Page 38 of Ready to Snap
“It won’t be like the Cougars. No one is going to ask you to quit because of who you are dating. Actually, I’d like to offer you a promotion—Director of Operations. You’d report directly to me, and regardless of what happens with your personal relationship, your job will be safe. You’re too valuable to lose. And, yes, you’ll have that in writing.”
“Can I think about it? This is a lot of information to process at once, and I’d like to talk to Will before deciding.”
“Of course. In the meantime, there’s something I need to discuss with you regarding my own personal relationship…”
Dean shares about his unconventional situation with his new girlfriend, Meghan. He’s right—it would be a mess to clean up if it gets out. Once he’s done explaining, he leaves to make a call, giving me time to think and a space to make a few of my own calls if needed. I pace back and forth in the suite, mumbling to myself for what feels like three hundred years.
There is no way I can spin this—the league isn’t going to look too kindly on one of the owners being in a relationship with a woman who has another boyfriend, let alone two, no matter how consensual. I’ll have my work cut out for me if the press gets wind of it.
Desperate for a distraction, I check the final score of the Cougars, blowing out a long breath—at least one of us is having a good day. In the mood to mess with him, I sent off a quick text.
What are your thoughts on me taking a lover?
Darling
Depends, gorgeous. Does he want to live to see tomorrow?
There’s this hot guy I know, and I think he might be into me.
Who is he? Do I need to text Russ?
I giggle to myself as I send my reply. It’s entirely too easy to get under his skin.
Just someone that I heard is buying a team in California.
Either Dean told you, or he’s a soon-to-be dead man.
I was talking about YOU, Darling. I signed the NDA.
Fuck, Elle! You almost had me moving up my flight to California!
What do you mean moving up your flight?
I click on the video call option, and Will appears after less than a ring.
Eyes twinkling with mischief, he purrs, “Hey, gorgeous.”
“You don’t have a game here. Why are you coming to California?”
“I want to see my girl. And I also need to meet with a few lawyers out there in the morning.”
“We’re flying out at noon tomorrow,” I sigh. “I’ll barely see you.”
“Want me to yell at Dean to ask if you can stay an extra day?” His playful tone is short-lived as he admits, “I miss you.”
“I miss you too. We’re playing New York next week… and since we don’t have a game the same night, I’m coming to yours.”
Will’s face lights up, my favorite little crinkles appearing at the edges of his eyes. “Are you serious? Need me to get you onto the field?”
“No,” I laugh, biting my lip. “I got a box with a few friends. We wanted to guarantee we’d be able to see you play. Playoffs are unpredictable.”
“You think I won’t at least make it to the conference championship?”
“Of course I do, but with people flying in for it, who knows where you’ll be in a few weeks.”
“Flying in?”
I slap my hand over my mouth. “I didn’t say that.”
