“Thanks,” I say, turning and leaving the office.
Mac steps out of the office next door and claps me on the shoulder as he passes.I’m waved into the office he exited by a pretty brunette with gray eyes.She smiles and says, “Hi, welcome aboard.I’m Miranda Quinn, most folks call me Randi.Do you like to be called Oliver, or do you have a nickname?”
I shake her proffered hand and sit on the couch across from her desk.“Hi, Randi, nice to meet you.You can call me Ollie or King.I don’t have a nickname.”
“The guys will probably call you King or come up with something random once they know you better.”
I shrug.I got called all sorts of things on my old team.Whatever the Devil Birds come up with probably won’t be any worse than that.
“Okay, here’s info on dress code.”Randi slides a bunch of papers across the desk toward me.“Where to enter, time to arrive.Your access badge.Your jersey is getting stitched now and will be in your locker.How many tickets do you need for tonight?For friends and family.A girlfriend, maybe?I get can get them jerseys or other gear with your name and number on them too, but I need to know sizes.”
She has her pen poised above a pad of paper, ready to take notes.
My face heats.I’ve got family here, but obviously, I’m single.I just got off a dating show and told the nation I’m a virgin.But maybe she doesn’t know.And I can’t help but think of Phoebe….“I don’t know if I need any tickets.My brother lives nearby.Shifting Pines.But he’s out of town.I have a friend, but I don’t know her schedule…”
“It doesn’t have to be for tonight.It can be for tomorrow.Or any home game.We like to know in advance though,” Randi says.
“My brother and his wife are away until next week.Okay if I take a sec to check with my friend?”
“Sure!I’m grabbing some cocoa.Can I get you a water or anything?”Randi offers.
I shake my head.“I’m good, but thanks.”
She leaves out a second door I hadn’t noticed, and I realize it goes to the dining room where the team has meals.I pull out my phone and call up the text string with Phoebe.
Me: Hey, I’m playing in tonight’s game.Tomorrow too.Did you want tickets to either or both?
Phoebe: Yay!Absolutely!Tonight, please.Maybe tomorrow.Can I bring a friend?
Randi comes back into her office carrying a mug.
“Can I get a pair of tickets for tonight?Maybe tomorrow too?”I ask.
“Of course,” Randi says, putting her mug on a coaster on her desk.“Stands or owners’ suite?”
Me: I can get two tickets for each night.Do you want to sit in the stands or the owners’ suite?
Phoebe: Stands!Thank you!
Glancing up at Randi, I say, “Stands, please.”
“Perfect.They’ll be at will call.What name should they be under?”
“Phoebe Albright,” I say.
There’s surprise in Randi’s gray eyes.“Is she a baker?”
It’s my turn to be surprised.“Yeah, do you know her?”
“Not personally, but I know her work.We love treats from the Half-Cocked Bake Shop, and I think she’s baking Coach’s wedding cake.”
Pride warms my heart at hearing praise for Phoebe’s talent.She deserves it.
“That’s awesome.Getting fresh-baked cookies is a plus of being traded here.”And being near Phoebe, but I keep that to myself.
“Do you want a jersey or T-shirt for her left with the tickets?”
A grin spreads across my face at the thought of Phoebe wearing my jersey.
