“Mr. Alexander,” I started, tempering my anger as much as I could. “I hope I never see your face again.”
“You’re quitting? You can’t quit. No one will ever hire you again. You know that, don’t you?” Beck asked, seemingly shocked I’d attempted to walk away from him and my job.
He was right and I hated him for it. I couldn’t walk away. I needed this job and, worse yet, I needed him and his cockamamie plan in order to keep this job.
“C’mon; walk back in there with me and save yourself,” Beck persuaded me. For his benefit, I’m sure.
“You mean, save your ass because that’s what’s really on the line here. Don’t stand there and pretend you are concerned about me. This is about your bottom line,” I hissed back at him.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me to him, lifting me so my feet hovered above the floor. “You’re wrong; I’m very much interested in your bottom line, sweetheart.” With that, he let me go.
I collapsed, falling up against the opening elevator doors.
“Whoa, watch yourself,” he said as he grabbed me before I fell onto my back.
I was so startled, I had no words. No fight left in me.
Holding me, Beck helped me steady, his lips a breath away from mine. “There you go. Isn’t that better? Doesn’t that feel good?”
The way he hummed his words – so sure of himself – made my knees weak. He had me and he knew it.
“You didn’t answer me,” he said.
I hadn’t realized my eyes were closed until he laughed. “Let me go,” I said weakly.
“What the hell is going on out here? While the two of you are playing grab ass, my damn phone is ringing off the hook!” Cole yelled from the doorway.
“We’re good, Cole. We were just talking.” Beck backed away from me, smirking.
“Get in here and tell me how you’re going to fix this thing,” Cole ordered me.
I took a deep breath, contemplating whether or not having a roof over my head warranted the abuse I was about to welcome into my life. Beck walked back into the office, never bothering to check to see if I’d followed him. Cole’s eyes bored holes in mine as Beck slipped past him. I had to make a move fast.
Beck had backed me into a corner and he knew it. We both knew it. What could I do? I offered Cole the sincerest smile I could muster and said, “My apologies. I didn’t want you to find out this way. I wanted to tell you myself.”
Cole groaned. “So, you two are seeing each other? That’s not going to work.”
I swallowed my pride – what little pride I had left. “Yes, we’re engaged, but I swear to you, it won’t interfere with my job. I can handle it.”
Stepping forward, the stubble on his chin just shy of scratching my face, Cole said, “You better handle this. You haven’t been here more than an hour and look at the mess you’ve gotten us into. I suggest you get your ass in your office and don’t come out until you’ve fixed this disaster.” To Beck he said, “And you, whatever you do, don’t leave this building. Do you understand me?”
“Got it.” Beck winked at him. “What about practice? Do you need me?”
Cole didn’t respond.
Beck looked at me, grinning from ear to ear. “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”
I wanted to slap him. The longer I stared back at him, the more difficult it was for me to stay mad at him. Did he have to be so good looking?
“As much as I’d like to stand here and look into your pretty green eyes all day long, I have to go. Let me know when you’ve taken care of the problem for me,” Beck said.
My eyebrow quirked up – the first indication he had gotten on my last nerve. It was either go to my office and figure out what the hell I’d signed up for or stand here fuming. Neither of those would have been a good look for me, but my alternative wasn’t exactly what I’d signed up for on my first day of work.
“Your office!” Cole stood in his office, pounding on the glass.
“I’m going; I’m going,” I muttered under my breath.
“You’re not going fast enough.” A voice behind me said.
I turned, expecting to find my new worst nightmare standing there, but instead found his partner-in-crime, Jared. “What did you say?” Someone was going to have to endure my wrath. It might as well have been him. “I don’t need any crap from you too.”
He smiled, holding his hands in front of him in a defensive manner. “Hey, I’m not the bad guy here. Looks like your fiancé is. Again. Better get used to that because this car crash is nothing compared to some of the other stuff he’s known for.”
Exhausted from the morning’s events, I didn’t want to hear another word. “I don’t have time for this,” I said, dismissing Jared.
As I stepped into my office, I could feel his eyes peeled on me. I’m sure that would have been deemed flattering to countless women all over America, but I wasn’t at all impressed, especially considering I’d just confirmed I was engaged to his teammate.
“Funny,” he started, blocking the door with his body. “Does Beck’s girlfriend know you and he are engaged?”
I tried not to appear shaken by that news, but I had the feeling I’d failed miserably. Both of my eyebrows shot up in an unflattering manner. My bottom lip began to quiver. What had this jerk coerced me into agreeing to? I cleared my throat. “Oh, you must not have heard, they’re not together anymore; hence, why he and I are engaged.” I snarled at Jared to save face. There was no use in letting him think he’d one-upped me. Not now, anyway.
He flashed a wide smile at me. “Yeah, maybe he forgot to mention it to me. You know how guys are. They don’t want their business in the streets.”
He was testing me. Trying to play the race card with me. I hated when people did that, especially black people. I don’t know where this fool grew up, but I sure as hell wasn’t a hood rat. And, no way in hell was I going to let him play me like one.
