“Were you at self-checkout?” I ask.
She gives me the finger before saying, “I’ll have a Cosmo. Make it a double since you’re buying. Not too much cranberry juice. I prefer it to be a lighter shade of pink.”
I wink at her. “So do I, sweetheart.”
Her lips curl in disgust. “You just ruined it for me. Make it an espresso martini.”
I shrug. “Don’t worry, I like the brown parts of a woman’s body too. Brown puckered rosebuds are a personal favorite.”
She pinches the bridge of her nose while I inwardly smile as I walk away. I think fucking with Kennedy Jeffries is about to become my new favorite hobby.
KENNEDY
I mentally run through every single thing I said and did last night as I sit in the receptionist area of Reagan’s office waiting for her to see me. Champ seems so unaffected by my advances. I’ve never had a man react this way to me. What the hell am I doing wrong? It’s not like he was talking to other women. He was chilling at our table the whole night. He talked to a few men, but no women. Have I lost my mojo? It’s like Philadelphia is my kryptonite. This fucking city is cockblocking me.
I was summoned to Reagan’s office this morning. I imagine I’m about to get yelled at for getting ejected from our game last night. The player on the other team had her hands, elbows, and hips all over Sulley for the entire game. It was bullshit. That woman had a hard takedown coming to her, and I was the one to serve it up.
The middle-aged receptionist with neon pink glasses looks up from her desk without an expression as she points toward Reagan’s closed office door. “Mrs. Daulton will see you now.”
I exhale a long breath as I build up the courage to face thetongue-lashing I’m about to get. Standing on wobbly legs, I make my way to her door and slowly open it. I see her sitting at a desk that might be bigger than my car, and her office is definitely bigger than my apartment. It’s got a living room, a small kitchen, and a small play area that is filled with kids’ toys.
Reagan is in yet another designer outfit. This one is green. There’s another blonde, in an equally impressive power pantsuit, sitting in a chair on the other side of her desk. She resembles Reagan and has a canned drink in her hand.
Reagan motions her head toward the woman. “This is my cousin, Jade. She works here and wanted to meet you.”
Jade, who must be around my age, gives me a big smile. “Ahh, the black widow of professional basketball. I’ve been dying to meet you.”
I hate the nickname I’ve been called for years, but I don’t let on. I simply nod as I pull a similar can from my purse. “It looks like we have the same taste in energy drinks.”
It’s a drink called Pussy Juice, and I don’t really drink it. I just find it amusing and keep it in my purse at all times to be busted out when needed for entertainment value. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone else who has heard of it, let alone drinks it. It’s not like you can buy it in a regular store.
Reagan lets out a laugh. “You’ve met your match, Jade.”
Jade’s smile turns mischievous. I like her immediately. “It looks like I have a new bestie. Come in.” She waves her hand. “Have a seat.”
I stand still as I look at Reagan. “Is that what I’m here for? A bestie sleepover?” I ask sarcastically.
Reagan rolls her eyes. “No, smartass.” She points to the chair next to Jade. “Have a seat. We need to talk.”
I sigh as I sit. “Look, I’m sorry about getting ejected. That player was out of line all night. She had it coming.”
Jade scoffs. “Pft. Totally had it coming. Good for you for doing what every Beavers fan wanted to do all night. Hell, I almost stormed the court and tackled that bitch myself.”
Huh? I look at Reagan in question, and she nods. “Agreed. She had it coming. I have no problem with how you acted. We can’t have you doing that every game because it was fatal to our team to lose you, but when a player is being handsy like that, I’m okay with you protecting your teammate. We can’t allow Sulley to get manhandled like that in every damn game. Did you not notice the standing ovation you received from the crowd on your way out?”
I feel like I’m being trapped. Licking my lips nervously, I admit, “I did,” while I consider Shay’s words from her apartment. Is that why I’m here? To be Sulley’s protector?
She smiles as she picks up a small piece of paper from her desk. “People liked it so much that you had a very generous offer come in shortly after the game ended.”
“Offer…for what?”
She gives me an amused look, like she’s trying to bite back a smile. She then loses the battle, and they both start giggling. “What’s so funny?” I ask. “What’s the offer?”
She clears her throat. “Have you heard of FC2?”
I shake my head. “No.”
She and Jade exchange bemused glances before Reagan’s eyes once again meet mine. “It’s a female condom. Get it? Female protector, just like you.” She and Jade break into a fit of giggles.
