Page 6 of West Bound

“Please let this be good news,” I beg when I answer her call once I’m in the stairwell.

CeCe exhales loudly into my phone's speaker and immediately I feel my pulse race. “I’ve got a huge scoop for you. Wanna meet for an early lunch and talk about it? I feel like this is face-to-face news.”

Not at all what I wanted to hear on Monday morning.

“Not really, but it’s probably best to be in public so I don’t fly off the handle and hurl myself out of the fifth story window.”

“I’m sorry, babe. Meet you at Anita’s in twenty?” She asks, figuring my favorite Tex-Mex joint will ease the blow that is coming my way.

“Yeah. See you then.” I end the call with an irritated goodbye and head back to my desk to gather my purse.

“Why so sad, little lady?” Dan chirps once I make it back to my desk.

“Shut it, Danny boy, and go back to your coloring book while you wait for the blue ribbon heifer to be crowned.” I snatch my purse by the strap and fling it, accidentally, in his direction, narrowly missing his smug face.

CHAPTER TWO

VIVIAN

I push my way through the throngs of Houstonians as they move like fish swimming upstream in the underground tunnels. The city is so damn hot that instead of men and women crowding the streets of downtown, an entire network of underground tunnels lead to businesses like dentists and travel agents along with restaurants and boutiques.

I walk up to Anita’s and spot CeCe already sitting at a table with drinks in hand. She must’ve taken the metro or an Uber to beat me here since the stadium was further from Anita’s than I was.

“Alright. Let’s get this over with,” I whine, pulling out my chair and sitting down across from her.

She pushes my soda towards me with a sympathetic look on her face. “Drink this.”

I pick up my cup and take a big swig. What I thought was plain soda burns its way down my throat causing me to choke and my eyes to water.

“What the hell, Cecilia?” I sputter.

CeCe reaches into her giant Louis and flashes me an empty bottle of Jack. “I might’ve added a splash to your coke.”

“A splash?” My throat is still tingling from the first gulp, but it doesn’t stop me from swallowing down another.

“The bottle wasn’t full. It’s all I had in my desk and I figured you could use a drink after what I’m about to tell you.” I sigh and sip on my midday cocktail. “The early reports are correct. The Bombers and Wranglers have worked out a trade for Phoenix. The contract is being finalized as we speak and he’ll start at tomorrow's game.”

My face pales and the alcohol in my stomach riots knowing that I am the on-field reporter which means I’ll be giving Phoenix his first interview after the game.

“I am really regretting passing up the fashion reporter position with Made Magazine right about now.” I sling the cup back and finish off the remnants of my drink.

“No you’re not. You would’ve hated writing about fabrics and the seasons ‘it’ color. Although,” she brings her finger to her lip and taps her long red nail against it. “Getting first dibs on clothing and purses and shoes that a designer sent your way would’ve been a key factor to making you my bestest of best friends.”

I dig an ice cube out of my cup and chuck it at her, smacking her right in the nose.

“You bitch,” she sneers and wipes the damp spot with her napkin

I just roll my eyes at her. “Is that all that was said in your long ass meeting?”

“No.” Her response is quick and clipped.

“What?” I ask when her jaw grows tight and her eyes dilate.

“Seems the Wranglers have a new owner.” My jaw drops and I slam my palm on the table.

“Shut the front door? Who is it?”

The sound of someone shouting, “Amanda Huginkiss, your order is ready” over the mass of patrons interrupts CeCe from continuing with her second shocking news of the day.

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