But I’ll do everything in my power to win it. And I meant what I told Tripp yesterday. So long as the Fireballs treat me well, I’ll stay here.
I’ll put the team first.
So me not doing relationships isn’t only because I don’t think a man exists who can supplement my life instead of sucking it away. It’s also that I don’t think I can be an equal partner.
My job isn’t a job. It’s a lifestyle.
Duncan’s staring at my mouth.
I bolt to my feet, my thighs unexpectedly shaky. “I have to get back to work. I hope you find what you’re looking for in retirement. And I’m glad you’re okay.”
His gaze lifts back to my eyes. “I’ll find it,” he says.
My brain hearsI’ve already found you.
This is when I should walk out of this stadium, cross the street to the admin building, hit the elevator for the top floor, and go tell Trippabsolutely not.
That I’m done with this specific Fireballs-Thrusters community outreach program.
“Do you need help finding your way out?” I ask Duncan.
He leans back in the stadium seat, then stretches his long legs out and crosses his ankles over the seat in front of him. “I can manage.”
“Do you need more water?”
He lifts the bottle of sports drink and shakes it. “All good.”
“You’re just going to stay here?”
“Pretty day to stare at a ball field.”
I blow out a short breath.
He’s up to something.
I don’t dislike it as much as I need to. “I’ll let security know you’re still here so they don’t freak out on you. And they’ll want to escort you to your car. Liability. That’s all.”
“You really have work to do, or are you running away?”
I’m running away, but I’m calling it a strategic retreat to evaluate and regroup. “I always have work to do.”
“No game two weeks from this coming Thursday,” he says.
I blink.
“Great day forCroaking Creatures,” he adds.
Fuck me.
I owe him a date.
“Fantastic,” I say.
“Looking forward to it.”
“Same.”
He studies me, lips barely twitched up, the tilt of his brows telling me the man has ulterior motives.
