Zhuri
I’m not even sure we have careers anymore…
I’ve never been this fucking nervous.
My career has never been on the line, but I’m more concerned about Zhuri’s. Whatever happens in this meeting, I have to do everything possible to keep her on the team.
She’s one of the best players in the league, and I’ll be damned if she loses that over me.
“You ready?”
“Fuck no,” I breathe, “but we have to get this over with.”
We decided that a meeting when our fates are up in the air meant dressing nicely, hoping that it would help us with our case. I went for a black suit and a white button-down with no tie.Zhuri’s deep green dress is skin-tight with thin straps, and she looks fucking divine.
At the end of all this, I’ll still have her. Nothing else matters as long as I get to keep Zhuri by my side.
She gives my hand a light squeeze. “We can do this. I love you, Cam.”
“I love you, too, Z.”
I take a deep breath before knocking on the heavy oak door in front of me.
“Come in,” Sean says flatly from the other side.
I feel like I could crawl out of my skin right now, but I trudge forward anyway.
Zhuri and I walk in beside each other as five sets of eyes watch us—Sean, Marissa, Nils, Patrick, and Melanie.
“Shut the door behind you.”
When the door clicks, we look for open seats, and I’m surprised to find the only open spots are next to each other.
Sean points at them. “Sit. I can’t imagine you two would have a problem being close to each other.”
I’ve always known Sean to be kind and friendly. This current attitude is new, and I really don’t like being on the receiving end of it.
Zhuri and I take the open seats next to our coaches and agents.
“Good morning, Mr. Eckhart,” Zhuri says nervously.
Sean peers at us over the rims of his glasses, but doesn’t correct her by telling Zhuri to call him Sean.
We’re so fucking screwed.
The silence is deafening for the next few moments before Sean lets out an exasperated sigh. “Before any discussions get started, I need you two to explain yourselves.” He grabs his phone to show us the picture he received last night. “What is this?”
“I’m not sure it really needs an explanation,” I reply, warily meeting his eyes. “It’s exactly what it looks like.”
Sean pinches the bridge of his nose. “What is going on between my co-captains?”
Zhuri clears her throat, trying to keep her composure. “Cameron and I are… dating.”
“How long?”
“Since last month,” I answer. “We didn’t intend for that to get out.”
“Considering it’s against your contracts, I’m sure you didn’t.” Sean turns his attention to our coaches. “These two are on the same line. How have they been playing together?”
