Page 45 of The Player's Obsession

Things between us need to look serious if we’re to be engaged before this weekend.

Tonight could not have gone better. Out of habit, I looked for her in the stands, but when I saw Penelope–I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. She was so cute in my oversized jersey, smiling and waving.

The drive home was spent lost in daydreams about my dark-eyed vixen. So engrossed was I in these thoughts that I barely noticed arriving home, almost on autopilot as I pulled into my garage. Walking through the house, I head upstairs and quickly change into my loungewear. Settling in front of the TV, I begin flipping through channels, searching for the latest news and stock market updates. This routine is my way of unwinding after the game. Suddenly, a news flash catches my attention: there’s been an unexpected spike in sales of my jersey. That’s peculiar – I’ve never been particularly popular.

"After catching up on the news, I switch off the TV and lights. Normally, I'd find myself scrolling through Melanie’s social media, but tonight, that urge has faded. Instead, as I drift off to sleep, my thoughts are filled with Penelope.

I wake up to my phone ringing and pick it up. The screen shows ten o’clock, and Travis is calling. I say hello and put him on speaker so I can pull on a pair of jeans.

“Well, congrats, you and Penelope made the headlines.”

I stagger downstairs, still sleepy and unprepared to be sensualized by the media.

“What are you talking about?”

“Dude, you’re trending on social media. Someone posted photos of you two at the game, and it’s blowing up the internet.”

“No way!” I did not expect this.

Shit.

This is not how I want my parents to find out. I tell them everything. They either watch the games at home or attend my games. How am I going to explain this? Especially to my mom, who gets all her news from Facebook.

Wait, if Travis noticed that means Melanie has seen it too.Great! This wasn’t part of the plan, but if it steals some of the spotlight from her wedding, all the better. Who said revenge wasn’t fun?

“So, who is she? What’s she like?”

“You’ll get to meet her this weekend. She’s attending the festivities with me.”

“It’s about time you moved on and found someone new.”

“Yeah, I think this one is a keeper.”

“Glad to hear it. I’ll see you at the party.”

I put my phone down and flip the coffee machine on. The phone buzzes and vibrates on the marble counter, startling me. It’s my brother. I answer.

“Hey, I’m at the airport. Just got off the plane. Dude, your girl is hot. Someone made a video of you two making goo-goo eyes at each other and posted it on TikTok. Tell me you’re tapping that ass.”

“That’s rude.” I need more than just coffee to deal with his overly chipper and flippant remarks. As usual, Michael is too much too soon. I haven’t looked at my social media feeds and try not to pay attention to crap people post about me. I prefer to follow my friends and watch live feeds or reels of games. I’m amazed the public even cares who I’m dating. I always assumed the media attention I got with Melanie was due to her popularity, not mine.

“Come on. Don’t hold out on me. Have you seen her tits yet?”

“Damn, Michael, you’re talking about a person, not a blow-up doll.”

“Come on, man. I’m in between women right now. You can give me something,” he pleads.

“I’ll tell you this, she’s nothing like Melanie. And you’re forgetting this is fake. Don’t get any ideas about meddling in my business.”

“Hey, I’m the one who came up with this brilliant idea, so don’t get pissy with me.” His tone changes from teasing to back-the-fuck-off. “Besides, I'm happy for you. Your weekend will be a blast as long as she’s not one of those girls who gets drunk and picks a fight with everyone or throws up in the pool.”

Shit, what if she does? I barely know the girl. We had one date. She didn’t drink much. When I checked her criminal history, there were no DUIs.

“I don’t think I have anything to worry about. I mean, she’s an accountant. What’s she going do, get drunk and do my taxes?”

“Now that’s someone we need in the family,” he chuckles.

“Look, I have to pack. I’ll call you later.” I need to end this conversation before my brother convinces me to keep Penelope.

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