Page 68 of The Baller

I picked up the bottle, bringing it to my lips as I nodded.

“Is she okay?”

There was something about Tanner’s uncharacteristically quiet voice that caught in my throat. I didn’t know the answer.

My heart still hadn’t settled from the pounding I’d been trying to quiet down since the second I’d spotted Radley sitting at that table. I’d never seen anyone so frightened.

Correction: it had been a long time since I’d seen someone that frightened.

Hence the tequila.

It might appear like I was holding my shit together, but it was all an act. The second her security had left, I’d dragged her down the hallway and into my bathroom. It was the only thing I knew would help with whatever this situation was that we were in. I’d still been holding her hand when I’d turned the faucets on, and only let go when she’d pointed it out.

I hadn’t wanted to let go.

I’d stood there as the bath filled and the steam swirled in the air around us, staring at her soft, golden gaze. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy, yet I’d never seen anyone so beautiful. I’d gently pressed my lips to hers and left with the instruction to take as long as she needed.

I left her before I did something stupid, like get in with her.

My eyes flashed up to Parker and Tanner, who were still staring at me. “I don’t know. I don’t know if she’s okay.”

“What just happened?”

“I dunno.” I shook my head, raking my hands through my hair and gripped the strands. “Something. It wasn’t good. Have either of you heard of a guy called Christopher Ellington?”

They both shook their head as Tanner picked up the tequila, swigged it, winced, and frowned at the bottle like he’d been forced to drink it. “Radley didn’t look good. She looked…”

“Sad?”

“No,” I replied and shook my head again. I knew it wasn’t sadness, and I was so in my thoughts that it took me a moment to realize it was quieter in here than usual. “Where’s Ace?”

“He went to meet Payton for lunch,” replied Tanner, grabbing his stomach as it rumbled loudly. “Should we order lunch?”

I shook my head no. “I’ll make it. I need something to do.”

“I’m happy you said that because I’m in the mood for tacos, and it just so happens that I found all the ingredients,” Parker grinned. “What do we do about Special Agent America and his sidekick?”

Fuck.I’d forgotten about them. I just brought her back without thinking through any logistics, or her entourage.

“Do you think we need to tell the concierge there’s Secret Service in the building?”

I shrugged, because it was all I could do. I had no fucking clue. We already had doormen, and I knew the underground parking was monitored 24/7. Someone would start asking questions soon, and Ireallydidn’t want badges flashed around.

“I dunno. They can’t stay down there all weekend, can they?”

“Is that how long she’s staying?”

“Yes,” I replied. Over my dead body was she going back to her dorm when her roommate was gone, only to be alone all weekend. Even though I was still piecing together the details of why she’d had a panic attack, I knew it had to do with the story she’d told me a few weeks ago about photos being leaked. I also knew her being alone right now wouldn’t help. “It’s Friday, and she doesn’t have class until Monday, so she’ll stay here. Is that cool?”

We never had girls stay in the apartment – at least not to hang out. Payton stayed sometimes, but Ace was at her place more than she was here. I knew there was a significant pleading in my eyes when I looked up.

“You know my motto,” grinned Tanner. “The more the merrier.”

He didn’t notice Parker’s suspicious looking side-eye as he hopped off his stool. “You’ve literally never said that.”

“Well, I’m saying it now.”

I reached into the cabinet below the island and grabbed the chopping board. “Are there any spare apartments in this building? They could take one of those.”

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