Page 85 of Fumbled Love

“So, you know why I’m here?”

She arched a thin white eyebrow, looking at me like I was stupid. “Of course, I know why you’re here. I’m no idiot, boy. The second that shrew announced your retirement, I knew it was only a matter of time.”

I slid into the spot next to her. “Any chance you’re going to go easy on me? Maybe offer me a beer?”

“What do you think?” she asked, lifting the can of Pabst Blue Ribbon to her lips and taking a long sip.

I cleared my throat and looked at my watch. “I’m running low on time, so what’s it going to take?”

When the smirk stretched across her face, I knew it would be something big.

She patted my leg and looked over her shoulder. “Before my daughter gets wind of this and shows her face, why don’t you and I have a private little chat? I have a case of beer out back.”

CHAPTER30

KINLEY

When I walkedout of my office building, the sidewalk was swarming with paparazzi. They screamed and shouted questions as I moved toward the waiting car near the curb. The lack of privacy and interest in my personal life was something I’d never get used to, and I was pretty sure I would never warm up to it. But this was a part of Maverick’s life, so I would have to learn to deal with it.

Ray, my bodyguard, rushed over and ushered me inside the waiting vehicle. I could see the flashes from their cameras going off as we pulled away.

Having a guard assigned to me full-time took some getting used to, but Ray was good at his job, and I felt safe knowing he was nearby if I needed him.

“Why are there so many of them? Did something happen?” I grabbed my phone and was about to click on the internet when Ray spoke up.

“Just ignore them. There is nothing new. I’ll put some music on to help you relax. You don’t need the stress.”

I eyed him skeptically and debated clicking on the news when my phone buzzed in my hand.

Baby Daddy:Are you on your way home?

Me:Yes, are you there waiting for me?

Baby Daddy:Just got in. I was delayed getting out of Atlanta.

Me:Damn. I was hoping you would have had my apartment packed up by now.

Baby Daddy:I told you, that’s what I pay people for.

Me:Just because the season is over, that doesn’t give you an excuse to start slacking off. You’re not getting any younger. You can’t let those hard muscles get soft.

I smiled while waiting for his response.

Baby Daddy:There is nothing soft about me, and I’ll prove it to you in a few minutes.

Me:Promise? Because I’m wearing the underwear you gave me for Christmas. The ones with your name on them.

I watched as the dots jumped across the screen, and they stopped and started again. He took a while to type his message, so I laughed when I saw what he wrote.

Baby Daddy: You won’t be wearing them much longer. Now put your phone down and relax. I need to do a few pull-ups before you get here.

The streets of Manhattan passed by in a blur. I was so lost in thought that I wasn’t even paying attention to where we were going. I assumed we were headed straight back to my apartment. Instead, we were headed uptown. I leaned forward, “Um…Ray, where are we going?”

“You’ll find out in just a few minutes.” I could see his smirk in the rearview mirror, which only confused me more. Ray was never playful. He was serious and professional. Never once had I seen him crack a smile.

The sky was turning dark, and snowflakes were falling gently along the windows. We pulled to a stop outside The Plaza Hotel.

Ray rolled down the window, and I looked around, confused, until I saw him. My breath caught in my chest as he strolled toward the town car.

---