Distracted (8 page)

Bryson

Kennedy had been floating between the dressing room and set all afternoon and though it should’ve made me happy to see her happy, it didn’t because I knew I had nothing to do with it. In fact, she was beyond pissed the last time she left my house, so her newfound excitement about life had to be a result of wack ass Landon. She didn’t talk about their relationship much other than surface-level shit like how much she loved him, but I was interested to see exactly what type of dude who he was.

I smiled through the last set of fifty frames before the shoot was finally called to a close. Then I headed to the dressing room where I figured Kennedy was hiding out for a break. I opened the door and found her leaning on the arm of the couch fast asleep. She looked radiant, her makeup and hair for the day still completely intact, as she let out short puffs of breath. I felt like I could watch her do this all day, but I didn’t wanna creep her out in the event that she actually woke up. So instead, I sat down next to her, pushing her hair over her shoulder before tapping her awake.

Her eyes flashed open for a second, but quickly closed again as she readjusted in her seat on the couch.

“Kennedy. Kennedy, wake up.”

“Five more minutes,” she pleaded. I wanted to give her all the time in the world, but I knew she didn’t really mean it so I tapped her shoulder once more.

“Kennedy, you can sleep in the car. We gotta go. I have a flight to catch.” The mention of a flight woke her right up.

“Oh my God! I can’t believe I… how long was I…” She rushed over to the mirror, checking her face and rearranging her hair.

I stood up, finding a spot right behind her in the mirror as I told her, “Relax, Kennedy. We’re all done with the shoot and you were only out for ten minutes tops.”

Her hands fell to the countertop as she put her head down trying to pull herself together. Then she turned around, facing me with the most embarrassed expression. “I’m so sorry. I just… didn’t get much sleep last night.”

The smirk came on its own as I reminded her, “We figured that out earlier, remember?”

She rolled her eyes as she made her way past me, snatching her purse off the couch before she headed out of the door.

Something about her was different.

She was edgier, feistier, even more intriguing.

I was in big trouble.

&

“Shit, Bryson! Right there!”

I drove into Nicole as hard as I could, desperate for a release. After spending time with Kennedy -
touching Kennedy
-, I knew the only way I could fight the urge to have her was to take it out on somebody else. This time, it just so happened to be a lucky groupie after my away game. I didn’t indulge in groupies
that
often, but something about the butter-pecan chick in the hella tight dress got me to change my mind for the night.

Nicole had already gotten hers twice so I figured it was fair for me to get my own. I went a little harder, hitting all the right spots and causing her to let out porno-worthy screams even though I was doing it for my own selfish reasons. The selfish reasons that had me grunting before I released every ounce of build-up into the condom. 

Nicole blushed as she rolled over to her back, pulling the cover up and over her naked body. She was biting her bottom lip, holding back a major grin like she was embarrassed by something.

And just when I was getting ready to ask her about it, she said, “I’ve never done this before.”

I panicked, hoping I hadn’t done something crazy like taken the poor girl’s virginity.

“You’ve never done what?” I asked cautiously.

“Had sex on the first night.”

Whew.

Though even that surprised me considering it didn’t take much for me to convince her to do so. But she actually seemed like a nice girl, one that I wouldn’t have a problem doubling back on later if I was ever in her city again.

I hopped out of bed to go clean myself up in the bathroom as I yelled behind me, “Well I hope I made it worth your while.”

Her answer was low, but I still heard her clearly as she replied, “That and more, Bryson. That and more.”

Kennedy

I felt pitiful as I sat in my apartment alone watching Bryson’s postgame interview on what had to be its third loop on SportsCenter. Landon was at the club again so it was just me, my carton of Talenti, and my bottle of wine until either he made it back or I fell asleep, though I didn’t see sleep coming anytime soon.

No matter how hard of a front I was able to put up in Bryson’s presence, that didn’t stop my real feelings from surfacing when I was alone. Like now, when I wanted nothing more than to be wrapped in a pair of strong arms as I dozed off to a movie while snuggled up on the couch.

Landon’s arms are pretty strong, Kennedy.

But my eyes were locked on the TV as I stared at Bryson’s arms that were squeezing against the sleeves of his blazer, the blazer that I had picked out for him. In fact, Bryson looked good in just about everything I dressed him in which made my job slightly easier.

