets an email.”Smithy chuckles.
We continue chatting about the podcast and what Liliana’s planning to do next.She has some amazing ideas and I know she’ll keep making this more and more amazing.She really puts her entire heart into this and she’s so passionate about helping athletes get out of the bad light and get the real story out there.
She’s turned away some people after she looked into their story and didn’t believe them or couldn’t decide if they were being truthful or not.She’s very dedicated to sharing the truth and nothing else.
“I’m going to grab us another round,” Cici murmurs as she rises from the table.
“Thanks, sweetheart.”
Chapter 27
Cici
Islowlymakemyway through the packed pub.There are so many people here tonight.I'm not sure if that’s out of the ordinary or if it’s been so long since I came here that I kind of just forgot what it was like.
Luckily, we haven’t really had anyone approach our table.There have been people watching us, or pointing in our direction, but we haven’t had anyone ask for pictures or for one of the guys to sign anything.
I lean over the bar as I tell the bartender what I want to order.It’s so loud in here, I don’t know how he can hear anything.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I check my email while I wait.He said they were a little backed up so it would be a minute, but I don’t mind.They’re doing the best they can to keep up with the orders they’re getting and I'm not going to act like that’s outrageous.They’re working their butts off and moving faster than I ever could.
A warm body presses up against me.I assume it’s Covey, but that’s not the cologne Covey wears.My body stiffens and I stand straight up, trying to create some distance between me and this man invading my personal space.
“Get off of me,” I hiss as I spin around to face the person.
I suck in a sharp breath when I come face to face with Josh.The smell of alcohol is strong on his breath.I’m fairly certain he’s been drinking whiskey all night long.His eyes are red rimmed and bloodshot.They’re unfocused and he looks like he’s barely standing.
“Go away, Josh,” I say a little more firmly.
“Cici!You’re here,” his words slur together, making it almost impossible to understand him.He takes a step closer to me and puts his hand on my hip.
“No!Don’t touch me!”I place my hands on his chest and try to shove him backwards, but he grips my wrists and tugs me even closer.
I let out a whimper of frustration.Even drunk, he’s a lot stronger than me.There isn’t anywhere I can go.He has me pinned against the bar and there’s a stool on either side of me.I can’t get away from him and I don’t really want to cause a scene… how loud would I have to get to even cause a scene?I can barely hear myself think.
“I’ve been waiting so long to get you alone outside of work,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear.
My stomach rolls and a shiver runs down my spine.One filled with anxiety and fear, nothing like how I feel when Covey makes me shiver when his breath fans over my neck.
I want Covey.Where is he?
I try to glance around Josh, but every time I move, he moves with me.I’m able to get a glimpse of the table, but I don’t see Covey.
“I’ve wanted you since you started working with me.You kept playing hard to get, but now Parker and Luke aren’t around to stop us,” he slurs, digging his fingers into my hip.
“Don’t touch me, Josh!I don’t want anything to do with you!”Tears fill my eyes as I try and fail again to push him away.
How is no one stepping in and stopping this?Does no one realize the trouble I'm in right now?Or are they just not willing to get involved?
