Page 32 of The Last Guy On Earth
He remains standing, though.
“So,” I say. “I’m putting you in for our Trenton game. We fly out tomorrow.”
His shoulders slump. “In other words, I’m benched again tonight?”
“That’s right. Tonight is a weird one. There will be a lot of unusual media attention, and I want everyone comfortable. So I’m not changing a single thing in our lineup.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Yes, Coach. Whatever you say, Coach.”
I snort. “I don’t even care if you’re being sarcastic. I like the sound of it.” I get up and slap him on the shoulder. “Now go watch tape and pretend to be interested.”
Hale’s eyes narrow. “I’m always interested, because I know I’ll be playing that team again, whether it’s tonight or not.”
I hold back a sigh. “Then I apologize for my tasteless joke.” I open the office door, refusing to be distracted by Jethro’s disappointed face.
Before I can clear the doorway, I hear someone shout my name. “Clayzy!” I look up and see my sister running toward me.
“Hey! What the hell are you doing here?”
She skids to a stop in front of me, looking indignant. “Is that any way to say hello?” Then she throws herself into my arms.
“Well, hi,” I say, my arms full of Kaitlyn. “It’s so nice to see you. Although it’s also nice when you call first. I’m having a busy day.”
“I know, dummy,” she says, wiggling out of my arms again. “I’m herebecauseof your busy day. This is huge, and I wanted to witness it in person.”
“That’s cool, Kait. Ten bucks says your boyfriend is also working two hospital shifts in a row.”
She actually smacks my arm. “I’d be here even if that wasn’t true.”
I laugh, but then somebody clears his throat. And I realize I’m blocking the door to my office, trapping Jethro inside. I move my ass out of the way, and as Jethro steps out, he comes face to face with my sister, who looks suddenly startled.
Then her eyes narrow. “So you’re Jethro Hale. I’ll be damned.”
“And you’re the sister,” Jethro says. “Nice to finally meet you.”
“Is it? I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”
“Kait,” I warn, and my face is suddenly hot. She knows a lot about what went down between me and Jethro, but nobody else in this building does.
“I’m late for the video meeting,” Jethro mutters, gaze darting down the hallway. “Excuse me.” Then he sidesteps us both and hurries out of the C-suite.
I grab my sister by the elbow and tow her into my office. Before I close the door, I can see Liana watching us with open fascination. “Okay, what wasthat?” I demand.
“Hey, I didn’t saywhyI’d be keeping an eye on him.” Kait flounces over to my desk and sits on the edge of it. “I just worry about you and him in the same zip code.”
“Well, don’t, okay? Ignoring our...” It’s still hard for me to figure out what to call it. “Our history is working for us so far. And while I’m happy to see you…” I sigh.
“Don’t make snarky comments? Yeah.” She pouts. “I know I shouldn’t have. But there he was, you know? This guy who wrecked you. Fifteen years later, and you’re not over him.”
“That is not true.”
She raises her eyebrows by a fractional degree but doesn’t argue.
I shake my head. “Can we not talk about it? This day is complicated enough.”
“True fact.” She opens her shoulder bag and takes out a slender box. “I got you a present. For the big game tonight.”
“Really? Is it a giant bottle of antacids?”
