Page 16 of Unexpected Pass

“Yes! I’ve only wanted to do this my entire life,” I replied.

My heart raced at the sight of him. He looked fine as hell in his blue Nike sweatsuit. There was just something about how the navy blue complemented his dark skin that had my mouth watering. I had to touch my lips to make sure I wasn’t drooling.

“Let’s not waste another second then, ma.”

He took hold of my hand and pulled me out of the room. As we entered the hallway, my gaze immediately fell on the security guards flanking us. There were three more than there were last night. All of them were dressed in black.

“Phileigh, this is Rich, Malcom, and Monte. They’re my security.” He introduced me. “Fellas, this is Phileigh.”

“Hi.” I waved shyly.

“Some shit pop off, protect her before me,” he told them, and my heart skipped a beat. Was he putting my life before his own? “Y’all got it?”

“Got it,” they all said in unison as we headed down the hallway to the elevators.

My hand was still wrapped in Kellon’s, and my mind was in disbelief. I was being led through the happiest place on earth with Kellon Barnes.

“I hope the security isn’t too much for you,” he said as we all stepped on to the waiting elevator.

I forwarded another phone call from my mother to voicemail. I wasn’t ready to face her, and she would flip if I told her where I was.

“It’s different.”

“I don’t usually travel this heavily, but it’s the day after the Super Bowl. Sports fans can get a little crazy.”

“I bet.” I nodded as I texted my mom, letting her know I was tired and would reach out later.

“Don’t worry, though. We’ll ditch them later,” he said as the elevator moved between floors.

I watched the numbers count down as my anxiety shot through the roof. I didn’t know what to expect today. I’d hung out with a famous athlete before, but Reggie and I were never out in the open. Most of our meet ups were at my house or a hotel. I thought it was to avoid the press, but apparently, it was to prevent his girlfriend from seeing us.

“There he is. Kellon, over here, sweety!”

The doors to the elevator slid open, and Ms. Barnes and two other women wearing blue collared shirts and company name tags appeared. Kellon smiled reassuringly as he led me out of the elevator and over to his mom. I glanced around, taking in the scenery. The lobby was empty like it was when we arrived inthe late hours of the night. I wondered if that was by design so Kellon could have some privacy.

“Good morning.” Kellon greeted them.

“Good morning!” I waved. I was unsure if I should be speaking, but I didn’t want to be rude. My mother had raised me to speak when I entered new spaces.

“Um… Good morning, Mr. Barnes. I’m… I’m Sabrina.” A short, petite, beige-skinned woman approached us, showing all thirty-two of her teeth.

“Kellon is fine. Nice to meet you, Sabrina.”

“Same, um… Kellon Barnes… I’m a huge fan. Excuse me for being nervous.”

“No problem. Would you like an autograph?”

Sabrina turned to look at the other staff member before popping open a button on her shirt and exposing the top of her boob.

“Can you sign right here?”

My mouth fell open at this woman’s boldness, but Kellon didn’t seem fazed. Someone handed him a pen, and he signed her boob like it was nothing as she stared up at him with googly eyes.

“Can you sign mine too?” the other staff member asked, pulling her shirt down as well. “I’m so glad you guys won last night. The game was so good.”

She batted her eyes in his direction as he scribbled his name. I stared at them awkwardly as they snapped a selfie. These heffas didn’t even care that I was standing here. I wasn’t Kellon’s woman or anything, but they didn’t know that.

“Ahem.” Kellon’s mom cleared her throat. “We need to get going if we’re going to stay on schedule.”

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