“She isn’t going to stay,” I tell her with a firm look.
I want to say more. I want to tell her that maybe we can arrange for her to visit Jordan, or for Jordan to come by, but I don’t want to get Bea’s hopes up for something that might not happen.
Her expression falls, and I hate myself.
It’s the fucking hardest part of parenting, that I want to prevent my child from experiencing any pain in this unforgiving world. Andyet, it’s part of life. And it’s my duty to teach Bea who to trust and who not to trust.
“Maybe we can go to the music store tomorrow and look at the guitars,” I say, and she lights up.
That evening before the game, my phone buzzes with an incoming text.
It’s from my brother, Noah. A screenshot of some picture on social media from the charity event the team went to right after Jordan joined. In the photo, we’re on the red carpet. I’m looking down at her with a tilt to my mouth and a warmth in my eyes, and she’s smiling a little, like she’s trying not to. Looking fucking lovely in that red dress.
Who’s this???Noah asks.She’s cute.
A sharp stab hits me in the gut.My colleague,I respond.
Never seen you look at a ‘colleague’ like that before,Noah texts with a wink, and I sigh.
I know, and that’s the problem.
CHAPTER 44
JORDAN
A week later,I walk into the presentation room where we show the players game tape that the analysts and video coach pull in preparation for games.
Tate’s not here yet, thank god.
It’s never going to happen,he said about being attracted to me. It’s been seven days of avoiding him, and I still feel the hot sear of mortification, thinking about it.
“J-dawg.” Luca waves me over. “Right here. Got an open seat with your name on it.”
“You’re chipper this morning,” I tell him, dropping into the chair.
“I heard you’re looking at one of my buddies for the team, Colworth.”
A prospect that Tate and I are flying out tomorrow morning to speak with.
“Right.” I study Luca. “I forgot you went to the same university. What do you think of the guy?”
“Great player. Sharp backcheck. Makes one hell of a beergarita.”
My expression falls. “No. The beergarita, Rookie? Really?”
“They’re delicious.”
“They’re disgusting.” A sickly-sweet concoction of frozen limeademix, Corona beer, and tequila. I turn back to the screen. “And if you ever order one in my bar, I’ll throw you out.”
“You don’t work there anymore.”
“It’s still my bar.”
He chuckles. “Okay, but Colworth is a solid guy, even if he has been in school for like, a decade.”
Seven years, but I didn’t mention that part to Tate when suggesting him.
“Super loyal and will do anything for his team, you know?”
