Free Reckless: A Bad Boy Sport Romance by Christina Clark Page B

Detective Bassinger and this Detective Schwartz from the SFPD. We'd like to ask you a few questions.”

Chapter Two: Brooklyn
     
    2016
     
    “Come on, Brooks, you're missing the best part! Lisa just told Madeline her stretch marks make her look like an albino zebra – it is officially about to go down!”
    I grabbed the bowl of popcorn from the microwave and plopped down next to Tabitha on my sofa. With her eyes still glued to the screen, she reached into the bowl next to her, squawking with laughter. She tossed a handful of popcorn into her mouth and promptly spit it back out.
    “Ah, ah, crap! That's hot.” She stuck out her tongue, fanning her mouth.
    “Um, doy. I just took that out of the microwave.”
    I don't think Tabitha heard me. She slapped an arm over her chest, laughing uproariously and spraying projectiles of shredded popcorn everywhere. I propped my head up with my elbow on the armrest, reaching for the popcorn piece by piece. It smelled like buttery goodness but tasted like stale cardboard and lies, much like everything else I'd eaten all week.
    Still, I munched on vapidly, watching as Madeline snatched off one of Lisa's hair extensions and began whipping the housewife over the head with it. When a screeching Lisa finally got away from her, Madeline chased her around the $50,000 kitchen, the extension swinging in her hand like a diseased fox tail. The only thing missing was the Benny Hill theme song.
    “Okay, I swear I know Madeline's got more than a few screws loose, but I freakin' love her.” Tabitha cleared off the popcorn debris around her and took a sip of her mimosa. She turned back to me, her smile ebbing. “The housewives not doing it for you today, huh? That's okay. We can watch something else. Wanna watch some horrible singers get ridiculed on stage in front of millions of people?”
    “No, that's okay. This is fine.” I sat up and plastered a grin on my face. “Sorry, I know I've been in a crappy mood –”
    “Tell me about it,” said Tabitha, cocking an eyebrow. “You've been so mopey the last couple of weeks, plants wilt when you walk past them. It's time you get out of the house and get some of that fresh air in your system. Clear your head.”
    “I have been getting out of the house,” I pointed out, crossing my arms stubbornly. “I've been going to work. And the studio. So, ha.”
    “You know what I mean,” Tabitha snapped, switching off the TV. She turned around to face me, tucking her legs under her. “I was at Sparxx last night, and Mario said he hasn't seen you in nearly a month.”
    “Yeah, well, not really in the mood to be around all those people. Don't wanna be a downer.” I shrugged, blowing away the strands of hair sticking to my cheek. “Besides, I'm being thrifty. I'm probably saving tons by drinking at home.”
    “Whatever, don't act like you don't get free drinks all night from random guys, anyway,” Tabitha retorted, pursing her lips. “The kids can see it too, you know. They're not blind, or stupid. Thumper and Maria have been calling me all week, asking about you. I mean, get this – Bill the Newsstand Guy didn't even try catcalling or hitting on me when he saw me today. He genuinely wanted to know if you were alright!”
    “Okay, okay, I get it. I appreciate the concern from all of you, really. I just need a little time alone, and I'll be good as new. Promise.”
    “Well, don't do it for us. Do it for you, dummy.” Tabitha sighed. She leaned her head against the couch so that she was looking me squarely in the eye. Up close, the bold black wings on the corners of her glistering eyes were absolute perfection. “Come on, Brooks. You can't tell me you didn't see this coming. You've been trying to come up with ways to break it off for months. Shouldn't you be feeling – I don't know – relieved?”
    “I am, but I'm on the verge of disconnecting my phone lines.” My nose rumpled. “Xavier's been calling me non-stop, and he won't stop showing up