MILE HIGH

70

“We were together for three years, and not once did I feel like I was good enough for him. He constantly ended things with me if he had other options he wanted to pursue, then when he was out of said options, he would come crawling back. And I was the i***t who always took him back. I just wanted to be chosen.”

I hate him. Partly for how he made Stevie feel, and partly because he once had what I want so badly and treated her as if she didn’t matter. As if she wasn’t his first option.

She nervously twirls the ring on her thumb before I place my hand over hers, stopping it. The motion causes her to finally look up at me.

“You’re not an i***t. You’re not crazy for wanting to be wanted. For wanting to be loved.”

A deep swallow bobs in her throat.

“And you’re not an option, Stevie, because besides you, there’s no other choice.”

Her entire face relaxes, melting in front of me. “Don’t say that.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m trying not to like you.”

Her honesty makes me laugh. She’s used the phrase “I hate you” all too often since I met her.

“Well, good luck, sweetheart, because I’m a f*****g gem.”

In my peripheral, Rich motions me over for another f*****g interview.

Rolling my eyes, I place my attention back on Stevie. “I have to get back to work, but don’t forget you still owe me a dance.” I give her hand one last sly squeeze before leaving her at the bar.

“Who is that?” Rich’s focus is lasered on Stevie’s back.

“Don’t worry about it.” I continue walking past my agent in hopes of pulling his attention away from my favorite flight attendant.

He doesn’t need to know about her. Not tonight and maybe not ever.

To say I’m annoyed that Rich hasn’t let me enjoy my night is an understatement. He’s pimped me out for interview after interview, and I just want to get one f*****g dance in. One dance with one girl to end my night.

But before I can make that happen, a certain point guard of a particular basketball team stops me.

“We need to have a conversation,” Ryan says, blocking the path to his sister with a hand on my chest.

He’s only an inch or so shorter than me, so I barely have to look down at him with smirking lips. “Do we now?”

“Don’t be a dick.”

Reluctantly, I follow him to an empty high-top table hidden in the corner. “I’m kind of known for being a d**k, in case you haven’t heard.”

“Oh, I’ve heard. And that’s what we need to talk about.”

“All right, let’s go. Give me the big brother speech.” I lean down on my elbows, allowing him to be taller than me.

And even though this is annoying, I respect it. How could I not? The guy is just looking out for Stevie.

“What are you doing with my sister?”

My lips lift, trying to hold back my laughter. “You sure you want those details?”

Ryan is fuming at the moment, nostrils flaring, so I drop it down a few notches.

“I’m not messing with her if that’s what you think.”

“That’s exactly what I think.”

“Well, that’s not the case. I’m not using her for some agenda. In fact, I’m doing the exact opposite. I’m trying to keep whatever the hell it is under wraps. I know the kind of s**t that gets put on the internet about me, and I’m not going to let your sister get wrapped up in that.”

“What is it? Between you two, what’s going on?”

“Truthfully? Nothing. We’re friends, but I’m not going to lie to you. I like her. A lot. And if she’d give me a shot, I’d really like to see where it could go.”

Ryan’s brows are creased in confusion, not believing me.

“And I’m not going to ask your permission or some s**t like that if that’s what you want.”

“I don’t want Vee wrapped up in your reputation, Zanders. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, I think your whole persona in the media is a f*****g joke, and you give a bad name to athletes in this city.”

“You said you weren’t going to sugarcoat it,” I whine with sarcasm.

Rolling his eyes, he continues. “My sister cannot handle the type of attention you get, and I don’t want her name in the tabloids next to yours, do you understand?”

Nodding, I remain silent, allowing him to continue.

“I finally get to have her in my city, and I swear to God if you screw that up...” He shakes his head. “She’s an adult who can make her own choices, but I really don’t f*****g like this one.”

Just then, I watch as Stevie’s ex-boyfriend leads her out on the dance floor. She doesn’t seem like she’s too eager to get away, but at the same time, she doesn’t seem entirely stoked to be out there with him either. The usual confident fire that girl wears around me is missing from her face.

“That right there…” I nod towards the dance floor, referring to Stevie and her ex. “You bringing that guy around your sister again? That’s a choice I don’t f*****g like.”

“Brett? You don’t even know him.”

“Do you? Because from what your sister has told me about their relationship, I don’t think you know him as well as you assume.”

Ryan keeps his eyes on the dance floor. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’m going to let your sister decide what she wants you to know.”

That’s probably more than I should’ve said, but maybe that will give him a bit more pause about bringing that prick around Stevie again.

“Ryan.” He turns my way. “You seem like a good guy, and you clearly love your sister. I want you to know that I respect your concerns, and knowing the reputation I’ve earned, I understand why you’re worried about her.”

His expression softens, dropping the tough-guy act a notch by offering me a half-smile.