“Yes, since our league is new, we only have ten teams right now,” I explain, popping a juicy green grape into my mouth. “Houston is in the East Division, along with Orlando, Chicago, New York, and New Orleans. The West has Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, Denver, and Kansas City.”
“And you play against the other four East teams first?”
“Yes, and then we play the five West teams in October and November before playing each team in our division again.”
“I noticed the Super Bowl will be right before Christmas.”
“Yep.” I take a sip of my fizzy juice, the flute cool and delicate between my fingers. I hope like hell I don’t break it because it probably costs more than a black market kidney. “We don’t have playoffs, so the winner of each division will automatically be in the Super Bowl. Once we expand to sixteen teams in a few years, they’ll institute a playoff system.”
“I’m excited to watch you play.” Our eyes meet, and Phoenix offers me a smile. “Reece is too. She’s already told everyone in her play group that Jordie McNamara is her bestest friend.”
My heart clenches at the cuteness of that. “Aww, that’s sweet. Will you bring her down to the field after the first game? We can take a picture together.”
“Good lord, she will probably pee her pants in excitement,” he says, and that reminds me…
I still need to buy some damn panties when we get there.
“So you liked Kam?” Phoenix asks as we take the hotel elevator up to the top floor of the hotel.
I’d met with Kamryn Hart and Tanner Montgomery as soon as we got to Philadelphia today, before Kennedy Jeffries joined us.
“I liked her a lot. Tanner too, but I felt like I really related to Kam since she’s also a female professional athlete. I think I’m going to go with Montgomery Sports Management.”
Phoenix nods, and we exit the elevator. Our feet plod against the sumptuous burgundy-and-gold carpet as he guides me down the corridor. There are only four rooms on this level, and we stop beside the two that take up the entire right side of the floor.
“I think you’ll be happy with them, but I still think it’s a good idea for you to go to lunch with Kam tomorrow. Let her wine and dine you before you give her your final answer.”
“I’m looking forward to it. She’s funny.”
He pulls out two keycards and hands one to me. “She’s a character for sure. You seemed to hit it off with Kennedy.”
“It was so nice of her to invite me to dinner tonight.” I lift my gaze to his. “Are you sure you don’t feel like I’m abandoning you?”
He rolls his eyes. “Of course not. I want you to have fun. She said she’s bringing Sulley too, so y’all have a ladies’ night. Tanner and I will hang out at the restaurant bar.”
Sulley O’Shea is Kennedy’s teammate on the Beavers, and she’s a bona fide basketball superstar. She set all kinds of records and was named Rookie of the Year last season.
“I’m looking forward to meeting her. Would it be weird if I asked them both for their autographs?”
Phoenix chuckles. “Not at all. I think they’d like yours too.”
“I’m not sure about that.” I jerk my thumb at my door. “I’d better get ready. I’m supposed to meet Kennedy and Sulley downstairs in an hour.”
Fifty minutes later, I’m fidgeting with the black bodycon dress my sister insisted I bring. I’m glad she did because when I asked Kennedy what to wear tonight, she said, “Dress up.”
But it seems so damn short, riding only a couple inches below my ass, a fact that’s intensified by Juliette’s stiletto heels on my feet.
Also, I took a shower and it felt gross to put my dirty underwear back on, so I’m currently panty-less. Yeah. Good times.
A knock sounds on the door connecting my room to Phoenix’s, and I toddle over and open it.
“Hey, do I look stupid in this dress?” I ask immediately, tugging at the bottom hem with one hand and the sweetheart neckline with the other, attempting to make it a couple inches longer. When I look up, Phoenix’s eyes are on my body and his nostrils are flared.
“Whoa.”
“It’s bad, right? Give me a second and I’ll change into… something.”
As I turn to search my suitcase in the hope that some different clothes have materialized in there, I’m stopped with a hand around my wrist.
