Page 63 of Penalty Shots

"We can just… take it slow. I'm not on birth control, but I'm clean."

"I'm clean too. I got tested earlier this week."

After breaking things off with Jenny, no doubt.

"Okay," I whisper.

"Okay," he says. "We'll go slow."

Chapter 18

Keelan

"And then I told my publicist, there's absolutely no way I'm going back on that psycho's podcast. Do you know the kind of sexist, misogynistic things he said to me when the cameras weren't rolling and the mics were off?" Zara Blaise, pop star extraordinaire and my forced date for the night, continues her rant that's gone on for nearly twenty minutes now. She was also the person randomly calling and texting me earlier.

"Absolutely not. Never again."

She grabs her glass of wine and finishes it off, and I use the break to look around the restaurant for any sign of Rina and the devil's spawn—I mean—Redmond.

"Crazy, right?" The starlet says as she sets her now empty wine glass back on the table.

"So crazy. I'm so sorry you went through all that."

She shrugs. "Men tend to think that just because they've had rights longer, they somehow are entitled to have an opinion on women's bodies and what they should look like. Especially for those working in my industry."

I agree with her. I hate that any woman should feel belittled.

I just don't particularly wish to be here. But we're both at the mercy of our publicity teams and what they think is best for us.

"So anyways, when I left, I called him out on social media for the pig that he is. And apparently, he's really well-liked and—like—this untouchable figure—so his fans didn't like that very much. So, here I am. Hey, you're much quieter than I thought you would be."

I shift in my chair. So this must be what it's like to listen to me.

God, I need to shut up.

"Oh, sorry," I say. "I just thought that—"

"Sorry, sorry we're late," Rina says rushing over to the table behind the waiter. "We caught traffic on the way in. There's some kind of parade going on down the street, so the parking is crazy."

Redmond is behind her, pulling out her chair like a perfect gentleman. He has a shit-eating grin I'd really like to just wipe off his face.

I sit up. "It's ok. We haven't ordered yet, but I have a bottle of Dom coming for the table."

"Oh, none for me, mate. But thanks," Redmond says, taking the seat next to Rina.

The restaurant is one of those vibey places people come to for the atmosphere. Usually, it's one of my favorites, but being forced to partake in a controlled PR move here sort of takes away all the fun.

"What's wrong, Bonner? Your coach micromanaging your post-season?"

"Nah, it's a personal choice, Landry. Don't want to get slow. I like to stay virile." He looks over at Zara and smiles, extending a hand. "Hello, Redmond Bonner."

Zara returns the gesture. "Oh, I know who you are. So tell me, what's the story here?" She motions between the three of us.

"Well," Redmond begins. "This is my wife." He throws an arm around Rina.

"Ex-wife," Rina says, reaching for her water and maneuvering out from under him.

Atta-girl.

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