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“It means that you are always on your own schedule. You’re always with Savannah and after she graduates, you two will be inseparable.”
“Actually, I think she’s enjoying hanging out with Francesca and Alexandra and being around other women that understand this lifestyle. I just hope she doesn’t get the baby fever. We couldn’t handle three babies at the same time.”
“We are rich enough that we can hire a nanny or three for the babies.” I laugh along with my friends. It feels like a lifetime ago that we’ve laughed together like this.
We laugh and joke like old times, and just for a second, I don’t hate myself. My phone rings as I pull into the parking garage to the club.
It’s Nick Valentino. I glance at the two men and say, “I’ve got to get this.”
“Hey, Nick, what’s going on?”
“Hey, I’m sorry to bother you on a game night, but I wanted to let you know that we just got your shipment.”
“Oh great. That is some of the best shit out there. Make sure you charge a premium for it. It’s harder to get, so we don’t want to just give it away.”
He chuckles. “Oh, we’re planning on it. I’ll keep you updated after the weekend, but I suspect it won’t make it past tomorrow. Hell, maybe even tonight.”
I end the call and follow the guys to the front door of the club. Fans scream and stop us to take a picture and get our autographs. After several minutes of interacting with the fans, Rhett politely tells them we will have more community events coming up and to enjoy their night.
When we are shown inside, I say, “That seemed to calm the fans down for a few minutes. Let’s hope the VIP lounge has great security.”
We are escorted to the top floor of the club, where we can see everything that is going on down below.
“Welcome to the black light club. My name is Desiree. Can I get you guys something to drink? Beer? Wine? Champagne? Maybe something a little stronger?”
“Beer, please.” I say before making my way to the furthest couch in the corner of the lounge. I pass a pool table and a poker table where the guys are challenging one another.
“Here’s your beer, sir.” The waitress bats her fake eyelashes and bends forward a little too much to show off her fake tits.
“Thanks.” I grumble, not wanting to make conversation.
Rhett and Spencer mingle with the other teammates, but glance at me every now and then. I raise my beer and plaster on a fake smile.
I could be doing this at home, where it’s quiet and peaceful. Not here where everyone’s goal is to get drunk and hook up.
Bottle service girls take turns coming over to me under the guise of checking on me, but they’re really coming over to flirt. I politely turn every one of them down.
They aren’t who I want.
Rhett plops down on the couch next to me. “Alright, Mr. Sourpuss, what can we do to turn your night around?”
“Let me go home, where I can be alone with my thoughts, my booze, and my favorite snack food.”
He shakes his head. “Tonight is supposed to distract you from your real-life problems. Tonight, you can be whoever you want to be. You can dance, flirt with women, or just hang out with your teammates, who want to celebrate the best game of your career.”
“Fine.” I huff and get up. “One game of nine ball, and then I’m going home.”
“Fine by me, but you are playing the winner of Spencer and Chase.”
Chase wins and downs his beer. “I guess you are just too old to keep up, Reed. The young guns are coming for your jobs.”
“When you make it to the championship and win your first cup, then you can talk.” Spencer tosses his cue to me and shoves past Chase.
“Let’s make this quick. I’ll break.” I say as I chalk my stick.
I roll my shoulders and stretch my neck from side to side before leaning forward and lining up my shot.
I slowly pull the cue back and slam it into the cue ball. The balls on the table scramble and bounce off the banks. Two balls make it into the corner pockets.