Page 51 of Who's Saving You
“No, Nik.Youdon’t understand. I don't want to be a prisoner here. You get to come and go but I’m watched every second. Do you know how that feels? To be watched every second?”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, I kinda do.”
“You asked for this life! I didn’t. Do you need permission to go get a damn coffee?”
“This isn’t about coffee, and you know it.”
“This shouldn't be your responsibility,” she says. “Ishouldn't be your responsibility. I don’t want to be the weak link here.”
“Would you rather go back to your house and test those broken locks yourself?” I rub a hand over my jaw, already knowing what has to happen. I’ve been thinking about itsince I found out about my upcoming schedule. And now she’s going to be extra mad when I tell her. “You’re coming with me this weekend.”
She holds my stare, and I can almost see every insult she’s ready to throw at me. “What?”
“I’ve got an away game in Houston. You and Stone are coming.”
She actually laughs. “You're joking.”
“I’m not.”
“No. I’m not getting on some team plane and pretending I belong there. No way. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Oh, but you are.”
She waves her hands now, her voice rising like mine was before. “They’re not going to allow that. I know how this stuff works. Families fly on separate jets, and they stay in separate rooms. The team is locked off.”
I shake my head. “You forget I play by different rules. You won’t fly with us, but you’ll damn well stay in my hotel.”
She narrows her eyes, then looks to Stone. “Will you say something, please?”
He cracks a smile and says, “Go Warriors.”
I bark a laugh while she throws up the middle finger at both of us and stalks down the hallway, slamming her door.
I let out a breath. “Is this what having kids is like? Temper tantrums and slamming doors?”
“Pretty damn close.”
20
Noelle
“Hi, Sherrece. I know I owe you updates. I’m actually flying out to Houston with the team.”
“Really? You’ve made quite a home for yourself there, huh?”
If she only knew the home I have for myself right now. I lower my voice and glance around. The condo is dark and quiet. Nik said he was going to bed, and Stone went to check in with Dante. I’m sitting in my bedroom overlooking the city nightlights, and I lower my voice when I speak. “I’m onto something, Sherrece. This is going to be a perfect opportunity to test the theory.”
She hums into the phone. “Noelle, this is going on longer than I expected. I originally thought it would take two weeks for interviews, then another two weeks forwriting and editing. By the sound of it, we’ll be lucky if we have this piece by Christmas.”
“I was thinking about that, too. Listen, the Warriors are favored to go to the Super Bowl. What if we held the piece until the playoffs, when we know they’ve made it? It will get that much more traction with Nik’s team actually in the playoffs.”
She clicks her tongue. "That's not a bad idea. Good thinking. This is why you're my top girl. Listen, I want you to come into the office when you get back from Houston, okay? I want to talk to you about a possible opportunity opening up.”
My heart begins to beat fast. “Oh, really? What is it?”
“I’m not going to say because I’m waiting on my partner's input, but let's say it's a big step up, and you’re my first choice.”
“Thank you, Sherrece. Wow, okay, without knowing what it is, still wow! I’m excited. I think.” I start laughing, and she chuckles with me.
