Dolce (Love at Center Court #2) (7 page)

Toots shook his head. “You’re the one who’s dumb enough to be friends with him. You know he always pushes the limits. He’s a cock-blocking shock jock.”

“Cock-blocking shock jock. Try saying that three times fast!” My laughter ripped through the empty stadium, echoing off the bleachers. “Think he can he put that on his résumé?”

Toots laughed with me, his large frame shaking.

I slapped him on the back and said, “I’m outta here. Catch you soon.”

Toots headed in the other direction to start his run as I jogged out the side entrance and down the hill to the field house. Coach would tear me a new one if I was late to work out.

I left the field house a couple of hours later, my hair still damp from the shower, dripping a little on my Hafton sweatshirt. My phone buzzed, and I slid my hand into my back pocket to pull out my phone, curious as to who the hell was bothering me.

“Hi, Mom,” I said. “How you doing?”

“I’m good, baby. How are you?” A rustling came over the line, and her voice muffled a little as if she was speaking away from the phone. “Slow down, Rocky!”

“What are you doing, Mom?”

“I’m walking the dogs, and Rocky is chasing after some pretty piece of Rottweiler. Rocky!” My mom kept shouting the dog’s name, and I was forced to hold the phone away from my ear.

“Mom? You should call me later and free up your hands.”

“Nah, don’t be silly. I got one of those earpiece thingies, and I’m hands-free. I just turned to walk in the other direction, and Rocky’s not distracted anymore. The little guys are easy, doing their thing, so I’m all yours.”

My mom was a bit of a kook. Dad walked out on us years ago, and since then she’d spent her time writing romance novels and adopting dogs. She was definitely not your typical stay-at-home mom with milk and cookies on the table, but I loved her.

She’d put her life on hold when she found she was pregnant with me, married my dad, who she never really loved, and tried to make a life in a trailer park. When that failed, she picked up the pieces and raised me as a single mom, making ends meet with her writing and a full-time job in a coffee joint.

“You doing okay, Mom?”

“I’m good. I took in this cat until he gets adopted. He’s a diabetic so it’s tricky, but the Yorkies like him, and Rocky is managing. Oh! I forgot to tell you, my last book went to the top of Amazon’s charts. Not bad for a high school graduate.”

“That’s great, Mom. But do you really need a diabetic cat? Don’t you think you have enough on your plate?”

“It’s one little kitty. The animal league gives me his medicine, so hush up, Blane. Are you ready for your season?”

“Yeah. I’m ready.”

“I’m proud of you, son. You didn’t have to stay in school, could’ve left for the major leagues early, but you’re sticking it out.”

“Mom, it’s the NBA, and I’m going pro after this season. I’ll be good and employable when my professional career ends. I’m a few credits shy of graduating, and I’m wrapping them all up.”

“Blane, honey, I don’t care if you drive trucks like your asshole father. I just want to know you’re happy. I don’t like your future being unknown. Gigi says those agents really take advantage of some guys, so you need to get someone good when you’re ready. I want to make sure your father isn’t advising you, honey.” Her breathing puffed into the phone, and I could hear the dogs yapping in the background.

“Don’t start with Dad. He did the best he could too. And what the heck does Gigi know? She’s a waitress.”

I wasn’t just saying that; my dad did do the best he could. Yes, he was a commercial trucker and spent most of his nights in the cab of his rig after fucking some cheap broad, but he loved me.

“I know; I’m not getting into it about your dad. And Gigi is a waitress down by U of Jacksonville, so she hears things. By the way, is your dad coming up to see you play?”

The way we were bouncing from subject to subject, family member to family member, was giving me a headache. I would rather have gone back to discussing the diabetic cat.

“Yeah, he took some routes up this way so he could stop and see a few home games. And you know he’ll be at the Xavier game, up here before the holidays? The same one you’ll be at, so keep the peace.”

Those two could go at it when given the chance. Unfortunately, it usually ended up in post-divorce make-up sex and another round of bickering, so I tried to keep them separate when I could.

