Page 104 of Home of the Brave

“What’s your go-to?” he leaned down to ask, his breath tickling my neck.

I stared down each label, as if putting all my focus on those would distract me from the shiver he’d caused.

I turned enough to say over my shoulder, “I’m a classic pepperoni girl.”

“Can’t go wrong with that.”

We stepped forward, and it was our turn to order. I asked for one slice, and he got one pepperoni and one veggie.

“There’s a spot over there. Will you grab it?” He pointed to a small table in the back corner.

“I can buy––”

“I know, but let me get this one.” He smiled and nodded toward the table again.

I shot him a playful glare, but snagged the spot and watched him carry our tray over. “For the lady,” he sat my plate down and a bottle of water before doing the same for his.

“Thank you,” I quickly took a sip and tried to relax.

This was the first time we’d been alone since the festival, and that felt like a million years ago. Despite what we’d talked about, I was even more nervous now.

“So, professionally speaking, have you met anyone you absolutely could not stand?”

I laughed and lifted my slice, “Several.” I took a bite while he leaned forward.

“Who?”

I swallowed. “I’m not naming names.”

“Fine, organization?”

“NFL.” I said, and he nodded. “MLS.”

His brows lifted. “Oh, there’s more?”

“NBA, MLB, NHL.”

“One of us?”

“I’ve met truly awful people in every league, women too.”

He folded his veggie slice in half and took a bite.

“I have a short list of players I won’t interview again.”

His brows rose higher, but his mouth was still full.

“I just let someone else get it. I’ll talk to their teammates or reps, but I will not put myself through a conversation with them again.”

“And your boss is okay with that?”

I shrugged. “So far, it hasn’t been a major issue. There’s been times when they complain, and I have to remind them of what happened."

“Were they just rude?”

“No, I can get past that. It’s if they’ve ever harassed me, in any form. That’s my line.” It was one of the worst parts of my job. Men in power that think they can do or say anything they want to me.

“And your bosses still ask you to work with them?” He seemed disgusted.