Brigham
They posted our fucking picture. Blue Bell with her fanny pack and hat, and me, pushing the stroller with a dumbass smile.
“This is brilliant. God, the dog stroller kills me, dude. Kills me.” My agent paced around the kitchen island in the apartment, wearing a scary-looking grin and an equally terrifying glint in his eyes. “It could work.”
“Whatcould work?” I tensed. Charles Fox was one of the best at negotiating deals to make sure players got paid a lot, but that didn’t mean he always used the kindest tactics. “I’ve trusted you for four years, and every time you have that creepy-ass look, it doesn’t mean good news.”
“Your reputation is shit.Shit. Total shit.”
Each word was like a punch to the groin. He wasn’t wrong, and I didn’t hide my flinch. There was no apology on his face at all, and he continued. “You got arrested for drug possession and resisting arrest. Los Soles haven’t had this much bad press since your pal Gideon Titan went off against Tate.”
I rubbed the heels of my hands into my eyes and groaned. He was right again. Talk of me, and our team, was brought up on MLB TV every other day, asking what the team would do. If they would offer me another contract, if I was worth the investment…
They weren’t even my fucking drugs.
“My reputation sucks. We get it. So what are you talking about then?”
“Dating this Tinkerbelle.” He pulled up the latest photo on his phone and zoomed in on her face. “She’s not a bombshell, but she’s cute. Innocent-looking. She’s walking a froo-foo dog and wearing a fanny pack. I doubt this chick has seen a drug in her life.”
An unexpected, ugly urge to hit him in the face rushed over me. “Dude, chill.”
“What? I’m not offendingSarah.” He stretched his arms over his head and the tightness of his suit stretched with him. The dark colors of the material combined with the shadow over his face, reminded me of a shark. He was not someone I ever wanted to cross. “You disapprove of my comment.”
“Well, yeah.” I frowned, trying to pinpoint what pissed me off specifically, since his words were true. She was cute, but not a bombshell, and shedidlook innocent. “We aren’t dating. We’ve been together three times.”
“Semantics, Brigham. Haven’t you learned anything about this high life? It’s about perception. The public will think what they want.” He made an obnoxious sound with his mouth and plopped down on the island chair. “Continue seeing her.”
“Charles… I’m not…not gonnauseher.” I shook my head and hated the tone. “She’s nice and uninvolved in all of this.”
“You don’t have to do anything with her. You said she’s staying across the hall?” He jutted his chin toward the front door. “Dog sitting?”
“Yes, why?”
“Walk with her. Be seen. That’s all I’m asking. She is the furthest thing from the cleat chasers you liked having around your arms, and it wouldn’t hurt to let others think it’s more.” He typed something out on his phone without looking at me and abruptly stood up, dragging the chair along the tile so it made a grating noise. “I gotta head out. Walk with her. Get photos. Stay out of the fucking clubs.”
“As always, it’s great chatting with you.” I gritted my teeth as I walked him out and let the door slam behind him. Maybe it was shame, or resentment, or a combination of way too many feelings, but I needed to release energy. There were three more days of the All-Star break, and despite Charles wanting me to use Sarah, the thought of seeing her again helped rid me of the negativity. She was a breath of fresh air and I wanted to cleanse my mind.
It was noon on Wednesday and I hoped she would be home. With a quick check to make sure I didn’t smell—I didn’t—I grabbed my keys and made the short trip to her door. As soon as I knocked, the dogs started yapping, and after a full minute of waiting, someone opened the door, but it wasn’t Blue Bell.
It was a dude.
He had shaggy black hair and only wore sweatpants, and there wasn’t a rational explanation for the instant dislike I had for him. He nodded at me. “Hey, man, can I help you?”
I searched over his head to see if Sarah was in the background and felt a stab of disappointment when an empty foyer met me. “Is Sarah here?”
“Yeah, let me get her.” The dude kept the door cracked, which I didn’t like, but it made sense since he had no idea who I was. “Yo, Blue, someone’s at the door.”
“Is it our food?” she called out, and the relief was instant.
“Some guy.”
“Hm.” Soft footsteps approached the door and her face lit up when she saw me. “You.”
“Hello, Blue Bell.” I smiled and was so damn happy she was there. She wore another tiny dress, but this one was bright red and showcased her long legs. “I see you’re busy.”
“Am I?” She frowned and looked at her hands. “I’ve had a particularly lazy day, actually. I’ve done zero productive things besides letting dogs out and talking to them. In fact, I should putdo nothingon a Post-It just so I can cross it off.” She put her hands on her narrow hips and shrugged. “You’re looking at me like I grew two heads.”
“No,” I said, fighting the urge to laugh. “I really get what you’re saying. My day has been pretty similar. Nothing to report.”
