Page 132 of Drop Three

Every corner of the space is adorned with gold and black, resembling the Strikers’ yellow and black colors. Crystal and leather accent the coolness of the space. The resort is the most luxurious I’ve ever seen, including the conference hall, which will host the gala for the night.

One glance out my window tells me the hall leading to the dance room is already packed. Staff members, sponsors, reporters, investors, players, and family gather for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

I swallow heavily. “Shit.” I’m most definitely underdressed.

Warm breath heats the side of my neck, causing goosebumps to disperse across my skin. “They’ve got nothing on you.”

I don’t move, only letting Bodhi’s kind words sink into my soul and give me the confidence I need to fight off the vultures.

“Why do I feel like I’m about to be graded for my appearance?”

Bodhi looks at me intently. “Fuck them. You’re Navy Hayes. Show them who you are.”

“Let’s do this,” Cal calls out to our group, and we all prepare to follow him into the gala entrance.

A steady hand lands on my waist as I round the limo’s rear, meeting Tenley and her date. Bodhi’s hand runs softly across my lower back, and despite the thick fabric of my dress, I feel him across every square inch of my skin.

God, I’ve missed his touch.

The touch he gave me once when he couldn’t bear to keep his hands to himself.

He’s teasing me; we haven’t even made it inside yet.

“Atlanta Boys, where you at?” Kingston chants out to the team.

“We right hereeee!” All the guys call out in loud howls as they charge the entrance, with their dates not far behind them.

Except for mine, he has yet to leave my side.

* * *

“My lady.”Kodi walks to stand next to me, handing me a whiskey sour.

I giggle. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not drinking.”

Her mouth hangs open in shock. “You’re not drinking?”

I laugh again. “Nope. Not tonight, at least.”

“What happened? You never turn down a drink you don’t have to pay for,” Kodi questions.

She’s right.Today is different.

“Bodhi’s not drinking, so I’m not drinking.”

Her eyes search the room for Bodhi, finding him less than ten feet away from us talking to Mack. “He’s holding a beer right now, Navs.”

We’ve discussed this before; she must have forgotten.

Kodi’s parents were killed in a car crash almost two years ago, and she’s handled everything with Bodhi’s past surprisingly well. Losing them taught her a lot about who people are to her.

I know she cares about Bodhi.

“He always does that, remember?” I remind her.

Kodi thinks about my words for a moment. “I do. Is it because of the accident? I know he was charged with a DUI, right?”

I nod. “Yes, but I don’t know the details. I think he does it to protect himself.”

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