Well, I seem to be doing a very good job of irritating you.
The truth was, I didn’t want her to know the details.It might impact the way she saw me or jeopardize any future there might be between us.Of course, it was inappropriate to even have that thought, but part of me didn’t care.There was something about her that was already under my skin.
EMMETT
You’re not irritating me.I just don’t want you to look at me differently.
CALLIE
Oooh, ominous.
EMMETT
Look, I made an error in judgment.Trusted the wrong person, and it bit me in the ass.She wanted money and wasn’t above manipulating me to get it.
CALLIE
Ah, “she.”I think I get it now.
My frustration peaked.The day was officially shot to hell.
EMMETT
I’m certain you don’t.Maybe someday I can share more with you.
CALLIE
I’d be happy to listen.
The afternoon dragged by in a hazy blur.Emails went ignored and reports unread as my mind continually wandered back to Callie.
At half past four, I gave up.
I messaged Wick and headed to the Price Industries gym.I was already stripping off my dress shirt as I pushed open the heavy door to the men’s locker room.
Like the rest of the building, the space had been meticulously designed, with dark oak lockers and leather seating.Polished gray marble lined the floors and countertops, and soft lighting cast warmth throughout.An archway led to the private showers, each stall enclosed in frosted glass.A mini fridge stocked with chilled bottles of premium water and sports drinks sat in an alcove.
I tossed my shirt on a bench and placed my index finger on the digital scanner to open my locker.
Quickly, I changed into a pair of navy basketball shorts, a white fitted t-shirt, and my favorite Nike sneakers.After grabbing a water bottle from the fridge, I headed out to the basketball court.The smell of freshly waxed hardwood filled my nostrils as I pushed open the heavy double doors.
Wick was already there, practicing his jump shot.The sound of the ball swishing through the net echoed in the vast space.He turned when he heard me approach, flashing me a grin.“Ready to get your ass kicked, Price?”
He tossed me the ball, and I caught it with one hand.“In your dreams, Friedman.”
We started with some one-on-one, the squeak of our sneakers against the polished court, the only sound besides our labored breathing and the rhythmic thumping of the ball.Sweat beaded on my forehead and dampened my shirt as we battled back and forth.
During a water break, Wick fixed me with a knowing look.“So, what’s got you so wound up that you needed toblow off steam?”
I took a long pull from my water bottle.Wick had been my best friend for half my life.He knew me better than anyone.There was no point trying to bullshit him.
I ran a hand through my damp hair.“It’s Callie.”
Wick raised an eyebrow.“The new MBA intern?What about her?”
I bounced the ball a few times before speaking.“I don’t know, man.There’s just something about her.She’s smart as hell, ambitious, driven.And she challenges me like no one else ever has.I feel this pull towards her I can’t explain.”
“Dude, you’ve known her for, like, three days.”