“I know. I wouldn’t miss it . . . seeing my boy play on the hardwood. Never, sweetie. Hey, Rocky!”

“Listen, Mom, go walk the dogs. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“All right, sweetie. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

By the time I ended the call, I was at the bottom of the hill on College Avenue, heading toward Mean Beans. Out of nowhere, I wanted a coffee—except I wasn’t a coffee drinker.

The bells chimed over the door as I stepped into the lavender-hued java mecca.

“Dude!” Ashton yelled from the corner.

Christ, I didn’t need to deal with him again.

“Look at us! A bunch of real coffee drinkers,” he joked.

“And pussies,” I added. “My dad would yank my man card so fast if he knew I was hanging out in gourmet coffee places. The golden arches is for real men.”

“I’ll make sure to let him know you drink lattes now the next time he’s in town.”

I punched Ashton in the shoulder, ignoring his fake wince as I scanned the place and locked in on who I was looking for. Cate sat hunched over a textbook with her long, curly hair hanging around her face, a scone to her left and a steaming cup of something on her right.

Ashton followed my gaze and scowled. “Dude, now’s not the time to get involved.”

“Shut the fuck up, Ash. You’re in a coffee shop too, ogling some blonde.”

“I’m not in line to go pro, and I certainly didn’t make a bet with Sonny.” He poked his finger into my chest and stared me down hard. “And I’m definitely just looking to get laid. You have the eyes of someone wanting to get involved.”

“How the hell would you know?” I muttered while walking to the counter.

Ava brightened when she saw me. As she opened her mouth to greet me, I brought my fingers up to my lips, motioning for her to be quiet.

“Hey, Blane,” she whispered, her brows pinched in a
V
of confusion.

“Hi, Ava,” I said quietly.

“My roommate said to give you this.”

She pulled out a heart-shaped sticky note with
Vicki
and a number written in red lipstick, but I gave her an apologetic smile and waved it away.

“Um, thanks, but it’s not a good time. I don’t want her to be disappointed.” I pushed back my hood, thinking,
I must be losing my mind
. Keeping my voice low, I said, “I was wondering what the girl in the corner is drinking, and I’d like you to make another.”

“Who? The plain girl from the other day? Catie with a
C
?” Returning to her regular voice, Ava said, “She’s wearing earbuds.”

“Oh. Do you know what she’s drinking?”

“Yeah, a full-fat latte. Can you believe that? Who drinks that? No one I know.”

“I didn’t ask that. How ’bout you make me another?” I shoved a few bucks in the tip jar and slapped a ten on the counter.

“What about you, Blane? Want something?”

“You know what? I’ll have a hot cocoa. Full-fat and whipped.”

I watched Ava turn toward her expensive coffee machine and frown at my lack of appreciation of her charms. Steam filled her face, and yeah, she was hot—but a bitch. That used to do it for me, but not anymore.

With the latte and cocoa in my hands, I made my way toward the corner. I set the drinks down on the table next to Cate before tapping her on the shoulder.

“Holy shit!” She jumped in her seat, nearly toppling the pile of work in front of her. “You scared the hell out of me.”

God, I love her foul mouth.

She pulled out her earbuds, letting them dangle above her cleavage. My eyes automatically shifted down, appreciating the view, and I quickly raised them to her face. When she cocked her head and raised an eyebrow, I felt a smile tug at my lips but schooled it.

“I brought you a refill.” I grabbed the paper cups and swung them over to her table.

“Really? Let me get you some money.” She reached around her back and snatched her bag.

“It’s on me.”

“Why?” She turned her dark eyes on me, her brow furrowing. Indignation practically seeped from her pores.

“Just being nice, Cate. That’s it. No ulterior motive.”

She raised an eyebrow again.

“May I sit?”

“Go right ahead.”

“So, what’re you doing?” I asked, taking a sip of my dessert in a cup. God, that shit was sweet.

“I’m researching a paper for my women’s studies class.”

