Page 111 of Lust For

“Thank you,” I reply. My eyes tear just a bit. I still can’t believe people have to say those words to me. His death doesn’t seem real, even though I know it is. Hell, I just came from the funeral not even a week ago.

“Catch you after? Wanna grab a drink?”

“Yeah, maybe,” I tell her. “I’m beat. It’s been a long week.”

“Sure, see you after.” She smiles and heads back to the field.

I head back up, and sure enough, Serena is making her way to where my snacks are waiting for me.

“Serena,” I say to her as I lower myself into my seat. “This can’t be a coincidence that you’re sitting here with me.”

“You’re a smart girl,” she says with a laugh. “But seriously, I was sorry to hear about your dad.”

“Thanks. I read your statement, and we got your flowers.”

“I hope people weren’t giving you too much hate anymore. I asked my fans to leave you be. Did they listen?”

“As much as a bunch of keyboard warriors can,” I remark.

She chuckles. “I see you have security. I really doubt anyone here in Cary will bother you. Do you really think you’re big enough for that?”

I don’t miss the disdain in her tone, but I try not to let her bait me. “I didn’t choose the security. That was all Derek.”

“He’s so sweet, isn’t he? I mean, when we were together, he was so sweet and thoughtful. But then he found you.” Her voice trails off and she adds in, “Before you were able to pull him away.”

“I didn’t pull him away. That relationship was fake. You can’t possibly believe that anyone in this section can hear you. We’re all alone over here. Which I feel like is your doing.”

“Well, I have to be careful,” she remarks.

I look around the stadium, wondering if anyone will notice our interaction or figure out who Serena is sitting with. It won’t take long to put two and two together. Her security team is doing a great job of keeping guests away from her. I’ve heard them say a few times that Serena will sign autographs after the event.

“Aren’t you worried that someone will see you sitting here with me? There’s no way attention won’t be on you. I mean, look at the security team flagging off the area. Are you hoping they realize who you’re sitting with?”

I look around and make sure my own security team is still here. I find them chatting it up with Serena’s team. I roll my eyes, hoping that means they will still protect me even though they’re chummy with her.

“You are quite the suspicious one, aren’t you? That won’t bode well with you and Derek when he’s on tour. I still want him to sing that song, you know.”

“I heard,” I growl out. Not the best news I’ve heard all week, but certainly not the worst…

“And as for people realizing that I’m here with you, I think that will work well in your favor. Old girlfriend and new girlfriend burying the hatchet and watching a game together. I think those are some pretty good optics.”

“Optics, huh? Is that all you care about?”

She shrugs. “My whole life is about optics. Hell, isn’t being a woman all about optics? If we appear to be in control, eventually someone will believe that we are. If, when you’re with a man and you pretend to need him, he’ll eventually believe that you do. If you act sexy, then eventually you’ll be sexy. Shall I go on?”

“You really believe the bullshit you spew, don’t you?” I ask her, annoyed with her and fighting the urge to admit that she has a point with some of what she’s said.

She sits back, and I think our conversation is over. I’m hoping it is, otherwise, this will be a long game. Two forty-five-minute periods cannot end soon enough.

“So where is he?” she finally asks me.

“How long have you been holding onto that question?” I look over just in time to see her roll her eyes.

“Still in LA, I’m guessing. I figured you would be here. Your bio says you train the Courage. They were all too happy to have me come out and sing the anthem for them, even if it meant shutting down your usual section. I’ve sold out plenty of other seats and even agreed to a meet and greet with the team later. Tell me, do they ask trainers to do those types of things, or do you have to be the talent?”

Yep, I hate her. It’s official. And not just in the natural she’s touched my man kind of way. In the she’s the biggest bitch I’ve ever met way. “So, you planned this? You wanted us to be sitting here alone?”

“I did,” she confirms.

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