Page 15 of Honey Pot

“It's our third anniversary, Clemmy,” he said with a sad whine in his voice. “I know you asked for space, and I'm willing to give it to you, but that felt special. We should still celebrate it-celebrate us.”

I tried to remember the list I made of all the things that made me want to be with Julien, but when I closed my eyes, Cael was staring back at me. His sweet, lopsided smile and big blue eyes knelt over me in my bed, hands all over my body.You will never kiss another boy again without thinking about me,he whispered.

Fuck Cael Cody.

“It was a nice sentiment, Julien,” I forced.

“How about I come over and cook you dinner?” He said, I could hear him shuffling around, preparing for my inevitable cave-in, but I couldn’t be bothered this time. I needed this break, I needed the time alone to get my thoughts straight.

“No, I don't think so. I need to pack.”

“Pack?” His tone dropped. “Where are you going?”

“Rhode Island. It's a placement piece for work. I'm not sure how long I'll be gone.” I offered, just trying to get him to drop the issue.

“That's vague, Clemmy,” he groaned. “I don't like it.”

I don't like when you call me Clemmy, but here we are.

“It doesn't matter what you like, Julien. We're on a break, remember?”

There was a long pause, but finally, he spoke again. “Yeah, I remember. I'm sorry, Babe, I just miss you somuch.”

“I'll call you when I get home and maybe we can meet for lunch.”I need to bring you the blood diamond sitting on my dresser,I said in my head as I rolled my eyes.

“Do you need a ride to the airport? When do you leave?” He asked.

“No,” I said. “I'll call you.”

I hung up before he could say anything else that would embarrass him.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes with the heels of my palm and sighed.

MATTHEWS

2024

I had managed the first weeks of interviews from my hotel’s board room downtown; mostly stuffy general managers and old white men who never played baseball but enjoyed the money it made them. I had been grabbed, pinched, hugged, and sexualized, but I had yet to see Cael Cody.

I knew today would be different the moment the car drove me out of the city and down toward the Harbor campus. Switching hotels had been a hassle, and it seemed like I would stillhave to drive an hour into the city every night after I was finished at the stadium. It was annoying but I’d manage.

Rhode Island was gorgeous; large oak trees tangled together and rained down red, orange, and brown throughout the wide paved roads that led up to the University. I’d tucked into a tight pair of jeans and a form-fitting dark blouse that showed off the swell of my breasts. I’d thought about wearing something more formal, but it struck me that most of the people I would be meeting today absolutely would not care how I was dressed.

They’d all be in sweats and gym clothes anyway.

The feathery edges of my freshly cut brown hair rubbed against my jawline as I stepped from the car and carried my belongings to the front entrance. The stadium was massive, bigger than I had ever expected and it was incredible in design. Long, swooping architecture collided with strong navy blue steel beams and frosted glass. It was beautiful.

I snapped a photo of the Hornets’ blue and yellow logo painted on the main door and texted it to Bobbi.

Welcome to Hell.

I hit send and pulled it open stepping into an empty brick hallway. It was early as hell, and rolling out of bed before five was not something I had wanted to do, but when Ryan Cody, head coach, emailed me instructing me to arrive early, I listened.

I had a bone to pick.

Looking around and attempting not to appear too lost, I wandered into an empty office to my left that was labeled ‘main’ and hoped to at least find a person.

“Well, aren't you a pretty thing?” An older lady walked out from a back office in a Harbor hoodie and a pair of jeans. “What can I help you with?”

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