Big Baller : A Hero Club Novel

by Katrina Marie

  “Why are you half naked?” Lana grumbles from beneath her pillow. I think? “You better not have been sexting, or doing anything dirty, while you’re literally next to me. That would be a whole new level of weird for you.”

  I grab a pillow from my bed and chuck it at her. “Don’t be disgusting. There’s no way in hell I’d be able to do that with you in the same room.”

  “You’d be surprised what people do when they think others are asleep.” She pokes her head out enough to waggle her eyebrows at me.

  A part of me wants to ask her what she’s seen, or heard. But nope. I don’t want to go down that rabbit hole, or hear all the sordid details. I'm sure she’ll have zero issues doling out. “Hush and get your ass in gear.” I grab the corner of her blanket on her bed, and begin pulling it off. “We have to head to the airport soon, and it takes you a long time to get ready.”

  “You’re bossy,” she pouts. Relenting she gets out of bed and slowly makes her way to the bedroom. I mean, moving inch by inch as if she has all the time in the world.

  I get ready while she’s in the shower. My vision keeps drifting to my phone. Willing a text from Bentley to come through. This long-distance thing is starting to wear on me. Looking into the travel agent business is going to be a top priority on my next day off. Something has to give.

  Of course, we’re running late. That’s what happens when you let Lana get ready last. She takes her sweet ass time and then we’re left scrambling to get our shit out of the hotel. I swear I could pummel her right now. I have no idea what the hell takes her so long. She doesn’t even look like she’s wearing makeup. I swear if we are dinged for being late, I’m going to start making her take showers at night. Or better yet…stay in my own room instead of trying to save International Airlines money.

  It doesn’t matter now, though. We’re rushing through the airport like a couple of lunatics. Bags bouncing along behind us, and almost falling while we run to the gate we were supposed to be at twenty minutes ago. Something catches my eye as we pass the bookstore. They are in every airport across the world, but it’s a magazine I see, and my eyes widen.

  I stop in my tracks and Lana keeps hurrying forward. It takes her a few minutes to realize that I’m no longer with her. “Hey, what are you doing? We have somewhere to be right now.” She leaves her suitcase where she was standing, because sometimes she lacks common sense, and marches over to where I’m frozen. “What is going—?” Her questions die as she sees what I’m staring at.

  People push around us, trying to get to their gates. Searching for food, or just killing time before their flight. But my eyes are glued to the picture on the front of one of the trash gossip magazines. It’s me. Well, I know it’s me I’m sure nobody else does. It’s from the game Bentley played in Missouri. The game I went to, and he pulled me out of the stands afterward. You can’t see my face which is a bonus. But it doesn’t stop the shock that rolls through me at the fact that I’m on the fucking cover of a tabloid. My name isn’t mentioned anywhere on the cover. There’s a question in bold, capital letters: WHO IS THE MYSTERY WOMAN?

  I didn’t realize that athletes ended up in these sort of publications, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. That’s not what alarms me, though. Beneath that is: Will she be another in the long line of broken hearts? Pictures of Bentley with other women surround the one featuring me. It’s like a punch to the gut after my dreams last night.

  These are pictures I’ve seen before. They popped up when I first started looking into who he was as a person. But seeing them altogether, and how different they are from me. I’m plain in comparison. Boring, and not who most athletes fall for. I’ll never live up to those standards. I may be well traveled, but inside…I’m still that girl from the country trying to find her place in the world.

  Lana steps between me and the rack of magazines, successfully breaking my line of sight. “This is trash. You know that, right? They do it to rile people up.” She wraps her arm around my shoulder and pulls me toward the gate we’re supposed to be at. Passengers won’t be boarding for a bit, but we need to get things ready. “Don’t pay any attention to it. We need to go, though.”

  “You’re right.” I take two deep breaths and let her lead me to our flight. “It’s nothing. Meaningless dribble.” Except, how do I know? We see each other maybe once a week or two, and other than the phone, we aren’t able to communicate as much as I would like. All those insecurities I pushed down earlier come bubbling back up.

