Page 64 of Jilted

“Like Andrew?”

I nodded. “He might technically work for me, but I need him much more than he needs me. I’d be screwed without him.”

Sloane smiled. “He speaks highly of you, too—in between the stories of what a jerk you are.”

I grinned. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Sloane pointed up to the rafters, to the six oversized jerseys hanging there. “Your jersey is still up there?”

I nodded. “They retired it the year after I stopped playing.”

“Wow. That’s a big honor, right?”

For a change, I downplayed the accomplishment. “I guess.”

We both stared up for a while. I didn’t realize I was smiling until Sloane interrupted. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“What do you mean?”

“You look like your thoughts are up to no good.”

I smiled. “I was just thinking, I’d love to see you wearing my jersey.”

She laughed. “I may have to, if they don’t find my luggage soon.”

I lowered my voice. “Well, if that’s the case, I was thinking just the jersey—no underwear, no bra.”

“Hey, Hayes! Can I get your autograph?”

I had my hand on the restaurant door, about to open it for Sloane, when a kid who was probably about thirteen or fourteen yelled over. “Do you mind?”

“Of course not.”

I walked over to the kid and his friends. The one who’d yelled took off his sneaker and held it out to me.

“You have something for me to sign it with?”

“Shit. No.”

“Watch your mouth.” I thumbed to Sloane, who stood next to me. “There’s a lady here.”

The kid looked her up and down and grinned. “She’s hot. Is she your girlfriend?”

I chuckled. “I’m working on it. Maybe you can help me out? Tell her how good a player I was.”

The kid looked at Sloane. “He was great. The best. Except for that playoff game where you sucked.”

I frowned. “Thanks, buddy.”

The kid looked over his shoulder at his friends. “Don’t one of you have a pen?”

They all shrugged.

I shook my head. “Hang on a second.”

I went into the restaurant and asked the maître d’ to borrow something to write with.

Back outside, I uncapped the felt-tip marker as I spoke to the kid. “What’s your name?”

---