Page 59 of Once Upon A Player
It takes longer than it should for Dad’s words to make sense in my brain. “What?”
“He’s leaving United. He was probably contractually bound not to say anything. Anyway, I didn’t want you hearing it from anyone else.”
Lucas is leaving? The new season starts in a couple of weeks.
The words corkscrew through my mind, finally falling into some kind of order.
Lucas is leaving in two weeks.And he never breathed a word about it.
No strings.Whatever. It still hurts.
I clear my throat, as Dad’s waiting for my reply. “Oh, okay. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll see you later.”
Before he can say anything else, I cut the call, since I don’t want to talk about it. Sure, he’ll bring it up again tonight, but at least that gives me a few hours to process things and talk it through with Katie.
I’m supposed to be meeting Lucas later.We didn’t see each other yesterday, and it’s crazy how much I missed him. I suppose I’ll just have to act all breezy like it doesn’t matter, and it shouldn’t, but it does.
So much for not falling for him. I knew that wasn’t going to work right from the start, and every time we’ve been together since has just made my vow seem more ridiculous than ever.
An hour later, I’m getting ready to go off duty. I need to get back home so I can work a couple of hours on my VA job before I knuckle down on my next assignment for college. It’s not as easy as I imagined, keeping up with my studies when I’m seeing Lucas.
Make the most of it.Another two weeks and I’ll have all the time I need.
The door opens, and someone wearing dark jeans and hoodie comes in. Where the hell is Tristan? He’s supposed to be here by now. I don’t usually mind working a few extra minutes over time, even though I don’t get paid for it.
I don’t feel like doing that today, though.
And whoisthat? For some reason, he’s strangely familiar. It’s not until he’s on the other side of the desk that he looks up and slays me with his gorgeous smile.
“I didn’t recognize you.” Oh my God. Lucas Carter’s in the lobby of Sycamore Lodge. Not that anyone appears to notice him. I try to stay calm and professional, especially since he’s leaving soonand didn’t tell me.But it’s no good. Inside, I’m totally melting.
“That’s the idea. I’m incognito.”
“Why?” I lean over the desk so I can whisper, just in case someone might decide to eavesdrop. “Don’t you want to be seen in a place like this?”
He gives the lobby an exaggeratedly furtive glance, keeping his hood up. If anyone was looking at him, they’d be forgiven for thinking he was right dodgy.
“I’ve wanted to see where you worked. It’s just the way you told me.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Tristan saunter in, so I quickly make my escape and join Lucas the other side of the desk. I don’t take his arm or go in for a kiss, though. I mean, there’s obviously a reason he doesn’t want to be recognized.
It’s gotnothingto do with my stupid wounded feelings.
“But not up to your usual standards.” Why did I say that? It sounds so snotty, especially since I know he isn’t like that at all. So why is he in disguise? Is there a paparazzo following him?
He sighs, and his smile falls away, leaving him looking oddly vulnerable. It only lasts for a second before he resumes his mask, and guilt pinches me.
I don’t want him wearing his public mask for me.
Bugger the press.And my pride.I slip my arm through his and give him a squeeze. I might wish that he’d taken the time to tell me about his transfer himself, but something’s off-kilter, and I bet it has nothing to do with his soaring career. “Is everything all right?”
“I didn’t know if you’d want to be seen with me here.”
My heart melts. And yes, that same heart is going to cry a river when he steps on the plane, but I can handle an amicable breakup, and the gutter press can go screw themselves.
“I don’t mind being seen with youanywhere.” And I mean it. Even if it’s for only two more weeks.
This time his smile is all for me, the one I’ve become used to seeing when we’re alone together, and my last hurt feelings about him not confiding his career plans with me die. “You’re so good for me.” He gives me a lingering kiss, and even though we’re in the middle of my workplace, I don’t want it to ever end.
