Page 31 of The Keeper
“This is why you shouldn’t ever listen to a word that man says,” Jeremy says softly. “He’s fucking wasted, thinking only of himself. Thenerveof him to bring up Carter Lincoln as if he’s someone you should… I can’t even…” Jeremy stops, unable to finish his statement. I can feel the rage rolling off of him in waves.
“Thanks Jer, but I don’t want to talk about it. Can you just take me home?”
Jeremy searches my eyes before nodding. We load our trays with our trash, shove it in one of the trashcans, and head for the exit.
My brain feels fuzzy, like it always does after seeing, speaking to, or hearing from my dad. I still feel the twinge of embarrassment, but also the beginnings of anger and frustration, at the idea that my dad is going to grace me with his presence on Wednesday. I’ve gotten through all of college without him humiliating me like he did when I was in high school, showing up blitzed at my matches and causing such a problem that he was eventually banned from the games. I can’t imagine what it is that’s made him to want to come to this game.
Why now?
We’re walking out from Ricardo’s, my mind still trudging through the fog, when I see him. At first, I’m so confused that I’m sure my mind is playing tricks.
Mack, dressed in a suit, walking down the Avenue of the Stars.
My body betrays me as my heart begins to race. For just a brilliant moment, thoughts of my dad and the impending game vanish. He looks so handsome, his tailored suit showing off his trim hips and broad shoulders. I’m surprised he was able to get showered and changed after practice so quickly. I’m surprised to see him in Hollywood at all, considering how large this area is and the fact we could have missed each other if either of us had left moments earlier.
But mostly, I’m surprised to see him strolling down the street without a care in the world, hand-in-hand with Ronnie Kade.
The fog clears quickly and I feel like my heart has slammed into a brick wall. My eyes, still slightly glassy with the tears I had refused to let fall over my dad’s callous voicemail, begin to water again as I take them in, laughing together in an easy way as they walk in our direction.
Damn, they look like they’re in a movie. All they’re missing is a soundtrack.
But his relaxed smile vanishes and his steps falter when he sees me. His eyes flicker from me to Jeremy, who seems oblivious to the riot of emotions currently rushing through my body.
“Mack!” Jeremy shouts in jovial greeting. “How are you, man?”
Mack and Jeremy approach each other and do that bro-hug handshake combo thing that guys do.
“Jeremy. Rachel.” Mack nods at both of us, his face nearly expressionless, though his eyes stay rooted on me.
My gaze, however, strays to the right. To the absolutely breathtaking model who has snuggled herself into his side, still clutching his hand. She wraps her other arm around his, her head leaning comfortably on his shoulder like she’s done it a thousand times. She’s an amazon, her gorgeous pitch-black hair shining in the fading sunlight. She oozes sex and confidence in a tight, short, red number that clings to her amazing figure and huge breasts.
Suddenly, I realize the four of us are standing in silence as I stare at her. My eyes shoot to Jeremy, who is looking at me expectantly.
“I’m sorry, what?” I ask, feeling like an absolute idiot.
“Mack just introduced you to Ronnie,” Jeremy says softly.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I nearly trip stepping forward, my hand extended. “I’ve had a really long day. It’s nice to meet you,” I say, forcing a smile that feels anything but genuine.
Ronnie beams a megawatt smile at me, oblivious to my discomfort, accepting my hand in a light shake. “You too, Rochelle.”
“It’s Rachel,” I hear from Mack, but I refuse to connect my eyes with his again.
“So, what are you two up to tonight?” The question is out before I can stop it, and I wish I could reach out and grab the words and stuff them back into my mouth.
“Just grabbing a quick bite, catching up on life,” Ronnie replies, “and getting in some quality time.” She glances up at Mack with what I can only imagine are her bedroom eyes.
My mouth goes dry and I feel like my stomach has dropped three feet.
There it is.
Confirmation that my fears about Mack and Ronnie aren’t entirely unfounded.
I quickly try to shake the unsettling feeling that Mack thought I could be a quick bang between models and actresses. But the image before me doesn’t leave room for much else. Mack and Ronnie, out on the town, dressed to the nines, before heading home for what will probably be mind-blowing, loud, sweaty, dirty sex across the kitchen island in what is probably a mansion on the beach.
When my eyes dart to Mack, I see he’s staring at me unabashedly. His eyes are glued to mine, pleading with me. I can only assume he’s hoping I won’t spill the beans now that I know our kiss was… nothing compared to whatever he shares with Ronnie.
“Well, we won’t keep you from your… quality time,” I choke out the words. “We’re just heading home. See you tomorrow, Coach.” I loop my arm in Jeremy’s and practically tug him away with me.
