Page 87 of The Game
“I just heard he punched some guy. We can’t have anyone escorting vulnerable people around campus with that kind of thing hanging over their heads.”
He doesn’t know. This could be helpful. “Here’s how it went down.” Kenneth is a hundred percent on board once I explain the situation to him. Perfect. This is what it’s all about. I’ve learned a few things from my big, crazy family, after all. It’s all about teamwork.
I’m eager to finish this shift. To gather the troops and get my plan under way, so of course the night dragson. And I’m sure sleep will be a just a hope and a dream at this point, since everything is set for tomorrow.
I’m fiddling with the thin gold bracelet on my wrist while I wait. Of course he’s late. All I want is to get this over with.
“Jazz. I’m surprised you called me. Have you reconsidered?” Darryl sits down across from me, and I pull back in disgust when his knee grazes me. I had my reasons for picking this neutral cafe downtown, but I didn’t think through the implications of sitting across from him at such a small table.
“No, Darryl. I have not reconsidered, but I think it’s about time that you reconsidered.”
He scoffs, a derisive smirk twisting his lips. “And what exactly do I need to reconsider?”
I place my palms on the table, leaning in closer even though his mere presence pains me.
“You need to recant your accusations. You need to go to his team. The athletics department. Whoever you squealed to in the first place and admit that you were wrong.”
“What are you talking about, Jazz? I didn’t do anything. You saw him. He broke my nose.”
“He did not break your nose. He merely pulled you off me. I asked you to leave. I asked you not to touch me and you ignored me. Your advances were unwelcome, as was your presence in my house.”
His smirk deepens, and he folds his arms across his chest. “Sure, fine. You asked me to leave. What of it? You can’t prove anything, Jazz. No one is going to believe you. Hysterical girlfriend trying to make sure she doesn’t lose her meal ticket when her boyfriend gets kicked off the team. Nobody is going to believe you.”
I can’t believe I ever let this guy into my life. He’s disgusting. Too bad he hides it so well at first.
“See, that’s where you’re wrong.” I pull my phone out of my pocket, laying it on the table in front of me so he can see that I’ve been recording our conversation. “Take everything back and I won’t call the police to get a restraining order on you. Or press charges. You violated my home. You touched me when I told you not to, and I’ve got the proof.” I pat the phone in front of me. My insurance. “I don’t think Daddy’s going to be able to get you out of this one. At the very least, you’ll probably get kicked out of school. And that would be a shame after three years of working toward your degree.”
I had no idea his reflexes were so fast. He snatches my phone like a snake snatching its prey.
“You’ve got nothing, bitch.” His breath is sour as he hisses in my face, but the triumph falters when I don’t even ask for the phone back. I just mirror his former posture, leaning back in my seat and smiling at him.
His face blanches. “What do you look so happy about?”
“You didn’t think I was so naïve that I wouldn’t bring along an insurance policy,do you?”
He looks around just as the four guys at the booth behind him slip out of their booth to circle our table. Beau, Dev, and Hail all look intimidating with their height and biceps bulging out of their t-shirts. Kenneth a little less so, but I thought it would be a good idea to have an unbiased observer in on the action. Otherwise he might be able to call foul.
Darryl hits the screen on my phone, then throws his hands up in the air. “Fine, I’m leaving, but you still don’t have the proof. It’s gone. I deleted that, and if you try to use these guys as witnesses, I’ll just say they were threatening me. Obviously, I can’t fight all four of them, and they’re on Cole’s side.”
I shake my head at him. “Do you really think I’m that stupid? That I’d let you delete my evidence without a fight. There are four phones recording this conversation right now. All of it. Including that last threat. You’ve got nothing. I’ve got all the power here and I know you hate that. You prefer your women to be obedient and beaten down. But that’s not me. It never was. I may have fallen for your charms for a little while, but I got out, and now I’m in charge. Fix what you broke. If Cole’s not back on the team by tomorrow, I’m going to the police.”
Dev crosses his arms over his chest, tilting his head. And I can’t think of too many people who wouldn’t be intimidated by that glare attached to those arms.
“Okay. I’ll go. I promise.”
“Today?”
“Today.”
“Now? Want me to get the guys to escort you?”
He shakes his head. The fear is finally in his eyes. Now that he knows, I’ve got him. “No, no. I’m fine. I got this. I’ll go.”
“Perfect. Excellent doing business with you. I can’t say it’s been a pleasure, but I feel a lot better than I did when I got here, so thanks for that.”
“Whatever. Just stay the fuck away from me, Jazz. And keep your guard dogs away, too.”
“Hey. I never want to see you again. And if all goes well and you do your job, I won’t have to. Bye, Darryl.”