“I, uh, I haven't tried it on yet.” I shoot her a pointed look to shut up.
“I’m sure they'll do just fine.” Tate draws out, amusement lacing his tone. When my head whips to his, mortified, I notice him smirking behind his own glass.
I hold my cheeks in my hands trying to hide the blush. Not that I'm embarrassed or demure, but because I was shocked to find that he really was that big. I thought Emalyn was exaggerating when she over shared details of her escapades. Even if he hadn’t already taken care of me first, I wasn’t sure that was a ride I was ready to ride.
Tate chuckles and pulls my hands away from my cheeks. He keeps a hold of one and gives a gentle squeeze.
“Don’t hide that pretty blush from me, Alli baby.” He murmurs.
“Ugh, you guys are so fucking cute.” Emalyn sips her wine. “You’re making me feel my singleness.”
“I told you, I’m here when you’re ready, Em.” Ronan's voice comes from behind us. She rolls her eyes but still leans into him.
My chest doesn’t ache like it usually does when I’m around their easy, undefined love.
How could it, when Tate wraps an arm around me to pull me closer?
I’m just about to relax into his side when my boss, Andrew walks in. His eyes leisurely scan the bar.
My spine snaps straight. Tate must notice the change in me, because he withdraws his arm. He glances at me as he picks up his glass and takes a drink. He doesn’t comment on it.
Andrew stops by our table.
“Allison. Emalyn.” He gives us each a nod of his head. We plaster on polite smiles.
“Andrew.”
“Great post-game interview tonight. As always.” He tapped his knuckles on the tabletop. “Would you mind if we spoke in private for a minute?”
Emalyn meets my eyes, looking as worried as I feel.
Tate gives my knee a squeeze under the table, eyes searching mine in question. I give him a little nod and follow Andrew to the bar.
My heart pounds in my chest. Did someone say something? Oh God, someone must’ve seen us coming out of the supply closet. He’s going to think I'm a jersey chaser not equipped to handle my job let alone a promotion.
He gestures to the seat beside him. I take it, not realizing I was just standing here like a deer in headlights when I haven’ttechnicallydone anything wrong. Tate and I aren’t each other's direct supervisor, so we aren’t technically breaking any rule.
“Allison, I won’t beat around the bush. I’ve got some news you’re going to need to hear.”
Chapter 27 -Tate
“Dude, calm down. Your eye lasers are gonna burn through the back of his head any second now.” Roman says before he pulls Emalyn’s chair closer to himself and stretches an arm along the back of her chair. She feeds him a loaded nacho.
Not that I'm watching their little dance. I just have a perfect view of Allison at the bar behind their heads. I’m not possessive…but I hate the hand Andrew lays on her shoulder. When she grins back at him and they hug, I hear the disapproving grumble that rises in my chest.
“Ah, shit. Is he about to turn into the terminator?” Ryan quips. I roll my eyes but ignore him. I vaguely hear the teasing, but I only have eyes for the little blonde making her way to me from the bar, a sun melting smile on her face. Andrew gives a general wave to the players as he exits.
I stand as she makes it to the table. She bounces on her toes as she glances over her shoulder.
“Well? What’d he say?” Emalyn presses. Allison’s face is flushed as she squeals and throws her arms up. “I’m getting the promotion!”
Everyone at the table cheers and whoops. I wrap an arm around her waist and spin her around.
“Hell yea, baby!”
Her head tilts back on a carefree laugh. My arm wraps around her and crushes her to my side as we sit and fall into our seats.
When we look away from each other, it hits me.
