Page 66 of One More Chance
“I don't think that's how we're supposed to talk about the sponsors buddy,” he snapped.
“Pardon me, sir. Just joking.” Tim playfully tapped Logan on the arm and walked away.
Logan shook his head; he couldn’t worry about who was going to be there. He wondered if Charlotte regretted writing that big check.
Logan jumped up and down a couple of times before heading into the dressing room. He didn't believe in yelling at his team. He built up his players with positivity and visualizations. He wrapped up his speech and stood by the door as the players headed out the door to the most important game of the season, fist bumping them all as they walked by. As the last team member left the room, Tim the coordinator, showed up. “Hey Logan, the CEO wants you out on the ice.”
“What? Why?”
“He wants each of the coaches to present the sponsors with a plaque.”
“Nope, not going to do it.”
“Boss’s orders,” Tim said and strode away.
Logan couldn't believe it. What were the chances that the hot sponsor was some woman other than Charlotte?
“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath. He let the dressing room door slam heavily behind him, straightened his tie, and headed out to the red carpet.
The players lined either side of the red carpet as the coaches strode out to their places at the end. Logan was handed a plaque, he glanced at it, but he already knew whose name was going to be on it. A thirteen-year-old singing sensation belted out the national anthem, bringing the Gardens to a roar. He sighed. Even though he was ready for it, his heart started to thump a little harder. His plaque read Charlotte O'Hare.
Put on your game face, he said to himself. This woman hates your guts.
He could feel his palms getting sweaty. His breath hitched as he watched Charlotte and an old white-haired man walk the red carpet together. The audience clapped politely.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a warm round of applause to Charlotte O'Hare and Ken Reed. Bob Kaufman, coach of the Otters, will be presenting the plaque to Ken Reed and Logan Brush of the Bobcats will be presenting to Charlotte O'Hare.” The announcer drew out her last name theatrically.
Logan’s gaze was trained on the carpet and he saw her boots before he saw her face. He knew that his cheeks were beet red and he reluctantly raised his head to meet her beautiful eyes.
“Thank you for your contributions, Miss O'Hare,” he said. He handed her the plaque with his left hand and extended his right to shake hers. She reached for Logan’s hand but surprised him by leaning forward into a business kiss/handshake combo. He couldn’t help but inhale her scent and his stomach clenched into a knot as she whispered in his ear, “Go to hell.”
Logan’s jaw dropped. She pulled her hand away from his and turned to give the audience a huge smile and wave. Without looking back, she marched down the red carpet and off the ice.
Logan had never seen her eyes look so cold. That’s when he knew for sure that he’d lost her forever.
Chapter 27
