Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
“I just…” I lick my lips, which now taste like him and mint. “I just need to check and make sure my makeup is okay.”
“You look perfect, but I’ll wait.” He seems reluctant to let me go but does it anyway. While he waits, I walk into the bathroom and make sure my lipstick is still in place. By some miracle it is, which is a testament to the quality, and probably why it costs sixty dollars. I do, however, have to fix my hair. So, I do that and then walk back into the room, picking up my bag from the bed to finish putting my stuff inside. When I’m done, I meet him at the door, and he takes my hand, threading his fingers through mine. He doesn’t let it go until he has to so we can both get into the car waiting for us.
Chapter 11
Brodie
I’ve been around beautiful women my entire career. I’ve fucked them, had them use me, and used them, too. I’ve fallen in love with them, and was loved back more than once, but I’ve never felt prouder than I do when I take Reese’s hand and help her out of the car. It’s not because she looks absolutely stunning—although, she does—it’s just her. Her brain, her ability to make me laugh, and how fucking happy I am just being in her presence. As soon as she’s got both feet on the pavement, and before we even reach the red carpet leading into the hotel, cameras begin going off, startling her. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I smile and wave when my name is called, but I don’t stop to talk to the press.
“I think you forgot to tell me about the camera thing,” she whispers, leaning into me when we get inside. I look down at her.
“Sorry. I should have thought about it. I’m just so used to it.”
“It’s okay, I was just caught off guard.” She takes her eyes off mine and looks around, then her eyes widen. “Is that the famous basketball player who is in all those Papa John’s pizza commercials?”
“Probably.” I don’t bother taking my eyes off her to look over and confirm. “There are lots of players from all different sports here tonight.” She looks up at me. “This event helps raise money for youth sports in big cities that don’t get the funding they need for gear and travel expenses.”
“That’s cool.”
“Do you want to walk around and see what’s up for auction?”
“Sure.” She takes my hand, and the two of us walk into the ballroom, where tables are lined up with different items up for grabs, from sports memorabilia to an entire island available for a week, including a chef and staff. As she looks at a pair of earrings, I turn my head when I feel eyes on us, and frown at the guy standing a few feet away staring at Reese in a familiar way that sets my teeth on edge. He’s tall with broad shoulders and looks familiar, but I can’t place him. Resting my hand on Ree’s lower back, I watch his eyes travel from my hand up to my arm. When his gaze meets mine, he looks shocked.
What the fuck is that about?
“Ree.”
“Yeah?” She tips her head back, and I bend my neck to whisper in her ear.
“Do you know that guy?”
She pulls back to look me in the eye, then, with her brows together, glances around. I feel her muscles under my palm bunch when her eyes land on the guy still staring.
“Shit,” she whispers, turning toward me and bumping into my chest.
“Shit, what?” I ask as she steps around me, grabs my hand, and starts dragging me away in the opposite direction of the guy.
“That’s my best friend, Kirk. Or he was my best friend.”
I frown, and she glances up at me, rolling her eyes.
“My ex-boyfriend?”
“The one that fucked your sister?” I stop allowing her to pull me along, and she comes to a halt with me.
“She’s not my sister. She’s my mom’s fiancé’s daughter. But…yes.”
“Why the fuck is he here?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to him. But he did just sign with one of the NFL teams here in New York, so he might be here for the same reason you are.”
I blink at her. “He plays for the NFL?” I glance over my shoulder at him. Shit, now I know why he looks familiar. Kirk Finer is not just a football player; he’s one of the NFL’s top draft picks this year. And he used to date my girl.
“Does it matter that he plays for the NFL?” No, but also…fuck yeah. I’d thought her ex would… Well, honestly, I assumed he would look like one of the dudes who used to get straight As in science class back in college. I didn’t know he was Kirk Finer. I look over her head and see him walking our way. “He’s coming over here.”