Page 30 of Sin Bin Daddies
Of course.
I grind my teeth and pick someone else, anyone else. “Daniel Michaels,” I spit out.
Daisy snorts under her breath. “Seriously?”
I look up. “What?”
She lifts a brow. “You’re passing on my top pick?”
I shrug. “I stand by my choice.”
Her eyes flick to me, then to Madeline, then back.
Oh, she knows something.
But she doesn’t push. Just scribbles something on her clipboard before Ace calls them back in for the final audition.
I don’t know why I’m so fucking tense, but my hands clench into fists as Madeline steps forward.
She’s… fucking good, better than she should be. Energetic, playful, actually nailing the mascot’s personality.
The guy I picked? He’s fine. Nothing special, and I already know it.
Ace runs a hand over his jaw, exhaling before standing. “Alright. Here’s the deal.” He crosses his arms, looking at both of them. “Our old mascot’s ACL is still torn, meaning he’s out, probably until next season. This is why we need a temporary replacement. The job means you’ll be traveling with the team for away games. You’ll be at every single home game. You good with that?”
My pick hesitates. “Wait. It’s not just a one-time thing?”
Ace shakes his head.
The guy sighs, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah… that’s a no for me. I thought this was a gig for the next game only.”
Ace turns to Madeline, but I speak before he does, before I can stop myself. “What about you?”
She meets my gaze, something flickering behind those blue eyes.
“I’ll be here for a while,” she says, voice steady. “I’ll take the job.”
Ace nods. “Great. It’s yours.”
She smiles, actually fucking smiles, and despite the absolute fucking chaos in my head, I have to force myself not to react.
Ace claps his hands together. “Daisy, walk her to HR and get her signed.”
Madeline nods. “Sounds good.”
She turns, heading toward the exit with Daisy.
I watch her, jaw tight, an unsettling feeling twisting in my stomach, but she doesn’t look back.
Not once.
And I hate how fucking disappointed I feel.
Ace exhales, crossing his arms. “At least that’s done.”
I nod, keeping my expression neutral.
“Ready to run drills with the team?” he asks.