Landon dresses well too, Kennedy.

I continued watching the interview and comparing the two though I knew there was really no comparison. While Bryson was all hot, and sexy, and thrill, Landon was sweet. Landon was comfortable. Landon was home.

There wasn’t a decision for me to make.

It was already made the second I said, “Yes”.

I turned the TV off, pouring the last of the wine into my glass before taking it and the couple bites of Talenti I had left with me to the bedroom. I almost left my phone until it began buzzing against the coffee table. I doubled back, taking a peek at the screen and immediately rolling my eyes at the message.

My flight gets in at 9. I’ll need you to come by around 10 to fit me for the game. -B$

I thought about ignoring it, pretending like I had already fallen asleep when it came, but I had to remind myself that he was my boss.

Kennedy: I’ll be there.

Miss you, Kenn. Can’t wait to see you in the morning. ;) -B$

I chugged my wine, not even saving a sip to savor. I mean, what was I supposed to say to that?

How could I logically reply to something so simple yet so…
ugh
.

Bryson knew exactly what he was doing, knew exactly how to get under my skin, and had to know I’d be vulnerable on a night like tonight when I was just slightly past the point of tipsy. I typed and deleted a bunch of stupid responses before I came up with one that I could live with in the morning.

Kennedy: See you then, boss.

&

“You and your man should come to the game tonight.”

Bryson spoke of the idea so casually as if it was even possible that I’d subject myself to such torture. It was already plenty for me to be looking at his forever shirtless frame as he packed his duffle bag. The last thing I needed to be doing was seeing him all sweaty in live action.

“We can’t. We already have plans,” I lied as I diverted my eyes elsewhere.

He stopped, peeking up at me with a smile as he said, “No plans are bigger than courtside seats.”
Courtside?
“Matter of fact, why don’t you call your man right now and tell him the news.” I thought it over, knowing Landon would probably kill me for turning down the tickets. But I had to stay strong.

“Our plans are pretty important.”

Non-existently important.

He eyed me again before he walked over to where I was standing and snatched my phone from my hand. I didn’t budge, knowing he wouldn’t be able to access anything without
…
“What’s your passcode?”

I crossed my arms over my chest as I protested, “I’m not telling you.”

He stepped closer, his bare, tattooed chest only a few inches from mine as he asked, “Kennedy, do you want me to tickle it out of you? Kiss it out of you? Lick it out of…”

I put my hand up to stop him, “Fine! It’s 0315.”

He laughed in victory, typing it in and surely scrolling to my call log. “What is that anyway? The day ol’ boy proposed to you?”

It was a shame that I didn’t even remember
that
exact date, but I quickly answered him. “No. It’s my birthday.”

He stopped scrolling the second he realized what I had said. “Wait a minute. 0315. March 15th. That’s today! Kennedy, it’s your birthday and you didn’t tell anybody?”

I brushed him off, knowing it wasn’t as big of a deal as he was making it. “Who tells people it’s their birthday? Like… you really thought I was just gonna come in here and announce something like that? That’d be weird.”

He still didn’t look satisfied as he asked, “How old are you?”

“Twenty…
five
.” I cringed saying it out loud. Surely I was engaged, had a great job with benefits, a decent place to lay my head at night, and a savings account; but I hardly felt like I had my shit together enough to already be hitting this particular milestone.

To make matters even worse, Bryson replied, “I thought you were older than that.”

I couldn’t help but to be offended. “What?! Why?”

He only shrugged, going back to his packing as he said, “I don’t know. You’re just so… mature. Responsible. Uptight.”

My attitude remained. “
Uptight
? I am
not
uptight.”

He disappeared into the closet, grabbing a pair of tennis shoes, before he spoke again. “Kennedy, let’s be real here. You’re not exactly a thrill seeker. You play it safe. You calculate your moves. You’re thorough. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just not very… twenty-fiveish.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling the need to defend my morals. “It is when you’re not making millions. Not all of us can throw our lives away at the expense of fast cars and faster women.”

Now he was the offended one, biting the inside of his cheek before he piped out, “That’s what you think I do?”

I challenged him, “That’s what I know you do.”

He took a few steps closer to me as he asked, “What about my charities? Annual events in the community? Community service partnerships?”

