Chapter Thirty-Seven
MORGAN
“It’s kind of funny how you keep insisting you can’t travel with the team, yet you keep showing up,” AJ says with a small smile.
I set my glass on the bar top on the Club Level in the Dallas arena, and level her with a look. “Becauseyoukeep asking me to.”
“Morgan.” Her tone is the kind you use when admonishing a child. “Is that really what you’re going with?”
I’m not sure how to respond to that, so I just lift an eyebrow.
“I’ve watched you handle PR nightmares with poise and talk hockey players down mid-fight. You arenota person who does things she doesn’t want to do.”
My laugh is sharp, and my shoulders shake visibly, even through the Rebels quarter-zip sweater I’m wearing, drawing the attention of a guy sitting on the barstool just beyond AJ. He gives me a nod, which I politely return, and refocus my attention on AJ. But not before she notices and turns to see who I’m nodding at. Then she turns back and mouthes, “He’s cute.”
“The problem is...” I drop my voice so no one hears me—not that it should matter. We’re in Dallas having a quick pregamechat, so it’s not like I know anyone here. “. . . when people need me, I’m not so good at saying no.”
It’s why I watched Lauren’s twins so often when we first moved back to Boston, why I took over the social media accounts for Jules and Audrey’s business and helped them get their nonprofit started, why I worked with AJ and McCabe as they navigated the PR nightmare they found themselves in when their relationship was exposed. And why I flew out to LA to help Luke and Eva concoct a believable story about their sudden marriage, and then helped Luke create the nursery of his wife’s dreams when Eva was hospitalized.
Sometimes, I get tired just thinking about all the ways I overcommit myself. It’s not that I’ve minded doinganyof these things. It’s that I generally say yes because I have this perpetual need to make sure everyone around me is happy and cared for. Recognizing that this sometimes comes at the expense of my own time or well-being often comes after the fact, but I really am trying to be more mindful of it.
“And you’resureit’s not because you like the job? Like, you wouldn’t be interested in doing this full time?”
I’ve always known Tatum was coming back after her surgery, so the thought of this turning into something permanent hadn’t occurred to me before. “What about Tatum?”
“What about her?”
“Are you offering me her job?”
AJ’s rumble of laughter is deep. “I think her job is a bit beneath your skillset, Morgan.”
“Ironic, since I’m doing her job right now. So, what are you suggesting?”
“Nothing immediately. But our Director of Public Relations is going to be moving to San Francisco. His wife just finished her residency at Children’s Hospital in Boston and was recently offered a position out in California, starting in December. I’mjust putting the idea out there, letting you know that the position will be opening up, and I’m always looking for motivated and competent people to join our team.”
I wonder if she’d be interested in hiring me full-time if she knew about my relationship with Aidan? I’m tempted to ask her advice here, but before I can give the idea serious thought, the guy on the other side of her stands and pushes his barstool in. The scrape of the legs against the floor distracts me as he steps up next to AJ.
“Forgive me for interrupting,” he says, speaking directly to me. His light hair is thick and his brown eyes are deep pools of chocolate. “And for being so bold. But, I’m just wondering if you’d be interested in grabbing a drink sometime?”
I’m so stunned he’s asking, that my lips part but no sound comes out. Then AJ laughs and says, “We’re actually from Boston.”
“Me too. I’m a Rebels season ticket holder, so... I know who you are,” he says directly to AJ. Then he turns toward me. “I’m actually here for the bachelor party of a friend from grad school. We’re going out after the game...”
“We’ll be at The Lamppost,” AJ says, “hopefully celebrating a win. You should stop by.”
He lets out a short laugh. “I’m pretty sure my friends will be wasted by the end of the game, so I’m not sure I’d want to subject you ladies to them.” He refocuses his gaze on me. “But, maybe after the next home game instead?”
I nod because I’m so conflicted I can’t seem to speak. Aidan told me I should be open to seeing other people, and here’s a cute guy asking me out. He seems polite and respectful. I’d be a fool to say no, wouldn’t I?
“Yeah, that sounds good,” I say, wondering why this all feels so wrong, why I only want Aidan.You want him because you know you can’t have him,I tell myself.Going after the guy whowantsmebut doesn’t want acommitmentseems to be my MO, after all. This could be a chance to break that pattern.
He smiles, and his confidence shines through. “Great. I’m Sean, by the way. You want to text me so I have your number?”
“I’m Morgan. And sure,” I say, picking up my phone and typing in the number he gives me. I shoot him a text with my name, and his phone buzzes in his pocket.
“Perfect. I’ll be in touch, Morgan. Maybe I’ll even see you at The Lamppost tonight if my friends can behave themselves long enough to stop by and say hello.”
Holy shit.Him showing up at the bar tonight while Aidan is there is a recipe for disaster. I think I may be sick. In fact, I just might make myself sick so I don’t find myself at the bar with both of them.