“If you’re done playing B-boy, I have work to do.” I imitated his toothy grin.
Backing away, he winked. “I hear you. Congratulations on your engagement. I might have to throw the man of the hour a nice bachelor party. You know; to seal the deal.”
I hated him.
“Yeah, knock yourself out. Bye.” I let the door close in his face. What an ass!
I leaned forward, resting my head on the back of the door to catch my breath and figure out my next move. I knew athletes came with unique sets of problems, but I didn’t anticipate having to get acquainted with those problems so soon after signing on the dotted line.
That damn dotted line! What was I thinking?
I know what I was thinking. I was thinking I’d finally be able to afford the kind of things I’d always wanted. I didn’t want anything extravagant, just normal: a roof over my head, a warm bed to come home to at night, and the ability to pay my monthly bills on time. Was that too much to ask? I mean, I had put myself through school and earned my degree, despite all the obstacles I had in front of me. Didn’t I deserve some sort of reward, even a tiny reward, for succeeding? This was supposed to be my dream job. Something easy. A stepping stone to my six, maybe seven figures a year career, if I played my cards right.
Five minutes of feeling sorry for myself passed before I had to put my nose to the grind and do something to reverse the damage Beck had caused. I sat at my desk and pulled my laptop out of my bag. “Here goes everything. Let’s see what the media is spinning about… about… my fiancé. My fiancé! Oh my God, what if someone back home saw that announcement on the news? I’m screwed. I have to call my Mama.”
My hands shaking, I hit speed dial to call home. Sure enough, my mother answered on the first ring. “What is this bullshit about you getting married?”
She knows.
“Mama, let me explain,” I started.
“Explain nothing. Is this why you took off halfway across the country? I raised you better than this. No daughter of mine chases some man down for…”
I couldn’t bear it. I
took a deep breath and held it until her tirade was over.
“Do you hear me, girl?” she screamed.
I hear you. The whole world can hear you, megaphone Mama.
“Yes, Mama. I hear you, but, please, let me explain. I promise you, I did not move across the country for that man or any other man. I learned my lesson, I swear,” I said.
I could just imagine the face she made as she contemplated chewing me out for falling prey to another man, especially so soon after getting my heart ripped to shreds by my ex-boyfriend.
“So, you’re sure that Malcolm isn’t the reason why you up and left your family again? You know my heart can’t take much more of this nonsense? I told you, ain’t no man, woman, or child – well, maybe your child, depending on how they were behaving at the time, worth losing your head for,” she warned me.
I stifled a chuckle. My Mama was what people in my community called a ‘tell-it-sista’ because she tells it like she sees it and doesn’t care who hears it or who it offends. “Ma, I promise you, he’s not here. I don’t know why you even mentioned his name. I told you, I never wanted to hear his name again.”
“Funny because it seems to me all I’ve heard is his name and I’ll tell you what – I used to like that name until he did what he did. Anyway, if it’s not him, who is it, then?” she asked.
“No one. Well, I mean, I didn’t move here for a man. I came here for a new job,” I explained.
“Then, why are all your aunties and your cousins calling me telling me you’re marrying some football player? You know those guys are no good? With all those head injuries and nasty heifers killing themselves to get their claws into them, their heads aren’t right. Leave that man alone. Come home now and forget all about him. Why can’t you date that nice boy from the church?” Mama asked, referring to the man she’d been trying to get me to date since I was sixteen-years-old.
“Because he’s gay, Mama,” I reminded her.
“Well, at least you know he won’t cheat on you with no tramp. No female tramp,” Mama teased.
Just as the frustration started to leave my body, my office door flung open and Beck sauntered in, looking at me with bedroom eyes. “Who are you talking to?” He asked.
“None of your business,” I snapped.
“I know you’re not talking to me like that,” Mama snapped back at me.
“No,” I glared at Beck. “Some jerk barged into my office.”
I didn’t hear what my mother said, because Beck distracted me by spinning my chair around to face him and planted a kiss on my lips.
“What are you…” I started as cameras flashed.
“Smile for the cameras. I invited them in to formerly meet you,” Beck winked at me.
“What is all that noise, Isla?” My mother asked as Beck took the phone from my hand and ended the call.
The nerve of him!
Chapter Four – Beck
Well, I knew I looked good to go. I hoped she did too. The last thing I needed was to be stepping out with my new fiancée looking like she’d had a rough day. I had an hour before we were set to arrive at the restaurant. Just enough time for the paparazzi to get the pictures they wanted and make me appear to be a nice guy. All I needed was to make sure my lovely fiancée was game for it. The way she acted back at the office wouldn’t suffice for this event. Luckily, I knew how to work the media. Telling them, she was camera shy and too in love to concentrate added a nice touch to the growing narrative that would come out of this mess. How the hell did I end up with the DA’s daughter? Why did I even bother to pay for the security detail if they were going to let me do whatever I wanted? It was their job to vet people. Someone was going to be out of a job real soon, but first, I had to get through this romantic dinner with Isla.
“Sir, the car is ready,” Frank, my long-time driver and confidant, informed me.
