“Don’t worry about remembering everyone’s names,” Chloe says in my ear. “No one expects you to memorize them in one night.”
“The women I can remember, it’s the kids that are all starting to blur together.”
She laughs. “So many kids. I get them mixed up too and I’ve been here almost since day one.”
“What happens in the lounge? Is it just chaos?”
“Pretty much. Everyone is waiting for their husband or boyfriend. Kids running around. Sometimes plans are being made to go out to eat. Probably not tonight, though, since they’re leaving on a road trip tomorrow.”
I sigh. I’m not looking forward to him being gone again but I’m going to have to get used to it. If we’re going to be together, and I want that more than anything, this is going to be my life going forward.
It’s just a matter of figuring out how I fit in—both with him and with the organization.
Chapter 20
Jordan
If I thought there would be blowback from having Victoria in the family lounge, I would have been wrong. Coach Petrov was busy with the press so he didn’t even make an appearance, and he’s the only one other than Jude and Vaughn who might remember Victoria. And they seem fine with her. At least they’ve been polite.
Vaughn is our team captain so he holds some power within the organization and I inadvertently tense up when he sinks down next to me on the flight to Chicago.
“Hey.” I glance over at him trying to act casually.
He smirks, like he knows what I’m thinking.
“What?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
“When did this thing with Victoria happen?”
“Recently.” I’m nervous but I can’t let it show so I meet his gaze directly. “Is it going to be a problem, Cap?”
He shrugs. “You tell me.”
“Well, not for me but I know how everyone feels about her.”
“Truthfully, I don’t think anyone feels any way in particular about her. Juliet really liked her, and Jude and Chloe like her too, so the only issue now is how much drama is this going to bring to your life?”
I sigh, reality setting in harder than I’d like. “I don’t know. Maybe a little. I don’t think her dad is going to like me any better now than he did four years ago.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“But she’s twenty-two now, about to graduate college. She’s not a child and neither am I. I’m crazy about her and plan to let her parents know it. We’re trying to go slow this time, instead of letting love and hormones replace common sense.”
“That’s a good plan.” He pauses. “I just don’t want you to get hurt, buddy.”
“I know. And I appreciate it. But it’s not like last time. We didn’t know what we were doing four years ago.”
“And you’re ready now? It’s a big step, Jordan, and you’re still young. Twenty-three is older than nineteen but it’s still young.”
“With her, I’m absolutely ready.”
He nods. “All right then. I look forward to getting to know her.”
“That’s it?” I ask dubiously.
“I’m neither your father nor your boss. I’m just a friend looking out for you. I watched you spiral when you lost her the first time and?—”
“The only time,” I interrupt. “I lost her once. I won’t lose her again. Not unless we come to a mutual understanding, that maybe we don’t feel like I think we feel.”
