Page 101 of West Bound

Cisco looks over to where Manny sits reviewing his last play on the iPad.

“Something I’ll never forget,” he whispers. “If he really did what you think he did, I want to pulverize his ass and make him pay not just for you and me, but for Red. She doesn’t deserve that shit.”

I gulp, taking my grape gum with it, and give Cisco a small nod of my head. “Thanks, man. It means a lot to me.”

He claps my shoulder and squeezes. “No problem, man. And don’t worry. We’ll help you get your girl back.”

The last batter strikes out and I pop up from the bench and grab my glove. Just before I exit the dugout, I look over at Vivian to find her staring at me. Our eyes connect and for a moment I think she’s going to smile and say she loves me, but she quickly turns to look back at the field and my hope falters a little.

“So we’ve got me, you and Philo at one table,” Tucker rehashes as we drive to the bar where the team usually celebrates.

I haven’t gone in a few weeks because I did my celebrating between Vivian’s thighs. I didn’t need to be surrounded by guys and cleat chasers when I had the most beautiful woman waiting for me at home.

“And Cis is going to move his way into sit with Manny and Rami once Brianna gets there,” he finishes.

“Are you sure Manny won’t be suspicious?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry about it. Rami will be with him and we’ve talked to a couple other guys who are on your side. It’ll just seem like Cis is talking with them.”

I twist in my seat to look in the back at Cisco and ask him, “and you’re sure your friend isn’t going to spill the beans?”

“Positive, man. I’ve done a lot for her and her son ever since her deadbeat boyfriend took off, so she said that if this is all I’m asking for in return, she’ll gladly play the part.”

I close my eyes and rest my head against the seat of Tuck's truck and get lost in the images of Vivian that have been burned into my mind.

We’ve been at this bar for two hours and I can say without a doubt, I hate the bar scene and I just want to be in bed with my Peaches. Instead, I’m watching that prick Manny slam one shot after the other that is offered to him. The other guys helping us out said Manny gets loose lips when he starts slamming shots. So I gave the bartender my card, told her to give the guys whatever they wanted, and to not tell dickhead Manny that I’m the one picking up the tab.

Cisco stands from his seat next to another teammate and I follow his line of sight to see a gorgeous blonde woman sauntering her way over to him. I assume this is his “friend” Brianna and she’s ready to get this thing started.

I sit back with Tuck and Philo and watch it all play out.

She walks over to their section and says something to Cisco. He nods and tells the bouncer to let her in. He moves the rope and she steps up to where they sit, one sexy leg after the other.

She hugs Cisco and I see Manny rake his eyes up and down her body, licking his lips as he does. He looks over at Rami and smacks his chest, nodding for him to look at her. Brianna pretends to be oblivious to their blatantly obvious perusal of her body in the tight red dress, and laughs at something Cisco says.

He holds out his hand and offers a seat. She moves in to sit right next to Manny and shakes his hand when he introduces himself.

I continue to watch it all play out, sipping on my soda and lime to make it look like I’m also drinking.

“I’m gonna go over there. Seems like we might be getting closer to the big moment.” Philo stands and makes his way to their table that has grown increasingly more crowded.

“Don’t forget,” Tuck calls out, reminding him to turn on the voice recorder on his phone.

Philo gives him a thumbs up and goes to sit near the guys.

“It’s gonna work, Nix. I know it. Even more so after I heard him talking about how he wanted to ‘comfort Red’ after you cheated on her.”

“But I didn’t ch—“

“I know, man. We all do. But we’re playing a role so we’re just going with it.”

Tuck informed me a couple days ago that he heard Manny talking to Rami about making a move on Vivian now that I was out of the picture. I wanted so badly to drive to his house and burn the damn thing down with him inside. But all that would get me is jail time and I definitely don’t think Vivian would be open to conjugal visits.

Philo makes eye contact with us and then down to his phone. I feel mine begin to buzz and pull it out of my pocket to see a text telling me to answer but not say anything.

A second later my phone lights up with a call from Philo and I answer it and hear the conversation of everyone at the table.

“So Cisco,” Brianna says. “I hear you’re friends with Phoenix West.”

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