"I guess I can do that unless you cheat on me or something like that," Melanie said, giving him a narrowed gaze.
"Not possible," Noah told her as he opened the stall door.
"Even though you're now going to become one of the biggest players on the market?" Melanie asked as she turned on the water and washed her hands. Noah washed his hands too, glancing at the door just to make sure no one was coming in.
Noah's life was going to change soon. He had already put his name in the draft last year around the holidays, and with the end of the school year closing out soon, the draft would be up. Noah was sure he would be drafted. He just didn't know what team he would be drafted to. Noah still hoped it was the same team he had always dreamed of going to.
"Nope," Noah assured Melanie as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, guiding her to the door. "I don't want anyone else but my professor."
"Noah," Melanie said, slapping his shoulder. Noah chuckled and opened the door and was surprised to see his little brother. Melanie yelped.
"What are you doing here?" Noah asked, glancing at Melanie to make sure she looked fine. The lipstick she had worn before was gone, and her hair was slightly tousled, but other than that, she looked beautiful as usual.
"Everybody is looking for you," Timothy said, looking at Noah suspiciously. "So, I was going to check the men's bathroom, but you were here in thewomen’sbathroom."
"Yeah, I walked into the wrong bathroom," Noah lied easily. He had a feeling he wouldn't be able to sneak off with ease, and if he went to the men's bathroom, people were definitely going to look for him there. And then, on the other hand, there was no way Noah was fucking Melanie in the men's bathroom. He wouldn’t chance another man being able to hear Melanie’s sweet moans.
"Yeah, I bet," Timothy said, looking at Melanie pointedly. Melanie blushed, looking down. Noah chuckled. He playfully ruffled his brother's hair, dropping his arm on his shoulder before they all walked back out to the party.
"Where have you've been, my boy?" Coach Benson asked as he clapped Noah's shoulder. "You're missing out on the fun."
"I doubt it," Noah said, winking at Melanie, who glared at him before she walked off in the direction of Abi. Noah was ready to follow her, wanting to catch up on missed time.
"Hey, let me ask you a question, Walker," Coach Benson said as he brought Noah closer. Noah arched a brow, wondering what Coach Benson had to ask him. "Who is your friend over there?"
Coach Benson pointed in the direction of a woman, who stood talking to a group of recruiters. She had dark brown skin that shined under the light, thick, full lips that were coated with red lipstick, and deep dimples broke through every time she smiled. Her loose curls draped her shoulder, and the black dress she wore showed off her tiny figure. Noah couldn't blame Coach Benson for taking notice of her. Most men would. The woman said something, and all the people around her laughed.
"Jordyn Davis," Noah said. "She's my sports agent. She's being kind enough to keep the horde off me for now."
Noah had met many potential agents before, most of them coming from his father's direction. But in his desire to control his career, Noah usually ignored anyone his father brought his way.
A few months back, Jordyn had found him, and surprisingly enough, she had nothing to do with his father, which made him intrigued by her. She saw his potential without his father’s help. But that wasn't the only reason he picked her. She was highly successful and known for making the best deals for her clients and having great relationships with them. And so far, she had been doing a good job.
"Hmm," Coach Benson hummed as he looked at Jordyn intently. Though Noah was glad Coach Benson's attention was off Melanie now, and he had taken the hint, Noah couldn't help but feel bad for his coach. He was always punching above his weight.
"I don't think you have a chance, Coach," Noah said as he glanced back over to where Melanie stood, talking to Abigail. It was then that he noticed his mother walking over to her. In fear of what his mother might say to her, Noah made a move to leave, but Coach Benson stopped him.
"What do you know, Walker?" Coach Benson asked. "Let me know what I can do to seal this deal. She looks like a woman of means."
After speaking to Jordyn on a few occasions, Noah could say that she was a persuasive, charming, hard-working woman. But Coach Benson definitely wasn't in her league. Besides, Jordyn was too busy sealing deals herself to notice any man around her. Coach Benson would be on a fool's journey to pursue her.
"Just take my advice," Noah said as he kept his eyes on the scene before him. Now, his mother was talking to Melanie. Melanie's body was slightly stiff as his mother spoke. Noah clenched his jaw with worry. "See you later," Noah told Coach Benson before he made his way over to Melanie. And by the time he got past the crowd to her, to his surprise, Melanie was all smiles.
"What's so funny?" Noah asked curiously. His mother and Melanie looked at him before they chuckled some more.
"They’re just laughing at you, lover boy," Abigail said as she hopped down from the stool. "If you’ll excuse me, I think I have a man to catch."
"Is everything okay?" Noah asked, glancing back and forth between his mother and Melanie. The last time his mother had a conversation with Melanie, she left him. He didn't want to go through that again.
"We're fine," his mother said, her eyes filled with warmth as she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "I'm proud of you."
"Thanks, mom," Noah said, knowing that even if he had lost the championship, his mother would say the same thing. She had always been on his side, and though he was disappointed by what had transpired between them, he knew she loved him.
"Let's meet up for lunch, Melanie. I'll show you some of his baby pictures and videos. If you think my son is arrogant now, you should see what he was like as a child."
Melanie smiled brightly. "I'm looking forward to it, and thanks, Alice."
His mother nodded before she walked away. Noah found himself stuck. He looked at Melanie with a questioning gaze, but she just shrugged.
