Page 14 of One Last Time

“Jerald, is everything okay?” Bianca asks, but the man ignores her and walks toward me.

“Jerald?” I question as he stands in front of me.

“Bianca, will you please sit down? This impacts both of you.”

My body tenses at his words, and Bee sits down beside me. “What’s happened?”

His face breaks out into a huge smile. “I got a call this afternoon, and I’ve just finished making the deal. I am looking at two of the new Tigers.”

“Fuck off!” Bianca gasps, and I stare at Jerald in shock.

Being a Tiger is the highest point a model can get to. Tigers is the biggest lingerie brand in the world. The women who model for them are the most sought after and usually are the models that earn the most money.

“Nope. I told you ladies, you two are hot commodities. You two are going to be the biggest names in fashion.” He grins. “I wanted to personally give you both the news. Congratulations ladies.” He kisses both of our cheeks and leaves.

I stare at Bianca in shock, I’m not able to speak. Today has been a day of ups and downs, but this news has definitely made it one of the best days ever.

CHAPTER 8

Silas

“We did it!” Caston grins as he slaps me on my back.

“We sure fucking did.” I can’t believe that I’m here. That I’ve finally reached my dream. It’s bittersweet, knowing that I’m here, and yet Payton isn’t. That fucking kills me, but I hope that wherever she is, she’s happy. That’s all I want for her, to be happy.

Caston will also be joining me at Seattle Silverbacks. He got in on the second draft and Tate on the fifth. All my boys are with me, and I’m fucking proud that we’ve managed to do it. We may not have known each other from birth, but that doesn't matter. We’ve got a bond, one that’s unbreakable. To know that we’re all starting the next chapter of our lives together is relief. These guys have been with me through my shit with Payton, we’ve been with Tate through his break up with Kayley. Caston and Saya are on the rocks, and it’s fucking with his head. He’s sure she wants out of the relationship, as she seems to be pulling away. Hopefully now that his future is secured, he can sort that out.

“Tonight, we celebrate.” Tate grins, “Then tomorrow we sort everything out.”

I shake my head, since his break up with Kayley, he’s been worse than I have. I’ve been trying to find a way to rid myself of all memories of Payton, and to do that, I get drunk and find willing women and lose myself in them. Every time, I wake up the next morning feeling like shit and hating myself. It’s been two years, and the woman who broke my heart still fucking owns it.

Tate, though, he’s trying to prove a point: that she had him, and now that she doesn’t he can have any woman he wants. That’s not my way of thinking. If I ever saw Payton again, I’d do whatever I could to win her back. Time hasn’t eased the pain of not being with her, in fact, it’s intensified so much so that it’s like I’m missing part of my soul.

“Sounds good,” Caston mutters, his eyes glued to his cell phone in his hand and a scowl on his face. “Fuck,” he says through clenched teeth. “She’s going to be the death of me.”

“What’s going on?” I ask. I thought Saya would have been here, but she’s not.

“She’s not coming out tonight, she hasn’t said why.” He glares at the phone one last time before putting it into his pants pocket. “Fuck it. Tonight is about us.”

“Guys…” Mikey, our agent says. With his tone as a warning, I already know that I’m not going to like whatever the fuck comes out of his mouth. “You need to realize that it’s different now. You belong to Seattle Silverbacks, that means what you do reflects on them.”

Tate crosses his arms over his chest. “We know.”

Mikey shakes his head. “No, I don’t think you do. If you fuck up in any way you’ll be cut. Your places at Seattle Silverbacks aren’t secure. No one’s place is. So you’ll be watched on and off the field. Fuck up once and you can kiss your dream goodbye.”

“We’re not going to fuck up.” I glare at him. Does he think I don’t know this? I’ve worked hard for this. It’s in my grasp, and I’m not letting it go. I belong with Seattle Silverbacks.

“Make sure you don’t,” he warns us. “You’re having a meeting with the coach tomorrow. Don’t be late.” He spins on his heel and walks away from us; his strides are long and brisk, telling me he’s pissed off.

“Fuck, I’m not losing this spot,” Caston tells me. “If we’re going out tonight, we’re having a few beers and then coming home.”

I nod in agreement. “We’ve worked too hard to fuck this up.”

Tate glares at us. “Pussies.”

I give him the one finger salute. I’m not losing my dream to anyone. No fucking way. There’s only one person I would have given it up for, but she’s not here so that point is moot.

When we enter the club, the place is full; it seems everyone and their mother are out celebrating tonight. We’re Seattle’s newest draftees, and everyone’s glancing at us. After Mikey’s talk, I’m not in the mood to socialize, and neither is Caston. Tate, on the other hand, doesn’t even hesitate, he’s already found a woman for the night.

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