Big Baller : A Hero Club Novel

by Katrina Marie

  That has got to be annoying. I don't know that I would ever get used to that kind of life. "Do you usually give them one?"

  "Yeah, usually. It won't do me any good to act like an asshole. Besides, it only takes a few seconds for me to sign a piece of paper or whatever they have on them."

  So, he's not an asshole. He's just pushy as hell until he gets what he wants. "Do you know what you want?" The only reason I'm asking is to change the subject. This is the first, and most likely only date we will ever have, and I don't need to know his full life story.

  "Not really. I mean pizza is pizza, right?"

  I set my menu on the table and bring my hands to my chest in surprise. "No, pizza is not pizza. You're in Chicago. One of the best places in the United States to eat pizza."

  Bentley leans back and crosses his arms over his chest, "Okay then, which one should I get?" I don't miss the way his shirt tightens over his arm muscles. And it feels like the temperature in here just went up 10°.

  "That depends, what sort of things do you like?"

  "As much as you probably don't agree, I'm actually a simple guy. Cheese or pepperoni are what I stick to."

  While I am shocked by his choices, it seems a little boring. "Okay, you wait here and I'll go order the pizza."

  There’s a line at the counter, and I walk to the back. As I’m standing there, two women break from the line and head straight toward Bentley. I guess his presence in the small pizzeria didn’t go as unnoticed as he hoped. A pang hits as they sit down, exactly where I just vacated, and start a conversation. I wish I could see him. Even if this is only a one-time thing, it hurts that he’s talking to other women while he’s on a date with me. One of the women leans over the table, showing off her cleavage and I want to do something to let them know he’s here with me. I’m not sure where this possessive streak has come from, and I don’t know if I like it or not.

  Before I do anything drastic, like turn around and stride right out the door, Bentley scoots his chair back. What’s he going to do? Leave with the beautiful women by his side? I’m seconds away from leaving, but he surprises me. He’s by my side in less than a minute. “Do you want to get out of here?”

  I peer over his shoulder and notice the two women staring, wide mouthed. I guess they didn’t think he’d walk away from them. “That sounds like a fantastic idea.” My pizza craving will have to wait. He left those two who no doubt offered him more than I’m willing to, and now I want to see the layers this man has to be hiding. There’s no way he’s arrogant and sweet. Or, maybe, he’s trying to get more from me that I’m willing to give. Either way, I want to find out.

  Nine

  Bentley

  Sometimes I wonder what is wrong with people. I’m not even that famous. Rookies should not get this much attention. In most cases…they wouldn’t. The only reason they even know who I am is because I helped demolish the home team last night.

  Those women saw me sitting with Jolene. They were waiting for their opportunity to pounce. I smiled and nodded along to whatever they were saying. I’m almost certain they told me their names, but I forgot them the second they were spoken. Too dumbfounded with their audacity when they could see I was here with someone.

  These are the women I usually take home when I’m in Austin. The sort of women Jordan warns me about daily. I’ve always let it go in one ear and out the other. There was never a reason not to live my life to the fullest. To take advantage of all the perks for being a professional athlete. Until now. Until her.

  I could feel Jolene’s eyes on me the entire time. If I didn’t do something fast, she’d be gone. My thought was almost a reality when I left the table and saw her turning toward the door. I can’t let her see what my life normally is. Not if I want her to give me a chance.

  It’s a beautiful, but cool day, in Chicago, and I wish I would have brought my jacket. Jolene isn’t fazed as she walks down the sidewalk beside me. She must be from a northern state. There’s no way anyone from the South could handle this without freezing their ass off. “Where do you want to go now?” Her voice breaks into my thoughts.

  “I have no idea. You probably know this city better than I do.” She seems more closed off now than she did when she walked into the pizzeria. I know it has to do with the unwelcome table crashers. “Look, I’m sorry about that back there. I was hoping since I’m not in my home city I wouldn’t be as recognizable.”

  “It doesn’t help that you played your ass off last night and stomped them,” she laughs.

