Page 2 of Curveball
I snort. “Dude, I just saw you, like, an hour ago. I’m good.” I point my chin toward Judd Samson, one of the rookies still taking in the sights from the open doorway. “Samson looks like he could use a hug.”
Tripp laughs and gives my shoulder a slight shove. I don’t budge.
The other rookie, Griffin Barrett—nicknamed Baby Bear by the team because he stands an oh-so-impressive five-foot-eight—tips his head to the side and takes the lead. They both step intothe fray, purchase their play money from the cashier station set up nearby, and head directly for Texas Hold ’Em.
Tripp and I follow along like a pair of fucking nannies, then veer off like the grown adult men we are, stopping every other step to shake hands with some banker or CEO looking to improve their street cred. They crave face time with a celebrity, and it’s unavoidable—even necessary—in this environment. When big money for the kids is on the line, you do what you gotta do.
“Who the fuck chose this dump?” I ask Tripp drolly in a low voice.
I’m messing with him and he knows it. Even I can see that whoever decorated this event space had good taste—and a shitload of money to back up the plan.
“Fuck you. The place is dope.”
I give him the side-eye. “How come you’re allowed to use that word? According to Natalie, I’m too old.”
“Dude, youaretoo old.”
I sneer at him. I could remind him that he’s closing in fast, but I’ll let him have his night.
“How’d she get roped into photographing this gig?” I tip my chin toward the throng around the craps table—and the chick he’s got a secret hard-on for. “She looks good tonight.”
Cheyenne Meyer is a live content creator for the team, mostly catching us as we enter the tunnel to the locker room with quick, fun interviews for the team socials.
Tripp follows my line of sight until he sees Cheyenne skirting the crowd in a sparkly black dress, her big-ass camera strapped around her neck. He grins.
“She always looks good.”
“That’s a hell of a dress.”
“Doesn’t need the dress, but?—”
Bear and Samson sidle up in time to hear that last remark, and both of them hold back laughter with their fists.Fucking newbies.
Tripp gestures toward the rookies.
“Grab a table, yo. Meet you there in a sec.”
When they’re gone, Tripp moves closer, out of earshot of anyone else, at least for the moment.
“So, you’re a little off tonight. Distracted maybe. My girl Natalie okay?”
I turn to face him, startled, then turn away. Because yeah, maybe I do still have images of blonde curls and blue fuck me heels dancing around in my mind, andthat shit needs to evaporate.
“Yeah, sure. She’s good.” I lift a shoulder nonchalantly, then give him my full attention. “Why? You know something I don’t?”
He chuckles with a short shake of his head, then glances at his phone when a beeping notification interrupts our conversation.
“Dude, I gotta see to a thing but I’ll be back. You okay here?”
I slap his shoulder. “Yeah, man, good. And the place looks great. Really.”
“Fuckin’ A,” Tripp says, then he takes off toward the silent auction table.
I head for a bar before finding a spot at a craps table. I play long enough to ensure a sizeable donation, then set my sights on Samson and Bear.
No way they went straight for a table as Tripp requested. These two are more like Mario and Luigi, bounding all around the room and not lighting for long. I spot them halfway across the room, actually moving toward an empty high-top table. Tripp is back already, following along behind them at a casual pace, and I lengthen my stride to take up the rear of our procession.
But then it happens—I notice the gorgeous woman I helped out of her car. She’s with another woman, the same friend she arrived with, standing at a high table a short ways away, those loose curls floating around her shoulders that sparkle with metallic sequins. My thoughts hit a tripwire. My feet continue to shuffle but my brain hasn’t moved on. As we approach, I peer around Tripp to get another look. Her long blonde hair caught my attention, but her dark hooded eyes are deep and soulful and captivating, and . . . and she’s watching me. I’m staring directly at her and she notices. Her grin stretches across her face. I freeze.