  Passengers will begin boarding soon. We’ve finished wiping everything down and getting the snack area ready. This really is a thankless job. I don’t think people realize all the crap we have to do before we even let them on the plane.

  My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and see Bentley’s name flash across the screen. I’m still stunned by the magazine cover I saw, and the only way I’ll get answers if I answer the phone. “Hello?”

  “Thank God,” he breathes in relief. “Did I catch you before you take off?”

  A small smile tugs at my lips. He doesn’t sound like someone who is trying to hide something. “Obviously. Otherwise I wouldn’t have answered the phone.”

  He doesn’t address my smartass comment. “What did you and Lana do last night? I tried calling but you didn’t answer.”

  “We ordered in, and then I passed out.” My voice is clipped, and I hope he can’t hear it. I’m not trying to be snooty, but the images on the magazine, a real life representation of my dream, flashes across my mind.

  “Well, while you’re in Austin, you’re going to relax. Except for when you meet my mom and sister. The rest of the time, we’re going to hang out at my house, binge watch TV, and have all the crazy sex we can manage in a short amount of time.”

  “Mhmm,” I reply. Thirty minutes ago, that would have sounded wonderful. Thirty minutes ago, I didn’t see all his past conquests splattered across a glossy piece of paper.

  “What’s wrong?” I can’t tell if he’s playing dumb, or if he really doesn’t know about the magazine cover. Surely that’s something his agent would have clued him into.

  “You haven’t seen anyone else since we’ve been together, right?” I’ll be shocked if he heard the question. It comes out barely above a whisper. My fear is fueling the question.

  “Why would you even ask that?” His voice is hard. Shit, I’ve offended him. “I already told you that I’ve been one hundred percent committed to you since that first day I saw you. I don’t understand what’s going on.”

  Lana walks by me and motions for me to hurry it up. It’s almost time to get the passengers on board and situated. I might as well do this now. If not, it’s going to eat at me the entire flight. “There’s a, um, magazine with a picture of us from the game.” He says something to interrupt but I don’t let him. “And surrounding it are pictures of you with a bunch of different girls. I didn’t think they were recent, but I need to know for sure. We can’t keep going forward unless we are on the same page.”

  “So those are the games she’s going to play.”

  That catches my attention. “Who is she?”

  He sighs, and I can hear the frustration he’s been holding onto. “That reporter that interviewed me after the game. Jordan said she was trouble, and this is how she’s launching her attack. I wish I knew what the hell she wanted. You know, other than stirring up shit where there is none.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about her before?” I’m hurt he didn’t divulge that information with me.

  “I was hoping it would be a non-issue. And that by not giving her anything about you, she’d drop it.”

  “Well, thanks for that at least.” He’s sincere. If there’s one thing I’ve become accustomed to, it’s detecting people’s bullshit. Even over the phone. “I’m sorry for coming at you. I just didn’t know what the hell was going on.”

  “No, you’re right,” he concedes. “I should have told you after the crap she pulled at the game. Jordan said she latches onto
up and coming rookies. If they don’t give her all the information she wants, regardless, if it doesn’t pertain to the game, she makes their life hell.”

  “And now you have a target painted on your back?” This is why I didn’t want to get involved. High profile means he’ll always be scrutinized. But the way he makes me feel is completely worth it. I can weather this with him.

  “Basically,” he sighs. “But I’ll take care of it. Even if it means getting a restraining order of some sort.”

  “That’s good to know.” Lana is waving her arms in the air and signals to the first passengers coming on board. “Look, I have to go. We’re boarding now. I’ll call you later.”

  “Okay.” He pauses for a second, “I hope this doesn’t change your mind about us. You are the only person I want to be with.”

  “I know.” And I do, but it doesn’t stop the fear of him throwing me aside because I’m what he wants for now. Either way, I won’t count us out just yet. “Bye, Bentley.”

