Page 70 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs
He shrugs and offers a soft smile. “Wanted to see Alkazarplay one more time. It’s such a pleasure to watch that kid. He’s a damn pro through and through.” He winks at me. “Pretty excited I got him for the Gulch. Not an offensive line in the business that can beat mine now.”
I groan. “Don’t rub it in.”
He sucks at his teeth and looks at the field, seeming to consider something. When he turns back to me, I know what he’ll say before he says it.
“I’ve officially resigned, Manorin. It’ll go public next week, and Alkazar knows. I was up front with him and told him I wanted you for the role. Town leadership’s putting together an offer for you. It’ll be generous. I told them whatever they were thinking…double it to get you.”
He looks at me as I stand there, dread filling me.
Realization drifts through his eyes. “Oh. You don’t know that you’ll take the job, do you?”
“No,” is all I can manage. “It’s complicated here.”
He lifts his chin slightly, eyes scanning my face. “That pretty little succubus got something to do with it?”
I nod, running both hands through my hair. “She has everything to do with it.”
He gives me an understanding smile as he slips his big hands into his pockets. “Well, I can’t give you any advice you don’t already know, old friend. You’ll get a beyond attractive offer from us in the next day or so. I imagine Ever’s gonna make you one too. You’ll make the right decision…I know you will.”
That said, he turns and disappears toward the stands where other monsters are still leaving.
I turn and sink against the wall, groaning. It’s shitty poor timing for my career aspirations to finally align and be so at odds with my personal life. I’d bet a thousand bucks Hadrian took that job assuming I was headed there.
Irritated, I cast that aside. I’ve got to take care of my team because that game kicked our asses.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CATHERINE
Normally, I adore skyball. And while the crowd was insane over the game, I recognize poor sportsmanship when I see it. I can’t imagine how frustrated Manorin likely is. When he asked me to come to the locker room, I sensed it in his tone.
I pass Gil Stoneswallow with a gaggle of female monsters surrounding him, peppering him with questions. He catches my eye and waves, but all I can manage is a quick purse of the lips as I skirt past the group. I run right into another monster in my haste to get out of Gil’s view.
“Oh my word, my apologies,” I manage as I bounce off the bigger-bodied male and try to right myself.
“No worries, Catherine.”
My mouth drops open as I look up into Rip Shorthorn’s ruggedly handsome face. He winks. “Quite a game, huh?”
“What are you doing here?” I blurt out. But I already know.
“Came to see Hadrian play.” He gives me a cagey look. We both know that’s not entirely true.
Oh shit. Oh shiiiit.
I clear my throat. “Alkazar played a professional game. He’s a good kid.”
Rip smiles. “He is.” He glances behind me toward the busy hallway. “Well, I’m goin’, Catherine. Have a good one.”
“You too,” I manage as he strides past me. My chest heaves with tight anxiety. He was here for Nor, I know he was. Which means he’s retiring and making sure Nor gets offered that job.
Anxiety piles on until I have to suck in great gaping breaths to fill my lungs. I tuck my Ever Misfits sign under my arm and lean against the wall as I think about workarounds and alternatives and any possible future that would easily allow us to both have our dreams.
Heading into the depths of the stadium, I find the locker room assigned to Manorin’s team. His deep voice echoes from the inside.
Pushing the door open, I find Ohken standing there leaning against the wall with an ice pack strapped to one big thigh. He shoots me a quick smile as I enter the space, sliding my arm around his waist. He puts an arm around my shoulder as we look into the packed locker room. Every player is here, staring at Manorin at the front of the room.
Manorin stands there with a half smile on his face, both hands slung low in the pockets of his athletic shorts. His whistle hangs between both pecs, glinting in the room’s low light as he looks around, capturing each player’s attention.
