“Apparently, that guy Frankie—Frank DeLuca—has deep pockets. He sees the growing market of the PEW and wants to be a part of it,” Dave says, smiling.
“We are already in talks about potential locations to build another training facility. Once that’s settled, it’d be great to have athletes in there, training, by next summer,” Mitch says excitedly.
This is amazing. The best news possible. I could move to Paramount for work! Jon and I just need to stick it out for about a year. We can do it. I hope he’s willing to do it. Then, a sudden twisting and churning feeling hits me in the gut.
“So, how will you decide who gets to train in Paramount? And, ifIwanted the option, would I be considered? You know, considering the trouble I got into down there?” I ask nervously, already preparing to hear soul-crushing news.
“Don’t worry about that Strickland guy,” Ashleigh says, tapping her shoulder into mine. “I did some digging into that boy’s past, and he’s not exactly a ‘model citizen.’ Appears hisdaddybails him out of all kinds of trouble.Plus, the legal team here got a very interesting e-mail from a Miss…” Ashleigh pauses, pulling up the e-mail on her phone. “Zoey Gallagher. She said she was at the bar that evening, and can corroborate your story, that Bryce Strickland was being inappropriate and attempting to assault her friend, who is also willing to go on the record if we need her to. So, you won’t be getting any more problems from that family. I promise.”
Again, I’m speechless. Is this my life right now? I need to call Zoey and thank her. She didn’t have to do that. I guess I really underestimated her, and how much she really wants to make things right between us. I was starting to see why Jacky likes her so much, and I’m starting to realize how awesome of a person she can be. Especially when she’s in your corner, fightingforyou.
“So, with that conflict no longer looming, we would give priority of choice to athletes with permanent contracts,” Dave says.
“Oh. Yea. Sure. That makes total sense,” I relent. I have hopes of getting offered a full contract after this season wraps up, but who knows? There are a lot of talented athletes and only so many spots.
Dahlia nudges me with her foot, trying to be discreet. I look over at her and she’s still looking forward to the directors, but I notice one of her hands is behind her back and she’s pointing her thumb upwards.Does that mean? OH. MY. GOD!!!!
“Alright. We’ll make a formal announcement about the new training facility once we get an actual location identified and Frankie signs off on his portion of the expected costs. You’ve helped create a lot of great change for the organization, Margeaux. Whatever happens after this season wraps up, you should be really happy with what you have done,” Dave says, doing his best to look stoic, and not give anything away.
I nod, worried if I speak, I’ll say something stupid.
Mitch isn’t as subtle. “We look forward to seeing a lot more of you, Margeaux. Hope you’re ready for that.” He gives me a half-smirk.
I take that as my exit cue because I cannot handle more good news right now. I’m practically jumping with energy, forgetting how tired I was just minutes ago.
“Alright. Think you’ve earned the rest of the day off,” Dahlia says, giving me a big hug. She’s like the older sister I never had. I give her a big hug back, knowing she can handle all the strength I’m putting into it. “You better be ready to hit the ring hard tomorrow. The final showdown match is coming up, and we need to make sure you and all the girls are ready.
I say goodbye to her and Ashleigh, who hustles to the parking lot to drive back to her office. I swear, that woman never stops. I think she’d go even crazier if her day wasn’t busy. It’s like she’s an adrenaline junkie, and a jam-packed calendar is her equivalent to bungee jumping.
I dig in my bag as I stride over to my car. The list of names I need to call is so long right now. I can’t remember the last time I had this many people I wanted to reach out to and share news about my life. I want to call Jacky and tell him that I made it back safely and that I’m ready to hit the ground running with training. I want to call Zoey and thank her for reaching out to my legal team and coming to my defense. I want to call Jazz and tell her that I’ve gotten everything but written notice that I’m getting a permanent contract. I even want to call Mom and Dad and just say hi. Spending a couple of days with them has me missing them a little. My fingers have decided for me and Jon’s name is already lighting up my screen.
He ignores my voice call and calls me back with a video chat request. I accept immediately.
“There’s that beautiful face,” he says, smiling as he paces through the hospital. Blushing. This guy has me blushing. I’m so smitten for Doc.
“Looks like you’re busy at work,” I say, needing to take the attention off me.
“Not too busy to say hi to you.” Fuck. He’s such a dorky, but smooth talker. It’s got my heart doing somersaults.
I manage to gather my thoughts and remember why I called him. “Do you have a few minutes to chat? I have news.”
I watch the background shift from the hospital to the main street the hospital is on. He takes a seat on a dark green bench beside an apple tree. A ripe, red apple dangles above him. I roll my eyes at the kookiness that is Paramount.
“What’s the news, Beautiful?”
40
JON
One MonthLater
Frankie, the owner of Frankie’s Gym in Paramount, already created a social media page to document the progress of the new PEW training facility. As the primary local investor, he’s adamant about being transparent of the build, and how it will help Paramount grow.
I send Margeaux the most recent video Frankie filmed of an excavator moving dirt from one spot to another. Before I can pocket my phone, it’s lighting up with a string of sexy texts.
Beautiful <3: I’m feeling a little dirty this morning, Doc.
Never more thankful to have an evening shift at the hospital, I roll onto my back, giving my firming dick a slow rub.