  I turn my head toward her, my mouth lifting into a grin. “So, you watched the game last night?”

  Shaking her head, she sighs. Busted. “I may have caught the highlights during the news.”

  “Good to know.” She totally watched the game. “I’m kind of surprised you weren’t out on the town. The flight landed early.”

  “I’m not much of a party animal. I spend so much time in the air that I want nothing more than a bed to take a nap. It’s one of the things I miss the most.”

  “Don’t you typically get to sleep in an actual bed?” That’s such a weird thing to miss.

  She shrugs her shoulders, but angles her body closer to mine. Progress, maybe? “Yeah for the most part. But I was doing international flights for a long time and sometimes we’d have to sleep during the flight. Those small cots aren’t very comfortable.”

  I rear back, eyes wide. “I didn’t even know planes had beds on them.”

  “You also don’t fly very much.” She bumps her shoulder into mine, “You should try flying first class sometime. It’s much nicer up there than it is where you’ve been sitting.”

  “Do you ever work first class?”

  Jolene shakes her head. “Not often. I prefer being in coach. Lana loves working in that area, though.”

  “Then I don’t see a reason for me to sit there.” I hold my hand out in the small space between us, hoping she’ll take it. One. Two. Three seconds pass before I think she’s not going to take it, but then her hand slides into mine. It’s soft and smooth against the roughness of my hand. “If I sat in first class, I wouldn’t be able to see you.”

  She stops in her tracks, her hand ripping away from mine, and laughs loud and hard. I’d be surprised if people down the block can’t hear her. After a minute she gathers her composure and meets my eyes. “That has got to be the worst line I’ve ever heard.” I open my mouth to protest. I thought it was pretty smooth, but she stopped me. “I’m here, most likely against my better judgement. This is your time to shine and give me an amazing date, not give me cheesy pickup lines.”

  “It wasn’t that bad,” I mutter under my breath.

  “What was that?” She walks toward me, and I can’t stop staring at her legs peeking out from the bottom of her dress. It’s not short, but it has just the right amount of appeal. Showing me a little and making me wonder about the rest. She’s so different from anyone I’m typically drawn to, and that terrifies me.

  “Nothing.” I play it off. As if she didn’t just deliver a blow to my ego. Those lines usually work on most women. “Is there anywhere close by where we could eat? It’s freezing out here.”

  “So cold is your weakness. I’ll tuck that nugget of information away.” Does that mean she’ll go on another date with me? She could be softening me up after laughing at me.

  “Hey, us Southern boys don’t do well in frigid temperatures. If it’s less than seventy degrees, there’s a good chance I will be wearing a hoodie.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” she waves her hand at me, dismissing my complaint. “There’s a small Italian restaurant around the corner. It’s usually slower there since it’s off the beaten path.”

  She doesn’t seem too upset that we’re going somewhere more isolated, and I follow her lead. As much as I want to take her hand again, I don’t think she’d let me. I’ve never met a woman so hard to read. One minute she’s putting me in my place and the next she’s opening up, letting me see the softer side to her.

&n
bsp; Most of the women I’ve dated are shallow. Even in high school and college. They wanted to be with me for the popularity. I was one of the star players and being on my arm somehow raised their status. Half of them had never even been to my house. They didn’t care.

  Right now, I don’t know which way Jolene is leaning. She was ready to march out on our date because those women talked to me, but was willing to hold my hand when I reached out. It’s giving me whiplash, but I’ll stay on the rollercoaster a little longer. It’ll either be the ride of my life or I’ll be stuck in misery. Maybe today I’ll have my answer which one it will be.

  She wasn’t kidding when she said this place is off the beaten path. We turned right at the next corner, but it wasn’t where I was expecting it. It’s literally a hole in the wall restaurant. We left the heavy foot traffic behind a few minutes ago. A bright neon red open sign is placed in the window by the door. It resembles a breakfast diner, and I’m not so sure it’s a place I want to eat. I’ve had good and bad experiences at those types of restaurants. Most of those times included copious amounts of alcohol. Just because I was a dedicated ballplayer doesn’t mean I didn’t know how to have a good time.

