By the time I finish everything I need to do, Ethan is waiting shirtless in my bed, looking uncomfortable as ever.
I climb under the sheets and rest my head on his chest. While I’m all about respecting boundaries, the wall Ethan has put up is bullshit.
“I’m not going anywhere, Ethan,” I promise him, my eyes getting heavy.
He squeezes my shoulder, but I swear before I fall asleep, I hear him whisper, “That’s what they all say.”
CHAPTER 19
We won the game, thank fuck.
I showered after and put my suit back on and ditched the deodorizers. Owen wasn’t going to be at the event and, to be completely honest, I’m getting tired of wearing them. I have to deal with him being my coach. He can deal with me being myself. I’m not even sure why I’ve been such a stickler about wearing them. I guess I thought I was being considerate to Owen disliking my scent. We’re slowly getting closer, maybe I can really be myself from here on out. Not to mention we’ve been on a winning streak.
Nothing would have been worse to have lost and then have to moderate this fundraising event for Phillip.
He’s a good guy and apparently doing better according to his wife and the head of marketing, Liz.
“This was seriously so kind,” Phillip says as I shake his hand.
“It was Sloane’s idea, but I’m happy to help in any way that I can.”
“We appreciate it. Things are looking better; it’s just the bills have been a lot,” Liz says shyly.
Sloane is panning around the room. We’re on a live feed where fans can donate through a link, not to mention the in-person donors at the event who are donating, myself included.
Most of the team is here, including Bram who follows Sloane with his eyes like some sort of predator.
Ethan is dressed up as Finnegan the Fox as he takes pictures with fans and does some general goofing around.
I’m not sure if I fucked up with him the night we moved his dad’s couch, or maybe something is just wrong with me? Maybe I’m the reason why I can’t hold friendships down because it feels like Ethan and Sloane have been slowly keeping their distance.
I suppose I can’t blame them.
But no matter the internal pity party I’m having, I’m not going to slip up. Not even as a very tall, pretty brunette approaches me with a smile.
“Max Connery, right? You played amazing tonight,” she says, a champagne flute perched between her manicured fingernails.
She’s a Beta as far as I can tell, and a year ago I’d be putting the moves on her like no other in an effort to bring her back to my place.
Even though she’s pretty, and seemingly kind, I find it’s not what I’m looking for.
“Thank you. And thank you for coming out tonight to support Liz and Phillip,” I say.
“It’s so great what you’re doing here. Caring for employees outside the team. I really respect what the Foxes have built in New Haven.”
Suddenly, a small redhead with a phone in her hand is in front of me, giving what seems to be a forced smile to the brunette next to me.
“Mind if I steal Max for a minute? We have some fan questions,” Sloane asks, and the woman nods her agreement as Sloane grabs my wrist and drags me to a quieter corner.
“Who was that?” she asks.
I point down at her phone, and she shrugs.
“It’s on mute for a moment. Sorry. We should answer some of these questions. Are you ready?”
“Did I do something to piss you off?” I ask her, and her cheeks redden.
I’m not sure why she’s feeling embarrassed at the simple question.