I brushed off the name dropping. “For every
one
of those, there’s probably
three
whores you’ve left in each city you’ve visited. I know your type, Bryson. I’m no fool.”

He knew I was right, but I was surprised when he responded, “Kennedy, I’m young. I’m single. Of course I indulge. But what’s your excuse?”

“
My excuse
? My excuse for what?”

He covered the little space left between us, getting right in my face to ask, “Your excuse for being twenty-five, and responsible, but still wanting to risk it all for a chance with
irresponsible
,
reckless ass
me?”

I refused to back down. “What are you talking about, Bryson?”

His hands were around my waist before I could move away. “Kennedy, I’m being real with you. So keep that in mind when I tell you we might as well get this over with so we can resume our normal lives.”

I still didn’t move. “Get what over with?”

“This… exploration.
Sexually
. Me and you. And don’t say you’re not curious cause it’s been written all over your face for awhile now.”

Now I had to pull away.

“My God. You can’t possibly be this full of yourself all the time.”

He smirked, finding my wrist to pull me back but not completely as he said, “Not all the time. Just long enough to get the attention of pretty women like yourself.”

Since he liked to get in my face to prove his point, I stood on my tippy-toes to do the same. “I don’t wanna have sex with you, Bryson. So just let it go, alright?”

Somehow his hands ended up back on my waist like he just owned the damn place.

His voice was low and gentle as he teased, “You don’t, huh? You sure about that?”

My feet fell flat as I answered, “
I’m
… I’m positive.”

Don’t you start fumbling over your words now, Kennedy!

He eyed me, licking his lips in a way he just knew would send my lower half into a frenzy. “Well why are you breathing all funny, huh? Can’t stand for me to be this close? Can’t stand for me to… tease you?”

I tipped my head back to meet his eyes. “Bryson, I don’t want you.”

His face quickly hovered over mine, our lips so close that if I were to get on my tippy-toes again we’d definitely be kissing. “You’re lying. You already told me you wanted me. And I want you too. So let me have you, Kennedy. Let me…” My phone began to ring in Bryson’s pocket, cutting him off. He didn’t step away, just pulled it out and pressed the green button to answer it before putting it to my ear so that I could catch it against my shoulder.

“Hey birthday girl. What are you up to?”

I was just getting ready to answer Landon’s question when Bryson dropped to his knees in front of me, sliding the edge of my dress up against my tights. “I’m at… I’m at work, babe. What’s up?” I tried to shoo Bryson away, but he locked both of my hands with one of his as he continued to push my dress up with the other.

“Nothing much, just making sure you’re having a good day. We gonna do dinner tonight? Maybe a movie? I mean, it’s totally up to you since it’s your day and all.”

I was trying to pay attention, but Bryson stuck his face right in the crotch of my leggings causing me to yelp, “Yes! I mean…
actually
, Bryson gave me… gave
us
courtside tickets to the game. For my birthday.” I looked down at Bryson with wide eyes and he only smirked as he tugged on my leggings that I knew he wouldn’t be able to pull off with one hand.

“What?! You’re kidding me! That’s dope, Kennedy! So what time should I meet you at home?”

I felt a rush of cold air against my thighs, looking back down to find that Bryson had indeed figured it out.

How the hell did he…?

“Six! I mean… how’s 6 o’ clock sound?”

God, please forgive me.

“I should be able to make it by then. Well I’m excited. Make sure you’re extra nice to Bryson today for that sweet gift,” he said with a laugh that just about made me explode. Well it was either that or the fact that Bryson’s lips were grazing my inner thigh.

“I… I will. See you at 6.” I waited until I heard him end the call since I couldn’t do it myself. Then I dropped the phone so that it would land right on Bryson’s head.

He let my hands go as he yelled, “Ouch! What the fuck, Kenn?!”

I stepped away, pulling my leggings up as quickly as I could before sliding my dress back down. “What the fuck
you
, Bryson?! I was on the phone with my damn fiancé and you were getting ready to…” I couldn’t even say it out loud.

“Well Kennedy. I’m afraid to break it to you, but uhh… I’m not the only bad guy here.” Then he stood up, heading back to his closet as he casually tossed out, “The tickets will be at will call.”