Page 40 of Hung Up
Before him, I couldn’t even be talked into having sex in a parked car in an abandoned parking lot out of fear of someone potentially walking or driving by. And here I am, not only getting railed in a bar bathroom where anyone could’ve walked in, but asking for it to happen.
A knock pulls me out of my thoughts. Setting down my toothbrush on the bathroom sink, I head toward the door. Looking through the peephole, I see one of the hotel workers, so I flip the lock and pull open the door. The man gives me a large grin as he extends a bouquet of flowers in my direction. Transvaal Daisies this time. I thank him and close the door, walking over to the small table in the corner of my hotel room.There’s a card in the middle of the bouquet this time rather than a note, and I find myself biting my lip as I read the message.
I think I might be in trouble, Sweetheart. I can’t get enough of you.
That makes two of us,I think to myself. I take out my phone to snap a picture to send to Jesse when I see a text from Alicia.
Alicia
Do you have a few minutes to talk?
Rather than typing out a response, I decide to call her, climbing back into bed. I get comfortable cross-legged under the blanket, my back against the foam headboard as I mute the television. Just as it rings for the seventh time, she finally answers.
“Faith, my favorite risk taker,” she greets, and I hear the sound of what must be her office door closing on the other side. “How’s it going? Don’t regret taking this assignment yet, do you?”
I can’t help but laugh lightly. “Not yet, no. It’s going really well. I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but I actually enjoy talking to and watching these bull riders. It’s not a sport I ever thought about, but it’s intense.”
“I’ve watched a few clips that have been posted online,” she informs me. “Looks scary as shit to me.”
“It can be.” I think back to the one rider who got injured last week and is now out for the season. “They’ve lost a rider due to injury, but I guess only losing one this far into the season is amiracle. On average, they’ve usually lost three or four by now. I mean, we’re almost halfway through the season.”
Alicia hums softly. “I read your preemptive article. Really good stuff. I’d like to see a little more depth to it. Maybe get a few more riders’ input. The basis of it is brilliant though, tying it to all other sports. Clever.”
“I figured it was the best way to get people who wouldn’t even think twice about watching it to tune in.” I snuggle a little further into the blanket. “So many people don’t see it as a sport or don’t even know it really exists. But the mental game is like any other sport, with a little higher injury stakes. Our readers need to see that.”
“And thanks to you, they will.” My heart swells with pride at the happiness in her voice, but it quickly diminishes when she sighs. I can practically see her running her hand down her face. “Now for the main reason I called you. Rylie’s team is being taken elsewhere next week, and I don’t have any other teams available, which means yours will be joining you in Louisville.”
I swear my heart falls into my ass. “Oh.”
Really? That’s all you can say? Come on, Faith.
“I know there’s something going on with you and Adam, and I’ve tried to keep you two separate, but?—”
“It’s fine, Alicia.”Okay, be more convincing.“Truly. I won’t let anything get in the way of the job. I’m a professional. It’s fine, really.”
“I know I’m your boss and everything,” she starts, and I have to focus on my breathing so I don’t sound panicked or upset in the slightest, “but you can tell me if something is going on. I can reassign teams this summer.”
I shake my head as if she can see me. “I appreciate the offer, Alicia, but I’m fine.”
“Well, if you change your mind, you let me know.” I hear the faint sound of someone in the background and Alicia’s response.“Okay, I need to run. But if you have any issues or questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll be looking for that updated article.”
She hangs up before I can respond; the only sound is the soft hum of the air conditioning to keep me company. There’s nothing I can do about Adam being here next weekend except control how I react around him and just keep things purely professional—no arguing, no unnecessary conversations, no extra work. Just have him film a couple interviews and be done with it.
I can do that.
Flipping the covers off me, I’m about to head back into the bathroom to finish getting ready so I can spend the next few hours of my day sightseeing before I have to be back at the arena when I hear something hit my window. I whip around with my brows furrowed, shake my head, and turn back around when I hear it again. Slowly walking over to the window, I tighten my robe around me, a little afraid to get too close when I see a small pebble hit the window this time. Glancing out, my eyes scan the parking lot when I see Jesse. Next to his vehicle. Holding a sign.
When can I see you?
I can’t stop my laughter as I cross my arms. He stares up at me with a grin of his own, waiting for me to respond. I unlock my phone and go to our text thread to type out one word:Now. Watching him, I wait for him to get the notification. Once he does, he drops the sign, pulls his phone out of his back pocket, and glances at the screen. Without another look up at me, he sprints toward the front entrance.
A couple minutes later, there’s a knock on the door, and I have to fight the grin from growing on my face as I place onehand on the doorframe and the other on my hip. “Someone sent me flowers this morning. I think I might have a secret admirer.”
“Oh, really?” Jesse’s head tilts to the side as he fights a smile of his own. “Sounds like a really awesome guy. Only someone hot and charismatic would do something like that.”
“You’re totally right,” I say, rolling my lips as my eyes squint at my attempt to hold in my laughter. “Stetson must have sent them.”
Jesse sputters in surprise, his laugh echoing down the hallway before he puts a hand over his heart. “You wound me, Sweetheart.”
