End Zone (SEU #3)

[ 16.1 ] GOOD THRILL (ALTERNATIVE) (BONUS CHAPTER)

PREVIEW [ FULL CHAPTER AVAILABLE ON MY PATREON NOW ]

END ZONE

[ 16.1 ] GOOD THRILL (ALTERNATIVE) (BONUS CHAPTER)

MATTEO

"You missed my call this morning! There's always an issue with you!" The sound of Brigette's voice creeping up behind me while attempting to stuff my face with a few snacks on the table. I jumped, biting my tongue in the process as I turned around to see her slender frame, pushing through the others who were attempting to grab someone to eat off of the table.

My vision was a bit blurry. "Look Brigette, I haven't eaten all day." I was attempting to calm myself down, not wishing to display that I had a few drinks in my system. I could not allow the adrenaline in my system to drive me insane in public in front of all of these people.

I wasn't the best at praying and expressing myself externally but I learned that whenever I was around this woman, I needed to learn to really manage my emotions. If not, she would drag me into the tornado of chaos that she embodied.

The guys and I had a few drinks, which I knew I shouldn't have done, but this was a big event for me. With the amount of media attention, training and interviews I had lined up, my nerves were bad. I felt guilty for lying to my wife last night and here I was, dropping eye drops in my eyes to disguise the fact that they were becoming a cloudy red with each drink I had.

"We need to talk! Where's your fitting room?" She looked around, her eyes seemingly larger than I remembered.

I shook my head, reaching down for the covered cup that had a mix of tequila, an unknown simple syrup and a splash of red bull, just before this tornado stormed up to me.

Not wishing to cause a scene, I nudged her in front of me. "I really need you to stop entering spaces with so much ruckus."

"Ruckus?" She turned her neck back to look at me so fast, I can swear I heard it snap. "You smell weird."

"Yes, ruckus. Go," I nudged her again, stuffing the last small portion I had in my hand into my mouth. I didn't care to speak to her with a mouth full of food. She was neither my wife nor my mother. "I'm room 2."

"Who the hell did they put in 1?"

Bryant, I thought to myself.

"It doesn't matter." I choked out, as she opened the dressing door, forcing my way behind her to prevent her from stepping out and behaving like a maniac.

Sensing me behind her, her large eyes remained and she turned around, seemingly flushed as she ran her hands over her face.

"You just don't understand how difficult you're making my job!" She actually growled. I'm not kidding.

I took a sip of my drink, walking around her to get to my chair.

"What's wrong today?" I asked snarkily, not really caring for her theatrics today.

I needed to have another conversation with Todd and see how I could work this out so she could still have a job, just not working so closely with me.

"I had a very important, influential connection wishing to have a conversation regarding a huge charity event that could put you on the spotlight and support your endeavors on supporting those young boys you're always hanging out with." She was pacing behind me and as I looked into the mirror, I finally was able to take her in fully.

Her raven dark hair was pulled into a low ponytail, revealing the curves of her face. She wore a black and white button fitted dress, pronouncing her curves. On her feet were stiletto black heels and each time she paced by my chair, the scent of whatever perfume she was wearing filled my nostrils.

She smelled good and her outfit fitted well on her frame. I never expressed any attraction towards her but I didn't deny that she had her days where she was attractive.

I took a deep breath, looking at myself in the mirror in front of me with a questioned look.

I pressed my lips together.

"I'm not hanging out with young boys." I corrected her. "I'm in the process of mentorship and building something on my own. You know this Brigette." I spoke, shutting my eyes for a moment to calm the spinning that was going on inside of my head.

She groaned out in frustration. "Do you know how many conversations I've dropped your name in to get you to this moment? This charity event will have billionaires, old money, new money. Opportunities." Brigette paused from pacing.

She stood in the mirror and folded her arms, pushing up her cleavage. I furrowed my brows. We both stared at one another in the mirror.

"I don't need to kiss ass for anyone's money. I have money, Brigette."

"And we want you to have more money." She added, stepping closer to me. "I just don't understand what your problem is. What do I have to do, in order to keep you in check?"

I scoffed at her, staring at her in the mirror. "Keep me in order?" I repeated.

"Yeah," Brigette placed one of her hands on the chair and took a step closer by my side. Her eyes met mine in the mirror and she sniffed me. "What...What is that? What's in your cup? Are you drinking?"

"No." I lied. Fuck. When did I get back to lying like this? And out of all the people in the world, why was I lying to Brigette?

I kept my face stoic, hoping she was buying the lie, unsure of how strong the smell of alcohol was in my cup.

"You know, I've done my research about you. I know about you."

"You're unreal, Brigette. Tell me. What do you know?" I taunted her.

Brigette was the last person on this earth to ever think that she knew any part of me. If anything, I knew more about Brigette than she knew about mine. I knew Brigette was a shark and in knowing that, I also knew she'd do anything to get the desired outcome she wanted. She was aggressive in her fight to a successful career and I did not ever doubt that Briegtte was career oriented and hard working. The main issue I had with her was her work style.

Brigette stepped closer, her hand now traveling to my shoulder. Inwardly, I was stunned but I remained calm, unsure on what the fuck she had up her sleeve.

"I know that you are a man that loves a good thrill. You have a good time. You love the money, the drinks, the jewelry. You are living the life. And you know what comes with that life, Four?"

I took in a deep breath, raising my brow at her in the mirror.

"You were the talk of your town in your school days but you're not that far off these days." Her voice changed, she wasn't speaking to me aggressively as she usually did. Instead, her tone altered, her volume decreased. It was almost as if she was speaking to me in a hushed tone, attempting to persuade me.

"Brigette, really, you don't know me."

"I know you like a good little game, right? Maybe that's our disconnect here. Maybe I'm not playing the right game with you." She leaned in, her hand traveling further down my shoulder.

I took another deep breath, attempting to control myself. What the fuck did Brigette think she was doing? Was she flirting with me? Was she trying to seduce me?

I needed to put my drink down. Shit. I couldn't think.

"Todd told me about you wanting to move me around, and replace me." Her manicured fingernail trailed to my neck.

"Brigette, stop." I told her, bass in my voice to ensure I was serious.

"Four, I know about you. I see how you look at other women..." She chuckled. "I see you." Her hand, what the fuck was she doing?

I caught her wrist, grabbing her before her hands traveled down my chest.

"I have a wife."

Brigette wasn't stunned at my thick fingers wrapped around her wrists and instead, she smirked.

PREVIEW [ FULL CHAPTER AVAILABLE ON MY PATREON NOW ]