  “I’ll talk to you later, Jo.” He hangs up quickly, and I know it’s because he’s calling me by my nickname. He’s never called me that before, but it warms my heart that he feels comfortable using it with me. Especially since I was so adamantly against it when we went on that first date.

  All I can do now is wait and see what happens. I’m falling for him more and more. While it’s terrifying, it’s not nearly as scary as losing him.

  Twenty-Five

  Bentley

  The line to board the plane is crazy long. I’m antsy to be in the presence of the woman I love. Oh shit. Did I really just think that? I can’t be in love with her. Not yet anyway. It’s too soon. People don’t fall in love that quickly, and if they do…it’s destined to fail.

  I can’t think about that right now, though. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen Jolene. Only being on the phone with her is so damn hard. I can’t touch her or wrap her in my arms. I can’t make her scream my name, or feel her nails down my back. It’s just not the same. Surely it has to be bugging her as much as it is me. The next group of passengers are called and they enter the short hallway between the building and the plane. Only a few more sections until they call mine.

  I make it a point to be one of the last to board. It gives me a few moments with her before I have to take my seat. It’s funny. Before her, I was always in a rush to get whoever I took home with me out of the door. The sooner they were gone…the better. That’s how I know it’s different with Jolene. I want to prolong the time I have with her. I cherish the small moments and drag them out as long as possible.

  Finally, I enter the air bridge, mere moments away from seeing her. Dragging my carryon luggage behind me, my steps are slow and measured. The passengers ahead of me pick up their pace, anxious to get decent seats, even though all the “good” ones are most likely taken. I’ve gotten used to taking whatever I can get as long as it means talking to Jo for a little bit longer.

  She’s in my sights. Dark brown hair pulled into a ponytail and a warm smile to greet the passengers. I could never do her job. She has to be nice to people or she could get fired. All I have to do is play a good game. Before she has a chance to even say hello, I drop the handle of my suitcase and rush toward her. Pulling her into my arms, I swing her around, and smash my lips against hers. It’s overkill, but I give exactly two shits about that. It’s been too long since I’ve felt her skin against mine.

  Catcalls and whistles echo throughout the cabin. She pulls away and hides her face against my chest. “I’m at work, Bentley.” She lifts her head up a bit and her cheeks are bright red. Damn, I didn’t mean to embarrass her. At the same time, I’m staking my claim to her and none of these single assholes better hit on her.

  “Sorry,” I whisper against her hair. “Actually, I take that back. I’m not sorry. It’s been too long since I’ve held you in my arms.”

  “You’re ridiculous,” she laughs. “Go find a seat before you delay the flight.”

  “I’d be okay with that possibility,” I pull her closer to me.

  “Yeah,” she snorts. “Until they take your ass off the flight. Then you wouldn’t get to see me at all.”

  “You have a point.” I grab my suitcase and start down the aisle. “But be prepared to head straight to the hotel when we land.” An older lady sitting close to us gasps in shock. Please, like she didn’t also act like this with the person she loved.

  Jolene doesn’t respond. She stares at me and points toward one of the empty seats. I wonder if this means she won’t give me a drink and snack once we take off. That kiss was totally worth getting put on the naughty list.

  So much for heading straight to the hotel room. Coach called a meeting and we’ve been sitting here for over an hour. I’m not sure how many more times he thinks we can go over the plays. It’s all going to come down to executing them, and even that depends on how good the other team is. It could honestly go either way.

  “Hey,” Ross leans toward me. “What are you doing after this? Want to go grab a drink?”

  “Nah, I’m taking Jo to dinner. She’s waiting for me in the room.” I try to tune out Coach, but he keeps talking louder and louder. As if that’s going to do anything. We’re as ready for this game as we’re going to be.

  “Yeah, dinner,” he winks at me. “I guess that’s what you’re calling it these days.”

