Chapter 22

S ome days, I regret having it written into my contract that Kendra is my main point of contact. My attraction to her has doubled since working side by side. Maybe it's a forbidden fruit thing that makes me want her so much. It's borderline obsession. She's constantly on my mind; doesn't matter if I'm on the ice with my team or staring into another woman's eyes.

It's what made me flip on her in the interview today. On the drive home, I call my best friend, Barrett. My car seems to be one of the only places I have privacy these days. I hate being in the spotlight, but I must be a masochist because I love being near her.

"Dude. What the fuck?" He laughs, answering. He must have seen the interview. "So, what's it like being the most-wanted bachelor in America?" he says.

I chuckle. "It fucking sucks."

He laughs. "Why?"

Too many reasons to explain. For now, I need to figure out what to do about it. My patience is running out. I answer his question with one of my own. "How did you know Raleigh was the one?" I ask.

"I just knew. It's hard to explain. She was fun, and I knew that if I had to spend everyday with her for the rest of my life—"

"It wouldn't be enough?" I finish.

"Exactly. Falling for one of the women already? That didn't take long. Who is it?"

"I think it's Kendra."

There's a pause. "Kendra? Which one—wait, your producer ?! That woman who interviewed you?"

I suck my teeth. "Yeah."

"Oh, shit."

"Yeah."

"Does she know?"

"I've hinted at it."

"Yeah… after that interview, it kinda makes sense. You were about as subtle as a brick to the face. Do you think she feels the same way?"

"I don't know. She pushes me away. I can't tell if she's scared or if she really is not interested. Even if she did. We're both in a tough spot."

"Wait, I'm confused. Why do you say ‘we're' in a tough spot."

Shit.

"We, ah, kind of hooked up. Before this whole show thing. I really like her."

"Holy shit… Okay. So, drop the show."

"I can't. I'd fuck up my contract, and her career depends on it too. And this girl is driven. I mean, really driven. She wants this. More than she wants me, apparently… but I can't blame her. Remember how we used to be when we were drafted? The league was everything."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I don't know, man." I rub the back of my neck. "But I can't even think about these other women. It's like she's some parasite that's burrowed into my brain."

"Ew, what are you guys talking about?" Raleigh interrupts.

"Am I on speaker phone?" I ask. Rude of him not to tell me.

"Yeah, sorry. Folding laundry. Babies have too many fucking clothes— Sully's having girl problems —Just be persistent, man. Annoyingly so."

"Of course you'd tell him that. See what you want and steamroll everything else to get to it." I can hear the eyeroll in her voice.

I've never been jealous of Barrett Conway until now. I've never had anyone I've ever wanted in this way, so his fixation on Raleigh never bothered me—unless it interfered with our games.

"No shame in my game. That shit worked."

"Who's the lucky girl?" Raleigh asks.

"Kendra," I answer.

Raleigh coughs.

"You okay, babe?" Barrett asks her.

"Yeah. Yeah. Just drank water too quickly—Kendra? Like, the producer of your show? The one from Micky's party? Kendra Ames?"

"That's the one."

"Holy shit," she says.

"Yeah … I know."

Barrett's voice comes through again. "You're kind of fucked—"

Raleigh interrupts her husband. "Sully, Barrett will call you back."

Then the call disconnects.

" Gee thanks, Ral. " I roll my eyes and pull into my driveway.

In the garage, I just sit there. Camera guys are supposed to show up soon. They want shots of me at home. I'd rather hide for the rest of the day. After today, she knows where I stand. It's her move.