“Thanks. We need to make a quick stop on the way over to her place. Where does she live anyway? Did you get an address from her?” I asked.
“No, but your assistant spoke with her. I don’t mean to step on your toes, but do you really think she’s ready for a public date?” Frank asked. He knew me too well. After having spent every day of the last several years with me, he was a good judge of character.
I shrugged it off. He’d been around long enough to know how things operated in my life. Women were inevitable. There was always a new one to wine and dine, or in some cases, to escort to a hotel suite. Most were giggling, jittery, no substance women. They acted like I was doing them a favor by spending time with them. Truth be told, I had done plenty of favors for women, but I didn’t need them to act like I had. I wanted one – at least one – to make me work for it. Getting the goods without having to ask was getting old.
“Sir?” Frank asked.
I hadn’t heard him ask me anything. “Yeah?”
“About Miss Johnson?” Frank reminded me.
“Oh, well, she’ll be fine. She’s nervous. You know how it is?” I pretended like it didn’t bother me, but the truth was, no matter how fine she was, if she blew this for me, I’d make sure she never got another job in this industry again. Hell, she could go back to wherever she came from and wait on tables for all I cared. This was about me, not her, so she could suck it up and deal with it.
Frank nodded, but I swore, I saw his eyebrow twitch. He wasn’t buying it, but like the smart man he was, he knew enough not to argue with me. He wouldn’t win. I’d toss him out of here and destroy the comfortable lifestyle, this job afforded him. I treated him well. I paid him well, but for a price. He had to remain loyal and discreet at all times. So far, he’d never betrayed that trust. I hoped that wouldn’t change because of a nervous public relations woman.
“I’ll be out in a few minutes,” I said, dismissing him so I could make a quick call.
“Hello?” She didn’t sound as angry as she had the last time I’d spoken to her.
“Hey, beautiful,” I greeted her. “We’ll be there in a little while. I hope you’re wearing something sexy.”
So much for her being calm. She blew up. I bit my tongue because I needed her to work with me. There would be plenty of time for feistiness later.
“Calm down. I’m messing with you. Well… maybe not. Wear something sexy, but not trashy. I need you to look like you have class,” I said.
“What? Who the hell do you think you’re talking to? I’m not one of your sluts!” Isla raised her voice in anger.
“Slut? I never called you a slut. Why are you getting all worked up?” I asked, hoping I could dissolve this situation before she changed her mind and ruined everything.
She took a long time to respond, but I could hear her breathing – like a dog in heat – on the other end of the line. I waited to see how she wanted to play this out. “Okay, listen and listen good. This is how things are going to work. And, I don’t want to hear one flipping word about it. Got it?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Why was she being so serious? This was the easy part. All she had to do was remind herself how lucky she was to be in this coveted position. I was the ticket to her future. I was about to make her a star.
After a long sigh, Isla continued, “Did you hear me or have you had too many blows to the head?”
She was good, but not quite pro level yet.
“What’s wrong with a blow to the head? I happen to like those. A lot, if you must know. And, since you brought it up – pun intended – there are plenty of women who can tell you how much they enjoyed it too. You should ask around, honey,” I said, only half-joking because I’d heard women lament on the topic for years – ever since my voice changed back in middle school.
“You’re sick,” Isla groaned.
“Nope, I’ve been tested and I wrap my stuff up. No sickness here. I can guarantee that. Speaking of that, you’re going to have to get tested before we can get down,” I warned her.
“Get down? Are you kidding me with this? I swear, you are like one of the crazy white boys who thinks
because they know a black person, they’re cool. Just so you know, you’re not. No one really believes that about you,” Isla said, much to my surprise.
“Wow. Where did you learn that? In college?” I joked with her. She really needed to pipe down because I was about to get offended -- about to, not actually get offended because I loved myself too much. I didn’t have time for negativity. That’s why very few people were allowed to enter my inner sanctum. I always believed negativity in, negativity out.
“Whatever. All I’m saying is, I’m not doing this for you. This is about keeping my job that you so readily put on the line with your immaturity,” Isla reminded me.
She had it all wrong. It was time to set her straight and let her know who was actually in charge of this sham -- my ingenious operation. “Enough, sweetheart. I get that you think you have to play hard-to-get, but it’s not necessary. I’m not trying to get a happily ever after; I’m trying to get to let’s be happy now -- at least, until the media attention dies now. After that, you can put out a press release and call it all good. You’ll come out of this looking good -- better than you look right now. They’ll say you were the one that got away. Whatever. I don’t care.” I shrugged it off.
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Isla started, but we were interrupted by the sound of a horn honking outside my front door.
“Look, I’ll be there in a few minutes. Be ready. And,” I stifled a chuckle because I already knew how she’d react. “Wear your hair down. I like it that way. Maybe, I’ll get to pull it later if the night plays out like it should.”
She hung up, as I expected she would, but that was the point. Otherwise, I would have been stuck on the phone for the next few hours listening to her whine about her life, my life, her job, etc.
Bedding the Bad Boy (Bad Boys of Football Book 1) Page 3