Page 31 of Sportsball is for Lovers

eleven

. . .

Sadie

Everything hurts.My entire body aches, and for one quick second, I almost forget why I put myself through this.

But when I think about the people I met today, the readers I connected with, I know there’s absolutely nothing else I’d rather do. Telling stories is my passion. But spending time with the people who love my stories? There’s nothing better.

We have a few hours’ break to recover from the festivities before tonight’s party begins. Cramming a hundred horn-dog authors, an equal number of support staff and spouses, and a few hundred socially awkward readers into a room… then add alcohol to the mix? Yeah, it’s bound to be a good time.

Tonight’s theme is “Party Like It’s 1999” and Andie and Rosemary have gone all out. The attire is formal and I’m wearing a full ballgown—because why the fuck not—with enough strands of pearls that would make a Southern granny approve. I’ve paired the look with ice-blue eyeshadow, overly arched eyebrows, extra blush on my cheekbones, and I’ve even crimped my hair.

Let it be known: when it comes to commitment, I’m all in.

Just, well, not romantically. I’m committed to fashion. To work. To friends. To everything except men.

Yoni is wearing a blue velvet tuxedo—because of course he is. His curls are styled effortlessly so, falling into his face like a wannabe greaser.

We’re clustered around a small bar table with Lu and Kyra, the organizer’s daughter. She’s too young to drink, so it’s up to us to corrupt her in other ways. Considering she proofreads the reverse harem erotica her mother writes… not that much left for us to do.

My skin prickles, and I glance over my shoulder casually like that will make me feel better.

It does.

And it doesn’t.

Because across the room is Jared Aviyente, his eyes locked on me. He’s wearing a dark suit and tie, his thick form filling out the jacket well. His meaty shoulders are deliciously broad.

When our eyes meet, he swallows, and then his chin lifts slightly and his shoulders straighten.

As I watch, he transforms into the sharp, confident Dom I’ve met twice before. Gone is the nerdy, awkward guy who hovered at my table all day. Gone is the sweet, anxious guy who doted on his brother and took care of me in his own way.

Jared is gone. He’s now J, the Dom I met all those months ago.

And I am fucking ready for it.

Should I sleep with him? I mean, the sex was hot. Both times, I walked away happy.

On the other hand… he’s Yoni’s brother. We’re connected now in a way we weren’t before. I don’t even know the laws about sexual harassment of my employee’s family members.

Because I can’t jeopardize what Yoni and I have.

Yes, Jared—J—is hot.

Yes, I enjoyed my time with him.

But he lives here and I’m in Boston. Neither of us want anything more than a night or two. I can’t ruin what Yoni and I share for a fling. Because that’s all it would ever be.

No, I can’t pursue this. I can’t.

No matter how much I want to.

“Damn,” Lu says, turning to look at what’s caught my attention. “He cleans up good.”

Biting my lip, I have to agree.

But I can’t say that.