Page 48 of Hard Ball

My eyes roll as we both take a breath and watch a few minutes of the game.

“Since when does my love life land on the desk of the men upstairs?” I say after a beat of silence and when I look over at Justin, he’s grimacing.

“When their star player is spending more time seeking pussy and less time on the field.”

I slam my hand on the bar, causing everyone around us to look our way.

“If I ever hear you refer to Harper as pussy again, I will not only dump the rest of this beer over your head but also—” I would have threatened to punch him but we both know that wouldn’t help and it would just be another headline for me to explain.

“Noted. But in all seriousness, what’s going on, Josh?”

I spend the next thirty minutes reluctantly going through my entire relationship with Harper,

“So, it’s serious?” he asks as if the way I was talking about her earlier wasn’t a clue.

“Of course, it is. I wouldn’t have talked to you about her if it wasn’t.”

He nods his head, finishing off his beer and turning on his stool to face me.

“Good. Just remember that if this relationship distracts you in any way, management will know, and they will come at you hard. After the glorious season you had last year and the contract they’re willing to offer you at the end of this season, they want productivity, not gossip headlines.”

I give him a curt nod before he pats me on my shoulder and stands up.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have some more phone calls to make.”

I tip back my head, finishing the last of my beer and I’m about to stand up when I feel a hand on the back of my shoulder and when my head turns to see who it is, every muscle in my body tightens.

“Well hello there, gorgeous.” Her fingers flick over my chest as I turn away from her, trying my best to get out of her grip, but am stopped by the bar behind me.

“Angela. What are you doing here?” I ask, hoping I can make this a quick conversation and avoid a repeat of the last time she touched me like this.

“I saw you talking to that guy and thought I would sneak over and see if you wanted to get a drink.”

I take a deep breath and count to ten because I know whatever was going to come out of my mouth would either cause her to scream in my face or slap me. And neither of those options seemed like a good idea.

“You just thought you would come over and have a drink with me, even though I’m dating Harper?” My eyes narrow and I wonder if all girls are this idiotic or just her, because she knows I’m with Harper. We haven’t hidden it.

“Yes, yes, we all know you’re seeing her, but what I really want to know is when you’ll need an upgrade.” She wags her eyebrows as I hold in the bile that’s risen in my throat.

“And you think you’re the upgrade?” I ask, leaning back against the bar as she gives me what I assume is her impression of a seduction routine, but instead comes across as desperate and needy.

“Well,” she purrs, her fingers lightly tracing down the buttons of my shirt.

It doesn’t escape me how different this feeling is compared to earlier when Harper did the same thing. Everything in me wants to revolt against her touch, but I know if I do, it will only make this worse and she will definitely create a scene.

“I know for a fact that I know what you want from a woman, I know that you have needs, needs that I know Harper won’t be able to live up to.”

I lean down, ready to tell her just how wrong she is when her lips sear to mine, her arms wrapping around my shoulders. Just as I’m about to push her off, we’re separated by the sound of a throat clearing behind Angela. And when I open my eyes, my entire world crashes into itself.

“Glad to see your meeting went well,” Harper sneers as her eyes take in the scene. Angela’s lipstick on my lips, her fingers still gripping my shirt and my eyes wide in shock.

“Harper, Sunshine…” I start but she holds up her hands and goes to say something but before she can, she shakes her head and turns, walking out the front door.

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