Page 64 of The Wrong Move

“Saturday night,” he begins. “I have a team named for the preseason game. My report states everyone is available and fit.”

I raise my hand. “Coach.” I cough to clear my voice. “I’m not available this weekend.”

Coach stares at his tablet, then looks to his assistant. His assistant shrugs one shoulder. “News to me.”

Coach eyeballs me. “Since when, Hendricks?”

“My hamstring pulled up tight after the session, and I’m getting a massage after the meeting. Just thought maybe I should sit this one out.”

The team therapist pushes off the wall and walks over to me. “Why didn’t you say something?”

“I felt it tightening in the weights session.”

“Right. Come and speak to me after the meeting, and I’ll take a look.”

Coach nods his head. “Hendricks is out. BJ, you can take Byron’s position, and Jye can play the number two spot.”

Usually, Brandon plays shooting guard but never point. The way he replaced me with Brandon doesn’t sit well with me. Coach didn’t fight me on playing. It’s as though he was already thinking about it. I expected a rookie to take my place to give him a chance in the preseason.

If it were another time, I would dwell on it and train harder to prove I’m not replaceable and the best damn point guard on the team, but not when I’m distracted by how the fuck I can get on a flight to Italytonight.

As soon as the meeting ends, I send a text to Penny.

An angel sleepsin my arms. I peer down at her cute little nose. Summer purses her lips as she sleeps. Already, she has sass, and the thought of her as a fiery teenager giving lip to Franklin makes me grin. I walk with her in the nursery, admiring Giana’s painting on the wall as I rock Summer gently in my arms.

“You sounded anxious on the phone,” Penny says as she returns to the room. She takes Summer from my arms and places her gently in her crib. “Come, I’ll get you a cold drink.” She closes the door and activates the baby monitor on her phone. “We’ll hear her if she wakes.”

I follow Penny into the sitting room, where she pours iced tea. “Thanks.” I take a sip. “I need your advice.”

“Fire away,” she says with an easy smile.

I just come out and say it. “Frank doesn’t need the jet, right?”

“No,” she says, curiosity in her tone.

“Do you know if Jobe needs it?”

“What’s going on, Byron?” She takes the hair tie from her wrist and pulls her hair back into a ponytail. Fuck, I’m inconsiderate. Penny has shadows under her eyes.

“Am I intruding on your rest time?”

“No.” She places a hand on my knee to stop it from bouncing. “Talk to me.”

I let out a long breath and consider my words not to sound like a fucking fool. “I need to be in Italy tonight. If Franklin thinks I’m being rash, he’ll say no, as it’s mainly Dad, Frank, and Jobe’s business jet. I considered buying one of my own, but I can’t buy one that fast.”

“Oh my God, youarebeing rash. Your family does not need any more private jets,” she says, sounding annoyed. “If you want to get on a plane, then book it. Is your passport up to date? Visas?”

“Yes, but the only seats available on flights leaving tonight are in coach.” My knee continues to bounce in a steady rhythm.

“Byron.” Penny stares a moment longer than usual as though she is waiting for an explanation. “Why does it need to be tonight?”

Dragging my palms down my face, I rub at my jaw for a second before picking up the tea and taking a mouthful. “It’s Giana. I want to be there to support her. There is an event to showcase her new art on appliances, and it’s important to me to be there so she understands how much she means to me.”

Penny crosses her legs and sits back in the pale-pink designer chair. “Don’t underestimate a woman’s intuition. I’m sure she already knows.”

“Maybe, but her douchebag ex is hanging around, and I don’t want to give him an inch.”

“Ah. There it is. The jealous part of the Hendricks men always pops out when you least expect it.” She giggles as though she’s reflecting. “Byron, if you need to go, then go. I’m sure someone is on call to do your approvals ASAP. Ring Frank, and he will help you out.”

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