Changing the subject, I pin Perry with a glare. “Obviously, you got the reaction you wanted. Are you going to quit flirting with my girlfriend now?”
He throws his hands in the air innocently. “Like I said, I didn’t even get to my good stuff.”
“Save it for another woman, Casanova.”
“Touchy, touchy.”
“Be a shame for that pretty face to get damaged right before we start scheduling promo shots for the season.”
His grin falls slightly, but he straightens his stance and holds my stare. “Yeah, that would be a shame. Especially since my new agent’s fees are going to cut into my plastic surgery fund.”
I jerk my chin, acknowledging his decision. He knows about my rate hike. He knows he fucked up with his attitude yesterday. But he also knows I’m a great agent, and he wants me to represent him.
Bizzy squeezes my shoulder, pride written all over her face. She knows what happened and understands the importance of his statement. My usual spike of adrenaline when landing a deal is nothing compared to the way her expression hits me. Without thinking about our audience, I lean in and steal a quick kiss, letting my lips linger a little longer than anticipated.
“Okay, now I’m definitely going to be Gail’s favorite. Not to mention, I have proof.” Darren waves his phone at me with a shit-eating grin, showing off the picture he took.
“When the hell did Darren Jackson, one of the toughest running backs in the NFL, turn into such a sap?”
“Hey, man, like I mentioned, I have three sisters. Besides, Gail told me to make sure and get pictures. This should make her happy.”
“Jesus,” I mutter, dropping my head to Bizzy’s shoulder.
She adjusts, rearranging her body to sit up straight. “So, guys, tell me about you! I met Joe last night, but we didn’t get much of a chance to know each other.”
The whole mood shifts instantly. Asking a group of three men, especially professional athletes, to talk about themselves, is one way to completely change the conversation. For the next hour, I sit and listen to each of them talk about their positions, boasting louder than necessary when trying to outdo the other.
I already know almost everything they tell her since I make it a point to know my clients, but she listens intently, giving them her full attention. When Darren starts talking about his season, she amazes him with her football knowledge.
“I get that you’re dating a sports agent, but damn, you know a shitload about the game.”
“Oh, Shaw didn’t teach me. My best friend, Nicky, did.”
“She must be a huge fan,” Darren says.
Bizzy snorts and shakes her head, looking over her shoulder at me. “They don’t know?”
“Not by me.” I shrug.
She turns back to them and starts to explain. “Nicky is a man. He’s a player in Miami. You may know him—”
Darren slaps his hands together loudly, cutting her off and causing her to jump a little in my lap. “Nicky? In Miami? As in Nick Bennett?”
“That’s him.” She nods enthusiastically.
“The same Nick Bennett that’s Crenshaw Bennett’s brother?” Joe points at me.
“That’s him. He’s how Shaw and I met, really. It was a long time ago, but we’ve been friends forever.”
“Shit!” Darren runs his hands down his face then cocks his head to the side. “No offense, but that motherfucker gave us the worst loss of the season last year.”
“I was there! It was a great game.” She reaches over to pat his hand. “Better luck next time.”
He moves his hands over his heart, acting wounded. “I’m glad we don’t have to play them this year. It’s still a raw wound.”
“I’m a nurse, so I can tell you with medical expertise, this kind of wound will heal.”
“Shit, I need a beer.” Darren walks over to the cooler, mumbling something under his breath.
The Captain yells back that we’re approaching the spot, and the mate starts to get our rods ready. Joe and Perry move to him, watching as he prepares.
“You know,” Bizzy twists her body, placing her hands on my chest, “I didn’t take you for the possessive type.”
“Only with you. Not that I have a lot of experience in this area, and I’ve always been protective of you. But today, it was different. Seeing Perry flirt with you set off something I’ve never felt before, and it felt fucking great.”
“It really did,” she agrees.
“So kiss me.”
She doesn’t hesitate to slant her head and lean in, running her lips across mine softly.