Page 95 of Throwing the Curve

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled then opened the front door. “Hey Kendall.”

“Hi, sorry to just stop by unannounced.” Kendall smiled and pulled a takeout bag from behind her back. “I brought provisions. Any chance I can come in?”

“Sure.” Peyton stepped back to allow the other woman in. “You want a beer?”

“Love one, thanks.” Kendall followed Peyton into the kitchen and peeked around. “Your place is cute.”

“My place is a dump,” Peyton replied.

“No, the building is a dump, your place is cute. You’ve got a good eye for decorating. It’s homey. I like it.”

“Thanks.” Taking the takeout bag from Kendall, Peyton emptied the contents on the kitchen counter.

“I didn’t know what you liked, but I figured you can’t go wrong with grease after a breakup.”

“Why are you bringing me breakup food? Aren’t I like enemy number one now?”

“God, no.” Kendall leaned against the counter. “My brother is an idiot.”

“True,” Peyton agreed.

“If it’s any consolation, he knows he was an idiot.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because he’s all mopey and doesn’t want to do anything. His game has gone to shit.” Kendall paused and watched Peyton, scrutinizing her for so long Peyton wanted to squirm. “I’ve never seen my brother like this. Even when he broke up with Denise, he wasn’t like this.”

“Who’s Denise?”

“Umm.” Kendall looked down at her feet and slowly crossed one foot over the other. “Crap. He never told you about her?”

“Nope.”

“He’s going to kill me but—” Kendall picked up her beer and took a sip. “Maybe we should sit down, eat and the story can kind of roll out of my mouth that way it won’t really be my fault that I spilled my brother’s secrets because we were telling war stories over drinks and well…what can you do?” Kendall chewed her bottom lip. “That sounds believable, right?”

“Definitely,” Peyton agreed. She grabbed a couple of plates and started dishing up the fried chicken, fries, and gravy that Kendall had brought. Plate in hand, she led the way into the living room and dropped onto the couch. After several minutes of eating in silence, she pressed Kendall. “Denise?”

“First, how are you doing with everything? I haven’t really talked to you.” Kendall’s eyes softened with compassion as she looked at Peyton. “I’m sorry about the video I can’t even imagine.”

Peyton’s stomach knotted. Even just thinking about it made her feel sick. “I’m okay, about as good as you’d expect.”

Kendall leaned back in the chair and curled her right leg underneath her, shifting her weight until she seemed comfortable. “How’s work?”

“It’s good. Thankfully, no repercussions from the video.” Peyton still couldn’t believe she’d dodged that bullet. And so far, none of the kids had heard about the video. Thank god, because that was not something she wanted to explain to them. When everything first happened, she’d been sure the Hawks’ would pull their contract and she’d lose her job. That hadn’t happened. Kirsty had come in to talk to her about everything and reassured her the Hawks’ management was doing everything they could to make it disappear. They’d been worried she’d make a public issue for Simon and the team, which was laughable. All she’d wanted was for it to go away. The last thing she wanted was to make it public. Not a chance.

“I’m glad. I know Pete and Ryan both said it wouldn’t affect your career, but I was worried.”

Her chest tightened. Ryan had talked to his sister about his concerns for her career. Why had he done that? She chewed her bottom lip. “What did Ryan say?”

Kendall looked down at her beer and slowly peeled the label down the glass. “He was pretty tight-lipped other than saying he wouldn’t let it affect you. Pete said Ryan’s been in several meetings with management but other than that I don’t know much They just said it wouldn’t affect your career. Sorry I don’t know more than that.”

“That’s okay.” Her heart thumped in her chest. Had Ryan really done meetings with his team to protect her? He’d said he wouldn’t let anything happen to her, but things change. She pursed her lips. No, that wasn’t fair. Ryan knew how important the program was. He wouldn’t let anything happen to it. Peyton took a sip of her water and set the glass back on the side table. “So Denise?”

“Right.” Kendall set her plate on the coffee table. She leaned back in her chair, pulled her knees up to her chest, and wrapped her arms around her legs. “So, Denise was my brother’s girlfriend in college. They were pretty serious, or at least we all thought they were. I’m not sure. She was one of those girls, you know.” Kendall took a sip of her drink.

“What kind of girls?”

“Gorgeous.” Kendall rolled her eyes. “We’re talking like one of those women who makes other women feel instantly insecure about their appearance because she’s that freaking beautiful.”

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