Page 10 of Rebound

“The nerve,” I begin.

“Well, you and Layla can go to dinner,” Jeannie suggests, interrupting me. I widen my eyes at her and flare my nostrils. She knows I can’t stand this manwhore. All he does is sleep aroundwhen he’s not on the field. When he’s playing, he’s gyrating like a horny playboy on the court after each basket.

“Um, I’d rather eat with Lucifer,” I tell Jeannie. “He’s better looking, and I bet a lot more charming.”

“You think the devil would waste his time on a loser like you? Get over yourself. Come on. My treat,” he says.

“Who are you calling a loser, Whorekowski?”

“You.”

“Don’t you have about half a dozen Sethheads you can call?”

“Nah. They’re all busy tonight.” He grins. “I’m doing you a favor, anyway. You have zero friends.”

“I know for a fact I have more friends than you. And I’ll pass on the dinner invitation. First, I’d rather starve. Second, I hate you,” I remind him.

Aiden crosses his arms and scowls at me. I don’t know what it is, but he’s very protective of this fool. I can’t hurl a single insult at this clown without Aiden jumping in and defending him.

“Good, since I hate you too, but we can still eat. Jazzy, you want to eat eat?” He pretends to put a spoon in his mouth. Jasmine approves because she starts to clap her hands.

“Nom nom,” she says. He does something in sign language, and to my surprise, Jasmine signs back.

“I don’t eat with whores,” I say.

“Layla, stop. He’s left that behind and is doing his best. And stop using those words around Jasmine. Besides, who wouldn’t want to have dinner with my goddaughter?” Aiden takes Jasmine from me and holds her high above his head before he kisses both her fat cheeks.

“Fine, but I want lobster,” I tell him. “Let’s go. And you’re taking me home afterward.”

“If you want lobster, you’ll have to put out,” he jokes.

“Dinner’s off,” I say. “I’d rather screw anyone else. Hell, where’s the nearest convent? I’ll join. Jeannie, get a chastity belt and clasp it around his crotch to keep all the other women safe from him.”

“I’m not going near his crotch,” Jeannie says, clearly horrified at the thought.

“Enough with the jokes, Seth,” Aiden admonishes.

“I find you as attractive as the dead pigeon festering in the summer heat I saw on the sidewalk on the way over here,” he tells me. “And I like my women on the feminine side. I think you need a little waxing. That thing is thicker than mine.” He points to my upper lip. I purse my lips shut. I know he’s lying because I just waxed last week.

Jeannie tries to hide her laughter behind her hand, but I still hear her.

“I’m getting shrimp too,” I tell him. “Shut up and let’s go before I change my mind.” He takes Jasmine from Aiden and puts her back in the baby carrier. “And expensive champagne.”

“Sounds like a date,” Aiden says with a grin.

“As if this clown would have a chance with someone like me,” I say. Seth opens his mouth to utter a rebuttal, but I speak first, “Say one word, and you’re eating alone.” He promptly shuts his mouth. Yup. He’s lonely. If he would rather eat with me, someone he doesn’t like, he’s definitely lonely. A tiny, microscopic part of me feels bad for him. Lonely is one thing I’ve never been.

He gestures for me to leave the office. After saying goodbye to Jeannie and Aiden, I leave and tell Seth to follow me to my cubicle.

The office is nearly empty, but a few people see and recognize him. He waves, and people give him pads of paper for autographs. While he takes pictures and talks with some of my colleagues, I shut down my computer and grab my purse.

“You better take me somewhere nice,” I say once we get into the elevator.

“Oh, please. I bet you think Subway is somewhere nice,” he says while pressing the button for the lobby. He has a carand driver waiting outside. After sliding inside the Escalade, he orders the driver to take us home.

“Home? How cheap are you? I want to go somewhere expensive on your dime, loser, not your den of inequity. If I have to be stuck spending time with you, I want it to be worth it.”

“My what?”

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