Page 23 of No Place Like Home

“Yes.”

“Good. We have a real shot this year with that arm of yours and the new players. We’re going places.”

I nodded, not wanting to say it aloud. I was scared of jinxing it, but I agreed with the coach. The new additions to the team were something to watch out for. The new guys were coming through. My lucky charm was still intact. This could be our year.

“You got that lucky charm of yours?”

I grinned. All players here were superstitious. The guys could make fun of my lucky charm all they wanted, but if they didn’t see it, they started to freak out.

“In my locker.”

“Keep it that way.” He dismissed me.

I always kept my lucky ornament with me except for away games. I wasn’t trying to lose it. The guys were more excited to start the games because that meant treats from Emma’s. Getting the things from my locker, I headed home. I didn’t feel like lingering today.

As soon as I made it home, I felt the emptiness of my place. It was sleek, modern décor in blacks and whites, way more space for me and my parents when they were visiting. The house I bought in Sunny Pines was supposed to be done in a couple of months. When Max mentioned he had houses, I thought they would be fully done, but that was not the case. I didn’t even get a chance to see it since I had to fly out, so I’d just told him which of the two I wanted through the phone.

When the door to my pad opened, I knew it was Leo, my PR manager, since my parents were out of town. The only other person with the code was Tracy, and she didn’t come to clean until tomorrow morning.

“What are you doing in sweats? We have the release of your new line in an hour.”

“I’ll just change into those other sweats in thirty. I just got home. Give me a second.”

My new line was finally going to be out, and I was excited as hell. A clothing line never crossed my mind in college, nor did the campaign ads or the charities that came along with the gig. Going pro was more than just playing ball.

One hour later, I was at our PR party with a shitload of people I didn’t know, but at the moment, I didn’t care much, since twenty percent of my cut from sales would be going to low-income schools and their sports programs. There was so much talent out there, but not everyone had the means to discover it. Unfortunately, you couldn’t make it on ability alone. You needed the discipline to go to practices, and for that, your parents had to sacrifice a lot, and I knew that it was sometimes hard to choose between new cleats and paying the gas bill. So setting up a foundation had always been a dream of mine. If I could give just one kid the chance that was given to me, my life would be complete.

“Don’t look, but that woman over there has been eyeing you all night,” Leo said as he came to hand me a drink.

“Bro, this is my fucking party. Of course, she’s been eyeing me all night.”

Leo miled at me and clapped my back. “Well, if you’re interested, she’s the one looking lonely by the bar.”

After he left, I looked by the bar, and not going to lie, I liked what I saw. Tan skin, long hair, a little piercing in her nose, and she was wearing my new merch. A crop top that showcased that little belly piercing and the tight yoga pants cupping the most perfect ass.

Oh yeah, I’m interested.

As I made my way to her, I was cut off by one of the company's fashion directors.

“Mr. Hardwell.”

“Yes?”

“We haven’t had the chance to give you the custom item you asked for.”

Up until that moment, I had forgotten all about that request I’d made after coming home from Sunny Pines.

“Thanks,” I mumbled as I took the package.

I made my way to the woman who was pretending not to look at me. She did a fine job of acting like I wasn’t a big deal.

It was cute.

In my experience, women played two games. One, they were confident because a man like me needed a boss babe next to him. The second was the game my target was currently playing. Acted like my presence didn’t affect them. The closer I got, the more she would fidget, her body going still so she wouldn’t turn to make sure I was still making my way toward her.

It was getting old, but it was cute.

“Having fun?” I asked once I was in front of her.

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