  I open the door, but stay put after she walks inside. She takes a few steps and stops, realizing I’m not behind her. “Are you coming? I thought you were cold.”

  “Yeah, about that. Is it safe to eat here? It looks kind of sketchy.” I peer around her, trying to get a feel for the inside.

  Her brows furrow and the happy mood she was in vanishes at my question. “Does it not live up to your ‘high class’ expectations?”

  Fuck. Everything was going great until I had to open my mouth. “It’s nothing against this place. I just have issues with new places in general. Especially when I don’t know what I’m walking into.” Little does she know I’ve eaten at some horrible looking places, but the food was excellent. I’m officially an asshole. I’ve been trying to persuade this woman to look past her first thoughts and give me a chance, but yet I can’t do the same thing over a simple fucking place to eat.

  She walks toward the door, and me. “We don’t have to eat here.” She’s wearing a smile, but the tone of her voice speaks volumes.

  Before she’s out the door, I grab her elbow, stopping her from walking away…yet again. “It’s fine. I trust you.”

  “Are you sure about that?” The flash of pain across her face surprises me. I want to know what idiot put that doubt in her mind and do anything in my power to make it better.

  “Yes. If you were trying to do something horrible to me, I think you’d come up with something more creative than food poisoning. Especially since you’re hungry, too.” Right? What crazy person would also eat something they intend to harm another person with?

  "I'm not insane. If I didn't want to be here, or with you, I wouldn't have agreed to the date." She pulls her arm out of my grasp, and heads back into the restaurant. I hurry behind her to keep from insulting her.

  Is she always this temperamental? I want to say no, but whoever she dated before must have done a number on her. She's leaning on the hostess stand, waiting for her to show up. "So, what would you recommend that I get?" It's a simple question, and one that hopefully won't spark a debate.

  "They have pretty much everything an Italian restaurant would normally have, but I'm still in the mood for pizza. And their pizza is to die for."

  I'm a little intimidated that she knows of great restaurants in a town she doesn't even live in. I'll take her word for it though, and I'll get the pizza. It's the least I can do after the way I've continuously stuck my foot in my mouth.

  A short older lady emerges from a door I assume leads to the kitchen, and as soon as she sees Jolene her face lights up. "How have you been JoJo? I can't remember the last time I saw you. Are you still doing the long flights?"

  Jolene hurries to the woman and wraps her up in a hug. "It's been too long, Marie. And, no, I'm doing mostly US flights right now."

  "Where's Lana? She's usually attached to your side." Marie leans around Jolene's, spotting me, and lifts an eyebrow. "I see you've traded her for a man friend. And a good-looking one at that."

  Jolene turned toward me and her cheeks are a rosy shade of red. She gestures toward me and says, "This is my friend, Bentley." I don't miss the way she emphasizes friend. I have a new goal, now. Make her refer to me as more than a friend by the end of today. It won’t be easy, but I’ve never been one to back down from a task.

  “Hi, Marie. I’m Bentley.” I hold out my hand to shake hers.

  She waves me off and wraps her arms around me. “Around here, we hug. Especially when it’s a friend,” she rolls her eyes at the word, “of one of our favorite people.”

  “You remind me a lot of my mom.” That slipped out of my mouth without my permission. That’s a great way to portray myself…as a mama’s boy. “She’s a hugger, too.” Maybe that will explain it away. But she reminds me of Mom. She’s so welcoming and gives people chances over and over again. She sees the good in everyone, even if they aren’t all that great.

  “I like you already.” She points toward the dining area, “Sit anywhere you want JoJo. We don’t have many other guests and we’re light on staff today. One of the girl’s had a birthday party last night, and I think half the crew went. Needless to say, they’re all feeling pretty horrible today.”

