“It’s difficult, sure, but at the end of the day, this is a business. And when it comes down to making trades, in the end, it’s about what’s best for the franchise.”
Lips pressed together, she regards me, her eyes narrowing. But rather than push the issue further, she asks, “How have you adjusted to being the team’s captain this season?”
“I’d like to think I’ve adjusted pretty well.” I chuckle, trying to rein in my relief at the subject change. “I’ve been here for a few years now, and in that time, the team has been through a lot of wins and a lot of losses. Knowing the team and management trust me to lead alongside the coaches is a huge honor.”
“As one of the best teams in your division, the Bobcats will likely be headed to the playoffs. Do you have a strategy or a plan in place?”
“I wouldn’t be a very good captain if I gave away team strategy, now, would I?”
Ella laughs and shoots me a good-natured smile. “No, but you’d be a very good podcast guest.”
The rest of the interview goes off without a hitch, but by the end of it, I know I have to talk to Maya. Soon. If she hears about the trade talks from a podcast rather than from me, she’ll be hurt. And when I tell her the truth behind said rumors? That’ll be even worse.
It’s a lose-lose situation.
I spend my drive home considering how to broach the subject. I’m in such a daze as I trudge up my front steps that I don’t notice Maya bundled up in a jacket, leaning against my door, until I’ve made it to the top.
My steps falter, my heart stuttering. “Maya?”
She holds up a plastic bag, one with the classic smiley face and “Thank you!” printed across it. “I brought dinner.”
I lunge forward and wrap my arms around her waist, peppering her face with kisses. Relief washes over me.God, I’m happy to see her.
Without my permission, my hands travel south and cup her ass.
She squeaks at first, though the sound is followed by an exasperated laugh. “Be careful of the food.”
Oh, right. Releasing her, I take the bag and unlock my front door. “Not that I’m not thrilled you’re here, but I thought you had drinks with your writing class friends.” I guide her through the door, where Goose completely ignores me in favor of bumping into Maya’s legs in greeting.
Well, then.
She massages a spot behind his ear until he’s satisfied, and only then does he make his way toward me.
I crouch and give him the love he’s looking for. “I’m second best now, huh?”
“It’s the nails. They scratch better.” Wiggling her fingers, she shows off her freshly painted nails. “And I did have drinks, but I decided to take a rain check.”
“Why?” I grin. “Because you missed me so much?”
She nods, a flush of self-consciousness blooming across her cheeks. “Yes.”
The honesty of her statement knocks the breath out of me. I cup her cheeks and run my thumb over her plush lower lip. “I’ve missed you, too. And I’m sorry.”
Head tilted, she frowns. “For what?”
“That we haven’t seen each other a ton lately. I didn’t realize how heavily Coach Henderson would lean on me leading into the playoffs. Between the game plans, and?—”
“I wasn’t saying I missed you to make you feel bad.” She brushes her own thumb along my jaw. “I’d never begrudge you for doing your job. And I know how important this season is to you.”
I rest my forehead against hers. “You’re too good for me.”
“Probably,” she agrees, rubbing her nose against mine.
We’re still locked together like that when the familiar smell of garlic, basil, and tomato sauce floats around us, making my stomach rumble. I don’t even have to look in the bags to know that Maya picked up eggplant parmesan, a house salad, and cheesy garlic bread from my favorite Italian restaurant—the same restaurant we got food from on our first date.
“Food first, talk later,” Maya says, pulling away from me. She unpacks the bags and dishes out healthy servings for us both while I pour drinks. Water for me, wine for her.
For the better part of an hour, we talk about what we’ve each been up to over the last few days. We alternate between taking bites of our food and commiserating over annoying customers and teammates with authority issues. After a week filled with action-packed games, long practices, and media interviews, the normalcy of a casual dinner with Maya brings me a sense of comfort greater than I thought possible.
