I grab my purse and head toward the door, not wanting to be here whenhearrives. I text Dwayne to meet me downstairs.
Ineed you to accompany me into the city.
Is this the appointment Franklin was asking about?
Yes. For a tattoo.
BRANDON
My feet move slowlyas I step into the home of the LA Sharks. While my mind is thinking positive thoughts, my feet move as though they are weighed down with lead. I walk up to the receptionist’s desk, Ewan right beside me.
The young girl smiles. “Mr. Johns, I’ll have security direct you to the boardroom.”
“No need. I know the way. My security will accompany me.”
“You both need to sign in.”
“Easily done.”
A lie. None of this is easy. The long hallway stretches ahead, each step heavier than the last. I pause outside the boardroom, the weight of what’s to come pressing down on me. Closing my eyes, I draw in a deep, steadying breath, willing myself to hold it together.
“Are you okay?” Ewan asks.
“No matter what happens in there, I don’t want you to react. You’re to remain silent.”
“You make it sound as though it might break out into a fight,” he says, concerned.
“It might.” A certain someone would take the opportunity to throw a punch. “No matter what, don’t interfere.”
His brows pinch before he nods.
I push open the door, and the men around the long wooden table all stand. Walter, the general manager, claps his hands, and the others in the room reciprocate the welcome.
“Welcome home, Brandon.” He strides over to me and shakes my hand. This man has fought to get me here, and I should be thankful, not ready to turn and bolt out the door.
“Thank you. I’d like to introduce my security and personal trainer, Ewan.”
“I see why he’s your security.”
Ewan shakes his hand, and we slowly make our way around the room. With each welcome, my heart rate picks up as I search the room looking forher.It’s not that I expectedherto be here, but the absence of the governor and CEO is blindingly obvious.
Finally, the president and vice president of basketball operations step forward—Franklin and Jobe.
Jobe shakes my hand, and my earth tilts. How is this happening? The reality of it all knocks me off-kilter. Grabbing hold of the back of a chair, I steady myself. Her absence clarifies I’m unwanted, so why go to the trouble to drag me here against my will?
“Take a seat.” Jobe pulls out the chair beside him. “You’ll be fine.”
I don’t believe him.
These aren’t ordinary moments I can take in my stride. I never wanted to come back here. I feel dragged from under the ground and forced to be here, and now I’m supposed to be thankful for my resurrection.
For the next thirty minutes, the staff speaks briefly abouttheir role and asks if there are any questions. Since I barely heard a word with the ringing in my ears, I don’t have any.I need to get out of here to gather my thoughts. Head back to my new apartment and…
“It’s time to head down to the locker room.” Jobe stands and straightens his designer tie. No one wears a suit like the Hendricks brothers, not even the governor of the Stingers. “Thank you to everyone who came to welcome Brandon. We don’t need a parade to show him his new jersey.”
Jobe holds out a hand. “Lead the way.”
“I’m sensing tension,” Ewan murmurs.