  “Thank you, Marie.” Jolene turns toward the tables set off to the side and doesn’t wait to see if I follow her.

  I’m happy she picked this place. Even though it doesn’t look like much from the outside, it has the same vibe as some of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Austin. You feel like you’re at home amongst family. A part of me wonders if I’ll ever be allowed to call the woman in front of me “JoJo”. It seems like a name she only lets a select few call her. I don’t even think Lana calls her by that name. At least she didn’t the few times I’ve seen them around each other.

  Jolene picks a table next to a window, and it’s refreshing being able to sit out in the open without worrying about photos being taken, or people interrupting our lunch. I should have put more trust in Jolene before making an ass of myself.

  Marie comes over as soon as we are situated, “What would you like to drink?” Jolene orders a coke and I ask for water. While I’m a huge binge snacker in the off season, I’m relatively healthy when I know I have to be out on the court.

  As soon as Marie leaves the table, Jolene is my only focus. “How long have you been coming here to gain such an adorable nickname? Did you used to live here, or something?”

  She scrunches her nose at my questions, but doesn’t answer them right away. Maybe this is too personal for her and she doesn’t want me to know. Marie comes back with our drinks and sets them on the table, winking at me before she returns to her tasks. Jolene takes a sip of her coke and finally answers me. “She is the only person who calls me that. I’m not a big fan of nicknames and the only reason she gets away with it is because she’s the sweetest woman I know.” Grabbing the napkin from the edge of the table, she tears small pieces off. I make her nervous. “And I’ve never lived here, but when I first became a flight attendant, I flew into Chicago, a lot. I found this place one time when I got lost and I come here anytime I’m in the area.”

  “So, you’re practically family now?”

  She jerks her head back. “How do you know that?”

  “If she’s anything like my mom, she never meets a stranger, and feels like it’s her job to mother anyone she comes into contact with.”

  “I think I’d like your mom.” She picks up her glass to take a drink.

  “You could have a chance to meet her,” I wink.

  Her eyes go wide and she almost spits out her coke. “Woah. That’s a little fast.” She picks up the napkin she was ripping to shreds and pats her mouth. “You’re assuming we’ll make it past this date.” Marie comes back with a pizza, even though we haven’t ordered yet. Jolene must see the confusion on my face because as s
oon as Marie leaves, she says, “It’s the only thing I ever order.”

  It’s a pretty big pizza for two people, but I’m starving and know I’ll be able to put a sizeable dent in it. “By the way, I don’t have to assume about another date. I know there will be a next one.”

  “Someone is full of themselves.” She gets up to talk to Marie and comes back with two plates. “No more talking. It’s time to eat.” She grabs a slice of pizza and sets it on her plate. “Trust me, you’ll want to eat more than talk once you’ve had your first bite.”

  I grab a slice and take a bite before it ever hits my plate. I wonder how many types of cheese Marie used because the flavor explodes in my mouth. The pepperoni is crisp, yet soft, and a moan slips from me. Jolene giggles, “Told you.”

  And just like that, our conversation has come to a standstill. By the time I’m on my third slice, I’m full. But Jolene…she eats without a care in the world. As much as I don’t do relationships, this woman was made for me.

  Ten

  Jolene

  “Did you like it?” Bentley is scooting back from the table. The chair scraping across the floor. We’re the only ones in the place, and it feels intimate.

  “We may have to get an Uber to get us back to the hotel. I don’t think I can move.” He pats his stomach and groans. “My next practice will be brutal because of this.”

  Like he’ll have any issue at practice. I, on the other hand, will have to hit up the tiny gym the airport hotel has. “I’m sure it’ll be so painful.”

  “Laugh all you want. I rarely eat like this during the season. Mostly it’s grilled food and things I can work off fast.” He waves his hand over the table, “Believe it or not, this food really slows me down.”

  “Do you ever eat comfort food? Or, do you typically only eat health nut food?” I can’t imagine having to eat healthy all the time. I have a small stash of snacks all throughout my apartment.