Page 118 of Home Town Advantage
Kennedy sucks in an excited breath. “Ooh. Like possessiveness? I lowkey love a possessive man. Not irrationally possessive, butshe’s mine, don’t fucking touch heris a sexy vibe for me.”
Palmer nods. “And bossy. I think I’m into bossy, authoritative men.”
I narrow my eyes at Palmer. “Where did that come from?”
She fidgets nervously and looks down. “Nowhere. It just…sounds hot. Someone telling you what they want and when they want it. I think I’d be into that.”
“Is that what you meant?” Shay asks me.
I shake my head. “Not exactly. No one likes a liar, but what if they think they had a good reason for lying to you?”
“Like what?” Layla asks.
Before I can answer, the production assistant opens the door. “It’s time, ladies.”
Ten minutes later, we’re seated on a couch being interviewed by a famous late-night host in front of a live studio audience.
He looks at me. “Sulley, you were a little cold in the first half of that final game but then came out on fire in the second half and carried your team to victory. What changed for you at halftime?”
I give him a small smile. “I didn’t carry my team anywhere. Everyone contributed to our victory in that final game. Going hot and cold is part of the sport. That’s why it’s not a one-person sport, and that’s what makes these ladies such great teammates. When one of us is down, another picks up the slack. I had a terrible first half, but these amazing women kept us in the game. Look at Kennedy and Palmer’s rebound numbers. How often do two players on the same team get that many rebounds? Ifanything,thatkept us in the game.Thatcarried us to victory. And how about Kennedy’s dunk to seal the deal?”
He turns to Kennedy. “Is it true it was your first dunk ever? Even in practices?”
She smiles broadly. “It was. I’ve been working on it. I appreciate that our coaches had enough confidence in me to call my number in the big moment, and that Sulley saw it through. She made a great pass and gave me the best opportunity for success.”
I nod. “I never had a doubt. No one works harder than Kennedy Jeffries.”
He gives us a knowing look. “It must be in the genes. Your father has always been known as a hard worker. Judging by all the love he gets on social media, he looks like he’s still working hard…on those biceps.” He looks at the crowd with a giant smile plastered on his face. “Am I right, ladies?”
The audience laughs, and some women scream in delight. Kennedy doesn’t flinch, though I see her lip twitch a bit. Before she says something she’ll regret, I interrupt, “I think Kennedy stands on her own, out of her father’s shadow.” I turn to the audience. “Don’t you all agree that this amazing athlete should be celebrated for her accomplishments, not her father’s?”
Everyone starts cheering and clapping. Crisis averted.
I think the host gets the clue that she doesn’t want to talk about her father and doesn’t push any further.
He turns his attention to Layla. “You’re married to Presley Ladrón, right?”
Layla winks. “For now. As long as he’s a good boy.”
He chuckles. “I’ve seen a few members of the Camels at your games. Any other love connections between the Camels and the Beavers?”
Layla shakes her head and lies. “Nope. Just me.”
I sigh, hating that she had to lie. I hope Vance didn’t see that. He’ll be so hurt.
The host eyes us all skeptically while we remain tight-lipped. What is he getting at?
He continues, “They always show the guys engaging in beer drinking contests at your games. How about you ladies show them how it’s done?”
The audience starts clapping again while a big cart full of beer cans is brought out. We then have a beer drinking contest. Palmer wipes the floor with all of us, but we have a blast along the way.
A few hours later,I’m almost home. Keith has dropped everyone but Kennedy and me at their respective homes. As soon as the last person exits the car, Kennedy asks, “What was with the lying question? Was that about Vance?”
She doesn’t know anything about Montana, not even that I went. I was gone for less than twenty-four hours, but Kennedy knows everything else. I’ve confided in her and see no reason to stop now. She’s become a sounding board for me. It’s nice to have a girlfriend to talk to about this stuff. It used to be my mother, but she’s a little jaded when it comes to Vance. I’m very clear on where she stands. My other close friends on the team know something is going on with us, but I’ve shared very few details with anyone but Kennedy.
I exhale a long breath. “I found out that Vance never slept with my brother’s girlfriend. It was all a lie.”
Her jaw drops. “What? What about his daughter?”