“Really?” I had to remind myself to swallow. Otherwise I would have spit out my drink.

“It’s my major.”

“And you’re putting up with Sonny? All this time, I thought you were finding your own way, but a women’s libber taking his shit? No way.”

“Shh,” she hissed. “I need that internship. I told you. Unlike some people who flaunt their muscles and have tuition, stipends, and steak dinners thrown at them, I need the work/study program.”

“Really? You’re going to go there?” I raised an eyebrow back at her.

“No, sorry. I know you’re talented.”

“Believe me, I get it, needing money. I come from nothing. My dad sends me some ’cause he knows I’ll repay him. But yes, I get a lot of fringe benefits.”

“Can we talk about something else?”

“Sure.”

I leaned back in my chair, studying her. Cate smelled good, like citrus and home. I was from Florida—kill me, but oranges, lemons, and mangos smelled like home.

“So, tell me, is this what the big, bad jock does when he’s sworn off sex?” Leaning over, she sniffed my drink. “Drinks hot chocolate and stalks chubby girls?”

“What?” I leaned across the table. “What do you mean?”

“Sorry to insult your manliness, but that is hot chocolate? With whipped cream.” She swiped her finger across my lip, smoothing away a whipped-cream mustache.

“No, I meant that . . . the other comment. I can’t even say it.”

“What? About chubby girls?”

“Would you stop?”

“I’m sitting here eating a scone. How many girls do you date who eat, let alone enjoy a scone in your company? I’m betting zero.”

“Well, you’re not every girl.”

“Uh, yeah. I’m the one you befriend when you can’t have any others.”

I pinched off a piece of her scone and held it to her lips. “I guess I just have to shut you up with pastries.”

She opened her mouth and wrapped her lips around the pastry. The tip of her tongue grazed my finger and set my cock aflame. This was something new—she did have a point when she said that. Getting turned on by feeding smart and sassy women baked goods was a very new thing, and I liked it.

She swallowed and took a sip of her latte before asking, “So, you ready?”

“For what?”

“The season.”

“You telling me you actually care?”

“Don’t tell anyone, but I’m a closet fan of all those big athletic men in tanks sweating all over one another. Between that and Sonny, I’ll be stripped of my women’s rights status.”

“No way.” I tilted toward her, sniffing more of her lusciousness, and I hardened even more. She was a fan, and she smelled edible.

“Yep. I like the games. I try to make it to a few each season.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I think I’m ready. A lot of pressure on this season, but I’m feeling good.”

“Oh shit,” Cate said, looking at her watch. “I’m supposed to go to a movie tonight, but I have to go drop all of this in my room first.” She stood up and gathered the various papers and printouts, stacking them quickly.

“Come on, I’ll walk you.”

I stood and tossed my half-full cup in the garbage. Cate snatched her last bite of scone and popped it into her mouth. All packed up and zipped in her leather jacket, she said, “I can get there myself.”

“What would be the fun in that? Come on.”

I cocked my head toward the door and gave Ashton the peace sign. He winked at me and went right back to staring at Ava’s tits.

“Where do you live?” I asked.

“Southern dorms. Right across there.” She motioned across College Avenue.

“Sweet. Those are hard to get?” I slowed my pace to match her shorter legs.

“I wanted a single, so it wasn’t as hard. I guess no one really wants to live alone in college.”

“I’d die for a little peace and quiet from time to time. I live with Ashton, the big guy back in the coffee shop, and Alex White lives down the hall with a guy from the football team.”

The wind whipped Cate’s hair across her face, and a few dark curls stuck to her lip gloss. I reached over and pulled the strands free, our eyes meeting for the briefest of seconds. If I weren’t a hot-blooded man, I would have sworn I heard some romantic melody playing in the background.

The spark between this girl and me was intense. Whoever said opposites attract knew what the fuck they were talking about. Cate with her brains and curvy body was doing it for me in a big way. Me, a guy who’d enjoyed so many mindless girls, I’d lost count.