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Training camp and preseason start in August, and I don’t see much of Derek. He has practice, and travels for games. He texts me, and we see each other when we can. I think the distance does us some good. It’s good for me, anyway. I have more time to focus on the design clients I’ve picked up. It will still be a while before I’m earning enough to quit what I’ve now labeled my day job, but at least I’m on my way.
I go a few weeks without seeing Selene, simply because we’re both busy, but she tells me over the phone that she’s not so sure about Matthew anymore. She says he gets moody and ignores her. I tell her to dump his dumb ass and find someone who isn’t shitty to her. I don’t know if she’ll listen to me.
As far as Braxton, after Leavenworth he goes totally dark. I don’t see him or hear from him at all. I notice a few vague Facebook status updates that make me wonder what’s going on with him, but he doesn’t call.
Of course, neither do I. I’m not sure what to say to him.
Derek texts me on a Tuesday, asking if I want to get together tonight. Five minutes later, I get the same text from Selene. I waffle a bit, trying to decide what to do, and wind up telling Selene I just heard from Derek. I suggest we all meet up somewhere. Everyone seems happy with that plan.
I head home after work to change. I’m feeling kind of saucy, so I put on a red halter top, black miniskirt, and a gorgeous new pair of black heels. They have just a hint of shimmer, plus they’re high so I won’t feel like such a shorty next to all the tall people I hang out with.
Derek picks me up and leads me out to the curb. I don’t see his car. Instead, there’s a sexy black convertible Mercedes.
“Is this yours?” I ask.
“Yep,” he says, looking rather proud of himself. “I picked it up this morning.”
“It’s gorgeous,” I say.
Derek opens the door for me and I slide into the luxurious leather seat. He gets in, puts on a pair of sunglasses, and gives me a little smile. I have a good feeling about tonight.
We arrive at the bar and find Selene, sans Matthew.
“Aw, why are you here by yourself?” I ask, as I slide into the booth across from her.
“He’s sick,” she says. “But I wanted to see you, so I came anyway.”
“I’ll go get us drinks,” Derek says and heads for the bar.
I’m not sure if I want to know, but I figure I’ll take advantage of Derek’s absence to ask. “Is Braxton coming tonight?”
“Yeah, I talked to him earlier,” she says. “I’m surprised he isn’t here yet, actually.”
“He’s probably picking up Aubrey.”
Selene’s eyebrows draw down. “Aubrey? They broke up over a month ago.”
My mouth drops open, and I shut it as quickly as I can. “They did?”
“Yeah,” she says.
“Did she do it, or did he?” I ask.
“Oh, he did,” she says. “He didn’t say much about it. Just said it wasn’t working out.”
Holy shit. I feel like the floor just dropped out from under me. I start to stutter out a reply, but Derek comes back and hands me a beer.
“Here you go, babe,” he says.
“Thanks.”
Braxton walks in and saunters over to our table. He looks fucking amazing in a white t-shirt and jeans. There’s nothing fancy about his clothes, but let’s be honest, you don’t need fancy when you have a body like that. He locks eyes with mine and his lips turn up in a smile.
Oh god, Braxton. Don’t start looking at me like that tonight.
Derek puts an arm around me. He’s not usually very touchy, so it feels possessive.
“Derek,” Braxton says, with a nod. “Good game the other day, man. You’re looking good out there.” He looks from Selene to me. “How are my girls doing tonight?”
