He sighs, and the sound is almost sad. I look up at him. “Are you okay?”
He looks at me for a long moment. “I have become very fond of this little town. And I have a feeling there’s a lot more to learn about it.”
I nod. “All of the holidays are a big deal here. Just wait for Halloween. AndChristmas. We do an annual Christmas competition in town called Merry Mayhem. It’s three days long and involves an obstacle course, a relay race, and several other little contests. It’s a ton of fun.”
He blows out a breath. “I need to tell you something.”
My smile immediately dies. His tone of voice and expression both tell me that I’m not going to like whatever this is. I turn on the bench to face him, pulling one leg up and tucking it under the other.
“What happened?”
“Declan called me last night. While I was with you. Several times. I only had a chance to talk to him this morning.”
I reach out and rest my hand on his arm. His muscles bunch under my touch. “What’s going on?”
“One of the assistant coaches for the Grays was arrested last night.”
I can feel my eyes go wide. “Arrested?”
“Yeah. By the FBI.”
“Oh…wow.”
“He was involved in a huge sports gambling ring. There are people from a lot of sports involved. It’s kind of shaking up professional sports.”
I nod. “I can imagine. I’m sure Declan’s pretty pissed.”
“Very. And worried about the team.”
“Understandable.”
“Their opening game is on Thursday.”
And I instantly know what’s happening. “And he offered you the job,” I say, without adding a question mark.
Alex rubs his palms up and down his thighs. “Yes. Not only am I able to step in immediately, but he thinks it will help calm the players and the fans. And it will give the press something else to talk about. I know the playbook, all the players, the other coaches. It would be a very easy transition.”
My heart is kicking against my ribs so hard it hurts. My head feels a little dizzy. My stomach is in a knot. But still I say, “That makes sense.” Because it does. Of course, Declan needs Alex to come back. “When do you need to leave?” I ask, happy that my voice wavers only slightly.
He looks genuinely torn up as he meets my gaze. “This afternoon.”
I feel like he just reached into my chest, grabbed my heart, and squeezed.
I try to take a deep breath, but can’t force air into my lungs because my chest is too tight.
“Oh,” is all I can manage.
“I’m so fucking sorry, Wildflower,” he says, his shoulders slumping. “We were supposed to have more time.”
He’s going to miss the Revelers’ first game, too. Opening night is Friday.
I don’t know what to say or do. I want to tell him that I’m falling for him. But that isn’t fair. And what good would that do anyway?
“This is what you wanted,” I tell him. “It’s what you were hoping for. It’s good that it’s happening even sooner, isn’t it?”
He drags in a deep breath. “It doesn’t feel good.”
“It’s still sinking in,” I tell him. “As soon as you’re back in Portland, it will all feel… perfect.”
