Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
“Press was all over Dex’s photo.” He glances at Rolondo with a glint in his eyes. “Guess they found it the most interesting.”
Rolondo makes a lazy jerk off gesture.
But Wooster goes on. “Dex’s old college rival gave an interview, claiming that Dex is a virgin. Next thing you know, some sleazy-ass dating service got wind of the story and is offering a bounty on his virginity.”
For a second, I can only stare, my mind spinning. “What the hell?”
Seriously, what the hell?
“How did I miss this?” I ask no one in particular.
“Too busy searching for your own press?” Wooster throws out.
I glance at Rolondo. “He okay?”
“He’s fine. Like I said . . .” he gives Wooster another nasty look “. . . it’s just some dumb bullshit.”
I doubt Dex is as okay as Rolondo claims. Dex covets his privacy like a miser hoards gold. Not that I blame him; none of us exactly relishes his private life being exposed. I make a note to call Dex as soon as I’m alone.
“I heard the photographer is a woman,” Wooster says, cutting into my thoughts.
My head snaps up, my gaze narrowing as something hot surges in my gut. “What the fuck does that have to do with anything?”
Rolondo starts shaking his head. “Man,” he mutters under his breath.
Wooster, however, clearly sees blood in the water and is just that stupid. “Guess it doesn’t. Just heard that she was hot in a The Fast and the Furious kind of way.”
I take a step in his direction. Blood pounds in my head. “Fast and the Furious?”
“Yeah, you know, a lowrider hood ornament that you fuck fast and furi—”
My hand is wrapped around his throat before he can finish. I don’t remember moving, but I’m not letting go. “You want to keep that tongue,” I grit out, “I suggest you shut the fuck up.”
Wooster claws at my arm, but he can’t get free. But then he relaxes with a smile. “I get it. You’re fucking her. Nice, man. Bet she’s getting around with a job like that.”
Two steps forward, and I’m slamming him into the wall. “You need to shut the fuck up, asshole.”
Rolondo steps between us, but he’s looking at me. “He’s not worth the fines, Manny.”
Debatable. But I loosen my grip.
Wooster shakes me off and then smirks. “Can’t forget that paycheck, can we?”
Rolondo makes a noise of disdain. “Stop playin’ as if a fine won’t hurt you more than it does either of us, punk ass. And stop disrespecting women. Didn’t your momma teach you better?”
“Pretty sure you’d be singing a different tune if you had any interest in women,” Wooster drawls.
Rolondo is gay. He’s never hidden it, but until now, I haven’t heard anyone give him shit.
“What the fuck did you just say?” I lunge for Wooster again.
Rolondo blocks me, his expression almost serene as he stares down Wooster. “I’d say suck my dick, but I have standards. Now get the fuck out of here and worry about improving your weak-ass game.”
Wooster bristles, as if he’s about to reply, but his gaze cuts between us, and he backs up. “No fucking sense of humor.”
“Oh, yeah, it’s our humor that’s a fail here.” I take a page from Rolondo’s book and make a quick jerk off gesture. “We’re done.”
Without looking back, I head to the free weights. I want to leave, but I’ll be damned if I let Wooster chase me away. Rolondo joins me, as Wooster flips us off and stalks out of the room.
“Man . . .” Rolondo starts.
“I know,” I say over him. “I shouldn’t let that asshole get to me.”
“Good of you to remember. Now.”
I stare down at the weights, not moving to pick them up. “He give you shit before?”
Rolondo lets out a half laugh. “You worried about me, Manny?”
He sounds amused.
I lift my head. “You’re my teammate.”
I don’t have to say more; Rolondo gets it. But his expression remains passive. “Guys talk smack. Doesn’t matter about what. Either you take their shit or you don’t.” His gaze bores into me with unsettling depth. “I’d lock down whatever it is you have going on with the photographer. Guys will be talking about her for no other reason than she’s taking pictures of them naked.”
The truth irks. I resent that she’s seen any dick on this team but mine. I resent that the guys view it as some sort of joke they can snicker over, but there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it.
“Chess is my friend.” I gesture toward the direction Wooster left. “I don’t let people talk shit about my friends.”
Rolondo slowly grins. “I see that.”
I give a short nod.
“Just one question,” Rolondo asks.
“What?”
“Your dick know you’re just friends?” He laughs as I swipe at him, easily evading the hit. “That the best you got?”
We duck each other’s half-hearted swings for a few, both of us needing to shake off the pall Wooster threw over the room.