  “Jackass,” I mutter under my breath. “We’re actually going to dinner.”

  “Guys,” Coach’s voice booms between us. Shit, I didn’t even realize he moved. “Are y’all done gossiping?”

  “Sure. Are we done with this meeting?” Ross fires back. That’s something I would never in my wildest dreams do. Coach is an authority figure and deserves our respect. Not to mention I’m still the new guy. If I did that shit, I’d be benched for a week.

  Coach shakes his head, exasperated, and points to the door. “Y’all get out of here. Go have fun,” he pauses and stares at a few of the players. “But not too much fun. We still have a game to win tomorrow.”

  The entire team races toward the door. Ross is hot on my heels. “Have fun on your date.” He does air quotes on the last word. And while I know there will be other activities going on tonight, I am going to take her out. She’s not just a piece of ass to me. She’s so much more, and I hope she understands that.

  “Whatever, man,” I wave him away. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  All the other guys are clamoring to leave the hotel and I’m trying to make it to the elevators. Once we were checked in, I sent Jolene to the room so she could relax. It’s the least I could do after she’s been on her feet for who knows how long. And even though she seemed to act like everything was fine between us, I can’t help feeling like something’s different. I just hope she isn’t still upset about the photos on that magazine. My past no longer matters. Not now that she’s in my life.

  The elevator takes ridiculously long to ascend. If I didn’t know the hotel was on the newer side, I’d wonder if this thing has ever had any work done to it. Finally, the doors slide open and I hurry out of the rickety box.

  I knock on the door before I wave the keycard in front of the door. I don’t want to freak her out by just barging in. “Hey, Jo,” I call into the almost dark room. She hasn’t said anything about the nickname, or me saying it. Fingers crossed it means I have her approval.

  She’s not in the sitting area. I walk through the short hallway and see her lying on the bed, a book in one hand and her phone in the other. Her eyebrows are drawn down, and she’s staring at the phone. Not the book. What could have gone down while I was in the meeting? Hopefully that reporter isn’t doing anything else to cause problems. “Jolene.”

  She jumps at the sound of my voice. “Oh, hey. I didn’t hear you come in.” She swipes the screen of her phone, and then locks it. That’s odd. “How did the meeting go?”

  “Boring,” I shrug. “It’s nothing we didn’t already know. He’s just being insane with making sure we’re stud
ying the other team. As if we all aren’t watching old games to familiarize ourselves with them.”

  “That sounds like a waste of time.” She sets the book down and comes to stand next to me. A small grin on her face, even though it seems strained to me. She’s just tired. That’s all. “Is there anything in particular I need to wear for dinner?”

  “Nope,” I pull her into me. “I didn’t want to go somewhere fancy. You’ve got to be exhausted and I’ll need to get back early.”

  “What time is the game tomorrow?”

  “Three or four? I can’t remember. I only know it’s an early one.” I let go of her, and walk to my suitcase, grabbing some clothes out of it. “I need to take a shower and we can go after that.” Normally, I’d go in what I have on, but I didn’t shower before I left the house and I don’t want to go anywhere in my ‘flying’ clothes.

  “Want some company?” She asks and stalks toward me.

  Her actions are the polar opposite of her expression, and I’m not sure what to do. “It’s all good. I’ll be quick.” What the fuck? I never turn down sex, especially when it’s with my feisty flight attendant. I need to sort this out. “I’ll be ready to go in fifteen.”

  “Oh, okay,” she sighs. “I’ll get ready, then.”

  Tonight is not going how I planned at all. When did this become so confusing? My fingers are crossed that it’s exhaustion and nothing that has to do with us. It seems like she’s pulling away and I don’t know what to do about that. Only time will tell, I guess.

  We are seated at a small restaurant close to the hotel. I want to wine and dine her, but I need to keep the heavy foods to a minimum. It’ll do me no good to eat so much I get sick on the court. That’s definitely not going to lead us to a victory. She’s free to have whatever she wants, though.