Page 8 of The Virgin Game Plan (Rules of Love 2)
“Because it’s your power color?”
“Yes, and she said it looked professional,” she says, handing me a pair of headphones.
I try to glance away, but hell, we’re talking about how she looks. “You do. Look professional,” I say, trying to steer this conversation that’s wiggling away from me. “And I think it’s even better that you figured out what you need and want to succeed in this field. I like that you use red. It’s like you’ve weaponized a color.”
There. That’s professional.
At least, I think it is.
As she clicks on a software program, she purses her lips together, then almost—maybe subtly, or maybe not—presses them together then releases them, like she’s blowing a kiss. “I have.”
My breath hitches. I clench my jaw and swallow a groan, like that’ll hide how much I want to taste her red lipstick, kiss her lips.
I try to focus, pulling on the headphones as she does the same. She sets up mics, then says, “Are you ready, Holden Kingsley?”
My name on her cherry-red lips sounds dangerously good, like she’s weaponizing my name. Hell, she can use it against me anytime.
The plan, man. Stick to the plan. Do the interview and only the interview.
I slap on my game face, square my shoulders, and dig in like I’m at the plate. “I’m always ready,” I say.
They feel like famous last words.
She counts down. “Three, two, one . . . Hey there, sports fans. I’m your host, Reese Fallon, with another deep-dive interview into sports, the business of it, and the personalities behind it. Today, I have a very special guest—second baseman for the Los Angeles Bandits, Holden Kingsley, who also happens to be an alum of our very own university. Thank you so much, Holden, for coming here today. I’m ecstatic to have you as a guest.”
Ignore the innuendo. All of it. Doesn’t mean anything.
“I assure you, the ecstasy goes both ways,” I say. And wow. Fuck. That was dirty, and I need to remember I’m not on a date.
“Ecstasy abounds here on my show,” she says with a smile that’s borderline naughty. Then she dives into the questions, asking about my sophomore season so far, the biggest challenges, what pitcher has the nastiest stuff, my first baseball memory, the best coach I’ve worked with, and what the sport means to me.
“Baseball means everything,” I say, speaking from the heart. “I have the chance to do the thing I love most, and I hope to take care of my family. When I was growing up in Seattle, my mom and dad rearranged their lives for me, making sure I made it to every practice, every game. They made everything possible, and I want to live up to their trust and faith in me.”
She sets a hand on her heart. “I love your honesty. I can hear it in your voice. And thank you for saying that. Some celebrities can be all about the fame and forget the people. Saying you owe it to your family—that’s what a lot of young athletes need to hear.”
“I couldn’t have done it without them, so it’s the truth and nothing but.”
“Now, final question—since you grew up in Seattle, I have to ask this. What’s your favorite coffee drink?”
That’s easy. “Cortado,” I say.
“I’m a macchiato person myself, but I’m down with a cortado.”
“Good to know,” I say.
See, we’re coffee buddies now.
I’m hardly thinking about those gorgeous lips anymore.
Well, not much.
She turns back to the mic. “You heard it here first. If you ever run into this guy at your local coffee shop, buy him a cortado.”
She clicks off the mic and pulls off her headphones. As I remove mine, I observe, “You interview like a pro. Is that what you want to do? As a career?”
I’m fascinated with Reese “I Weaponize Red” Fallon, even more so after the interview.
“No, actually, I don’t.”
I’m genuinely surprised. “You don’t? You’re a natural.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I love the podcast, and I definitely want to keep doing it. I’ve always wanted to do my own thing with sports,” she says as she slides her laptop back into her bag. “But mostly, I started it because I want to gain experience with media. I want to work in nonprofits that advocate for athletes who don’t have the same opportunities as others. Female athletes in some cases. Athletes with special needs, or with disabilities, and especially LGBTQ athletes. I have a lot of friends who play sports and are queer, and who you love should never limit your career or advancement. It shouldn’t be a thing at all,” she says, obviously passionate about the subject.
She’s smart, sexy, and has a big heart?
I might as well throw in the towel.
Plus, I agree with her. “I’m glad the major leagues are making strides in acceptance. It’s great to play alongside out athletes. And I think it's terrific that you want to make it your career," I say.
