waiting for his accolades. And it took only a moment to realize he sort of was, as evidenced by all the greetings and high-fives that came his way.
It was incredible. As we moved through the stadium concourse, packed with people buying hotdogs and Cokes and hurrying so they wouldn’t miss the start of the exhibition basketball game, the crowd actually parted for him. He made eye contact with everyone he could, nodding and smiling.
What a narcissist. He was like a politician running for office.
I wanted to barf.
We showed our seat numbers to an usher, whose eyes widened when he saw Ty.
“Come right this way,” he said, gesturing that we follow him.
We started down the steep stadium stairs past the okay seats, then the good seats, then the great seats, until we reached the actual floor the game was played on.
I supposed those were the fucking awesome seats.
Because, of course. He was a star athlete, and everywhere he went, the red carpet was rolled out for him. No wonder he was shocked I turned down his dates. People like Ty were walking currency, which opened doors closed to us mere mortals.
We took our floor seats, and Ty waved to someone who arrived with a box of snack items to choose from.
“Want some popcorn? Or something to drink?” he offered.
I examined the offerings. “Sure, popcorn. And a water.”
The happy servant produced our order and took off as fast as he’d arrived.
“Don’t we have to pay him?” I asked.
He looked at me with a proud smile and took a chug of his soda. “Nope,” he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
Jesus.
“I turned your paper in. I mean my paper,” he said, nudging me.
If Adler—I meant Benno—ever found out I’d written that paper, well, I didn’t know what he’d do. But I was confident he’d be majorly pissed.
“Cool,” I said, looking everywhere but at Ty.
I wanted to make it clear to him that I was there only under duress. He might have thought he could dazzle me with good seats and VIP treatment at a college game, but that shit meant nothing to me. It was a shame such privileges were wasted on such an ungrateful imbecile.
Chapter 31
SENNA
The game started and I was bored five minutes in. I could appreciate that these college athletes were talented and were providing valuable entertainment to fans of the game, but I could give a shit about basketball, and was massively resentful I’d been manipulated into spending a free evening there with a man I was coming to detest.
When the crowd roared over something one of the players had done, Ty leaned toward my ear. “I hope you’re having fun Senna, because we are going to do this again.”
My head snapped in his direction. I wanted to punch him in his smug face, but I limited myself to glaring. “You’re fucking kidding. There will be no more of us”—I gestured between the two of us for emphasis—“after tonight. I’m only here because I have to be.”
He smirked and shook his head. “Senna, Senna, Senna. You don’t seem to understand that you don’t have a say in this matter.”
Please.
I didn’t get to this point in my life by letting douchebags get the better of me.
I stood, letting my popcorn spill all over the floor. “Go fuck yourself.”
He tried to grab my hand, but I was too fast. I headed for the stairs to get back up to the concourse. The night was over.
And on my way up my interminable climb, who did I see in the good seats, but Chase Baldwyn.
Shit.
I hung my head and started taking the steps two at a time, finally reaching the top, out of breath and sweaty.
I had to get the hell out of there. I looked in every direction once I’d reached the concourse, trying to figure out which way the exit was.
I saw a sign with an arrow and headed toward it. But as soon as I did, Chase appeared right in front of me.
“Oh!”
“Hey, Senna. Are you okay?” he asked, concerning crossing his face.
“I… I’m not sure. I have to get out of here,” I said in a trembling voice, looking around in a panic.
What the hell was wrong with me? Sure, I’d just climbed a shitload of steps, but my chest was tighter than if someone were sitting on it.
“C’mon,” Chase said, taking my hand. “I’ll drive you home.”
As soon as the night air hit my face, I began to feel some relief.
“Are you gonna tell