He winked at me and took the drink Janie handed him. “Busy tonight.”
She worked as she talked. “Yep. And I ain’t complainin’ about it. So.” She paused and took payment from several customers. “You guys up for the benefit?”
I set my bottle on the bar top. “Yep.”
Dev swallowed and nodded. “Yeah. I was thinking raffles—stuff like signed merch and photos, and meet and greets. We might even be able to get some of our buddies from other teams to come if they don’t have commitments.”
Her eyes lit up. “Awesome. When were you thinkin’?”
I met Dev’s eyes. “We’ll have to call everyone and let you know tomorrow or the day after. That okay?”
“Yeah, ’course. Thanks, guys. This is really gonna help. They’ve gotten a lot of newcomers lately and can’t handle the overflow.”
“They need a new building or another one.”
“All it takes is money.” She shrugged, and Dev raised his brows.
“We’ll let you know,” Dev said. We went to grab a table. “Are you thinking what I am?”
I scratched my cheek. “If what you’re gonna say is to buy them another building and renovate it, then yeah.”
“Not only renovate it, but make it a usable place. Swimming pool, a ball field, swings…a whole rec center. And it’ll have the added benefit of creating jobs for the local community.”
I wished I could lean across the table and kiss him. Instead, I smiled. “Yeah. I’m loving it.” I lowered my voice to a whisper. “And you.”
His answering wink was all I needed.
**
Two months later, Dev and I stood before the construction site of the twenty-thousand square-foot vacant warehouse we’d bought. Renovations had started immediately. Inside, the space would be divided into living quarters, several kitchens, and gathering spaces with televisions, video games and computers, a library and playrooms. Outdoors, the landscapers were laying sod on what was planned to be a baseball field, the pool area had been dug, and our foreman was pointing out to the builder where the playground would be located. Forty acres of land gave us a lot to work with.
“Looking awesome, isn’t it?” Dev nudged me and flipped up his sunglasses.
“Incredible how quickly it all came together after the benefit.”
Dante and Lovell had jumped on board and made the trip, but Everett was in Europe, doing a promotional tour. He sent a big check and did a Zoom call with fans. The benefit had raised half a million dollars, mainly because we’d convinced our teams and sponsors that it would be amazing press for them to contribute to such a worthy cause.
It had been great hanging out with the old gang, and though Dev and I had to cool our relationship in front of them, when it was time for them all to leave, I missed them like hell.
My phone buzzed, and Ezra’s name flashed up on the screen. “It’s Ezra. Maybe he’s got some news about a new contract.”
The day after Dev returned from New York, I’d called Ezra and casually mentioned I’d be interested in fielding offers from East Coast teams, specifically the Brooklyn Kings. He didn’t question my change of heart and had been sending me texts of offers from other teams, as well as the Brooklyn Kings.
“Hello? Ezra?”
“It’s me. And as my husband’s grandmother would say, have I got a deal for you.”
With each clause he read to me, my brows rose, until Dev tugged at my arm, hissing, “What? What?”
“Uh…so what do you think, Ezra? It sounds like a win to me.”
“I want to see if they’ll help your mother relocate.”
“That would be great.”
“Yeah. I had a few things to counteroffer them. They’re pretty minor, but I have to make it look like we’re not too eager.”
I chuckled. “I hear ya. Well, I’m on board with it, and you know my buddy is all for it.”
