Page 62 of The Girlfriend Game
“Excuse me, gentleman, but I’m going to find the powder room. Marek, if you could just point me in the right direction?”
“Of course. Just head in through the open sliders, down the hall to the right, and it’s the first door on your right.”
She lightly touches my forearm and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
I watch her walk away, longing in my eyes at the soft sway of her hips, a delicious distraction from the weight of Marek’s question. But then I return to my attention to the man I not only call a friend and mentor, but also the GM, I realize his request is because he believes in me. Not because he wants to use me as an example of how not to handle yourself.
Marek, I’ve learned, is a man of integrity. He can’t be more than three years older than me, but has accomplished more than anyone else I know in the sport. After two years in the pros, he called it quits, went back to school for a degree in sports management, and was immediately snatched up to fill an assistant coach position for one of the worst teams in the league.
Through his incredible talent and know-how, it was the great comeback tale, all thanks to Marek’s genius and leadership. The fact that he’s now asking me for my help to mentor the new guys means something, and I don’t want to let him down. Which stirs up a pang of nerves in my gut.
Am I ready for something like that?
My entire focus this summer has been on improving my coping skills. Learning techniques to keep my anxiety at bay so it doesn’t come crashing in on me again. Kendall has been a huge part of my recovery, influencing my personal life in ways I never could have imagined. She’s made me happier than I’ve ever been.
“Let me think about it. Things are going really well right now.” I grin, shrugging a shoulder.
As if reading my mind, Marek shakes a finger at me, eyeing me suspiciously. “By the way, I knew you were covering something up about Kendall when we spoke. You’re a lying asshole,” he says genially.
I shrug. “I didn’t lie. It was the truth that I didn’t hook up with her while she was my therapist. If you want to blame someone, it’s Ansel’s fault for getting me on that dating app in the first place. That’s where we connected. We just didn’t know it until we eventually met up in person and our true identities were revealed.”
I take a sip of my beer, my eyes wandering out over the sparkling blue waters of Lake Washington. The view brings back memories of Kendall’s and my fishing trip months ago. Technically, it was our second date, but the first time we slept together.
And it just keeps getting better.
Being with Kendall feels like I’ve just made a clutch shot from the center court line. As everyone in the arena gasps in awe, watching it with eager anticipation as it flies through the air in a perfect arc and swishes in the net.
Marek tips his head to the side. “I didn’t picture you or Ansel as dating app guys. Isn’t that the perk of being a pro baller? The availability of women whenever you want a date?”
“Yeah, back when we were rookies like them.” I nod over to the rowdy rookies now playing a game of cornhole. “It was fun to fuck around and play the game, you know? But finding someone who wants you for something other than your money or fame, that’s a bit different. Maybe you might want to look into it. I mean when you’re ready to get out there again,” I add sheepishly.
No one knows the entire story of what happened between Marek and his ex-wife, Jasmine. They’d married when he was a rookie and then she left him several years ago. I guess that explains why he was living in the fifth wheel trailer for the past year. She took him to the cleaners and got half of his net worth.
He considers this for a moment and then shakes his head, his lips flattening tightly. “Nah, I’m good. Don’t need to go down that road ever again. But listen, getting back to the doofuses over there.” Marek gestures with the tilt of his head again to Trenton, Jaeger, and Henri. “It doesn’t have to be anything formal. I’d just appreciate you giving them a little guidance. You don’t have to become their best friend or anything. Just give them your support. Watch out for them.”
“Like a Jedi master would to his young Padawans?” I ask eagerly, referencing one of my all-time favorite movie franchises.
“Jesus Christ,” he mumbles, shaking his head mirthfully. “Forget I even asked.”
