Long Ball(29)

I hadn’t forgotten she was my date, but I’d hoped she would rescind the offer, being that she was sleeping with my teammate and all. Unless that was all just locker room talk. I wouldn’t doubt either case.

“Of course. I hadn’t forgotten.” I flash her a grin and keep her a healthy distance away. Truly, I wanted to take Megan. I haven’t seen her in two weeks and I’d love to show her off, but I don’t think it’s her kind of event.

“Pick me up at six-thirty.” She waves goodbye with a smile and swings her hips as she walks away.

Great. Great. I can do this.

And that’s exactly what I tell myself as I go home to get dressed. Megan shoots me a text to ask about dinner plans, and it pains me to let her down. If I could skip this thing I would, but charity events are a Must Attend in the club. Unless I was in the hospital, I had to go. Coach would send me straight down to Trip A if I tried to get out of it.

I don’t tell her I’m going with Shelbie because… I don’t know. I don’t want her to be jealous? I don’t want her to think she’s not important? Probably closer to I don’t think she’d understand. Our lifestyles are so different. Hers is quiet and simple, mine is loud and complex. I want her in my life, every facet of it, but I don’t think I can just dump her into the center of it. She needs to be eased in.

It doesn’t stop me from feeling like shit for it. The whole way to Megan’s apartment, I’m thinking of Megan and hoping she doesn’t stalk social media for pictures of the charity ball. I don’t want her to think I’m afraid of letting her into my life.

Because I’m not.

I don’t know. It’s complicated. It feels hard and absurd, like this shouldn’t be an issue. What if I’m not as ready to commit as I thought? What if all these doubts are stupid excuses because to make me feel better about going to a party with another woman, because I don’t think Megan will fit?

It’s bullshit, I know it is. Megan and I fit like a glove, like the way a bat fits against your shoulder.

“It’s just complicated,” I breathe out, standing outside Shelbie’s door. It’s not like I’m invited into every facet of Megan’s life either, right?

“Don’t you look handsome?” Shelbie throws open the door, revealing a tight-fitting and very sparkly dress that flatters her, ah, assets quite nicely. I keep my eyes trained on the elaborate painting on the wall behind her.

“Thank you,” I do a half bow because I’m an idiot. She laughs. “You look wonderful. The cameras are going to eat you up.”

“Here’s hoping.” She winks at me and brushes past me into the hall. All I can do is follow.

The drive to the event is quiet save for the radio. We don’t even look at each other and it’s unbearably uncomfortable. Normally I like the quiet, but this feels loaded. Still, not a word is uttered until we pull up to the line for the red carpet.

Shelbie checks her lipstick in the mirror and clears her throat. “Listen, about Jose…”

“What you and Octivio do is your business.” I spread my hands and shake my head. “I don’t really care.”

She looks a little hurt, but I don’t know what else she expected? “I just didn’t think you were that interested. And you never called me back.”

“You’re right. I didn’t. I’m sorry.”

“Friends, right? We don’t need to be weird about this. We just didn’t click. I don’t resent you for that.”

My chest feels a little lighter, even though she’s the one who ditched me. Well, I guess technically I ditched her for a fantasy about Megan, but that’s beside the point. Right? “Absolutely, Shelbie. If he doesn’t treat you right, you tell me. We’ll kick his ass in the clubhouse.”

Shelbie exhales deeply and smiles at me, a real smile. “Thanks, Jamie. That means a lot. I was really nervous about tonight, but I think we’ll have a good time.”

“You sure Octivio won’t try to start anything?”

“Oh, goodness no.” Shelbie reapplies her lipstick and fixes her hair as we inch forward. “He’s bringing his sister tonight, you know, and he’d never start anything in front of her. Besides, he’s under the impression you’re seeing someone else…”

I let her question hang in the air unanswered.

“I mean, if there is someone else…”

I just look at her, eyebrows knitted. “Does it matter?”

Something on her face changes. “I see, so you ditched me for someone else.”

“You just said…”

“Well, you should know that Jose is a hell of a lot better than you in the bedroom.”

“We didn’t even…”

“Do you see how hot I am?” She looks flushed and angry right now, and I’m at a total loss. I don’t even understand what’s going on right now. I thought we were fine three seconds ago. “This could have been yours, Jamie. These tits? These amazing tits could have been in your face all night. I hope you understand what you missed out on.”

I’m utterly speechless, gaping at her, and the nice mask slides back over her demon face. “Now, shut up and play nice in front of the cameras.”

The doors swing open and we hop out to a symphony of camera flashes. I mentally slap myself to get my head in the game and smile for everyone, even though all I want to do is karate chop this bitch into next week. God, talk about dodging a bullet. She’s insane. I’d wish Octivio good luck, but right now, I kind of think he deserves her.