Page 28 of For the Boys
“I really am sorry this was the only time that worked for both of us,” she said.
“Nah, it’s all good. All we have to do is model some clothes and pretend to lift weights. Should be quick and painless, right?”
Anna laughed. “I’ve never done a shoot for an athletic brand, so I hope you’re right.”
“These guys are awesome to work with,” Brent said. “Super laid back. And we’ve already figured everything out, so just follow my lead. We’ll be out of here in no time.”
“Are you in a hurry, Brent?”
Brent shrugged. “I have a few things to do before I head to the arena.”
Anna rolled her eyes. “Hockey players.”
The shoot was as quick and painless as Brent had hoped. Anna was a complete professional, taking direction flawlessly, comfortably working side by side with Brent as if they had done the same thing a thousand times before.
“Maybe we could get a drink sometime,” Anna said as they walked out of the gym into the mid-October sunshine. Leaves rained down from the maple tree on the corner, and one stuck to Anna’s hair at the crown of her head. Brent reached up and picked it off.
“Sure,” he said, hitting the button on his truck door to unlock it when they arrived at the small parking lot at the side of the building. “As friends.”
Anna snorted. “I wasn’t aware you did the friends thing, Jean.”
Brent cringed at her use of his last name. “I have friends.”
“Yeah, your teammates. Maybe a couple guys from college.” She popped the trunk on her little black Audi and dropped her bag inside. “Definitely no females.”
“So maybe I’m turning over a new leaf,” he said, setting his own bag on his passenger seat. “What makes you think you know me anyway?”
“You’ve been the resident playboy in Detroit since you joined the Warriors. I may not have been around during your heyday, but your reputation precedes you.”
“Ouch,” Brent said, slapping a hand to his chest. “I’m wounded.”
“Just stating facts.” Anna slammed her trunk shut. “C’mon. Let’s go out for a drink, have a little fun, see what happens.”
“Normally, I would say yes. You’re gorgeous and fun to be around, from what I can tell. But I’m actually seeing someone.”
Anna quirked an eyebrow. “Really? Detroit’s most eligible bachelor is off the market? I find that hard to believe.”
“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t sleep around anymore. And if you must know, it’s very new. But I’m hoping it’s heading in that direction.”
Berkley’s face sprang to mind, and Brent’s lips tipped up. Anna didn’t need to know he hadn’t officially met the woman he claimed to be dating.
“If you change your mind, you know where to find me.” She gave him a wink over the top of her Audi, got in, and sped off.
Once again, a sure thing had been presented to him on a silver platter. Only this time, Brent had the willpower to turn it down. Sure, a few drinks and some casual sex with Anna would probably be fun. But he wasn’t going to do anything to fuck up his chances with Berkley, not again, and definitely not with someone like Anna, who only wanted him because he was Brent Jean. She didn’t care about him, not in the way he wanted and needed a woman to. The waitress in Nashville had been the last time he would do something so reckless. He was all in on Berkley, and he would find a way to prove it to her.
When Brent pulled up to the arena that evening, a phone call came through the Bluetooth in his truck. The readout showed his sister’s name.
“Kenz,” Brent said in warning when he answered. “You know you’re not supposed to call me right before a game.”
“Yes, I know, big brother,” she said. “I just haven’t had a chance to talk to you all day, and I wanted to tell you how excited I am to see you tonight!”
Brent laughed. “I’m excited to see you too, kid. But you really didn’t need to call to tell me that. I’ll see you in”—Brent looked down at his watch—“less than four hours. You know, after the game.”
Mackenzie sighed, and Brent could almost hear the eye roll from his youngest sibling. “I know, but Nate is driving me crazy, so I needed a few minutes alone. Calling and bugging you seemed like a good idea,” she said cheerfully. “Plus I want to know all about how the shoot went today!”
“Nate always drives you crazy,” Brent said. He reached the player’s entrance to the arena and nodded at the security guard, who held the door open for him. “That’s what big brothers do. And the shoot went well. I’ll give you all the details when I see you later.”
“You don’t drive me crazy.” Mackenzie paused. “Much.”
