“Let’s go, boys,” he says, standing and leading the way out of the conference room.
I feel like I’m somehow five years old again and I’m following my father into school. But this time it’s him winding through the halls of the Blaze as we head out to announce his latest business venture. Drew and I follow him like the dutiful sons that we are, neither one of us saying a word.
Before we breach the front doors of the Blaze, Cindy turns to the three of us. “You’ll all walk out there. Boys, make sure to stand on either side of your father. Maxwell, I’ll introduce you and let the folks know why they are here, and then we can get your announcement. Would you like me to choose the reporters that get to ask you the questions?”
He nods. “I think that would be perfect. Thank you, Cindy, for organizing this for me. You truly are a treasure,” he says,grinning at her. I fight the urge to remind him that she’s the Blaze PR manager and not his own personal one, but I choose to remain quiet.
“Of course. Let’s get this show on the road.” Without a word to Drew and me, she opens the doors, and the sounds of cameras flashing and reporters calling out to my father begin. I do just as Cindy asks and stand next to my father, although I take one step backward because I know how he feels about sharing the spotlight.
“Good afternoon, everyone. I am thrilled that you came out here to hear about the newest endeavor of the Cromwell family. It’s truly exciting. We’ve had some great success here, between moving the Marlins to Tampa with my son Drew and starting the NWSL team you know and love as the Tampa Bay Blaze under the watchful eye of my son August. And now we decided that we need to keep the dynasty rolling and start a WNBA team here in Tampa as well.” He pauses for dramatic effect, and I hear the applause from the press and the Tampa Bay Blaze players who have gathered in the back.
I can’t see Hendrix, but I can feel her eyes on me. I stand there dutifully and keep my eyes forward. Not really focusing on any of them. Making sure that I look proud to be a Cromwell.
“My son August will be taking on the WNBA team that we have decided to call the Tampa Lightning!” he announces, raising his hands above his head as he takes in the applause.
I do my best to breathe in and out upon hearing him announce my name as the owner.That hasn’t been decided yet,I say to myself. I can feel her staring hard at me.
Fuck. This is going to cause some problems for me. The Cromwell dynasty always does.
Chapter Twenty-Three
~HENDRIX~
“My son August will be taking on the WNBA team that we have decided to call the Tampa Lightning!”
I keep on hearing the words over and over in my head. That and the sound of blood whooshing in my ears.
“August is leaving us?” Mac asks from my side.
“I… I have no idea.” I stammer out. “I had no idea this was even being announced today.”
She watches me for a beat before asking, “Are you okay?”
I don’t know what to say to that. Am I okay? Will I be alright if he leaves us for the Tampa Lightning? How long has he known that this was happening? Did he know last night when he took me to the game? Is that why he did it? So many questions flow through my mind. I hear Cassie saying something, but I can’t focus on the words that she is saying.
“I’m sorry, what?”
I feel her do her best to pull me in for a side hug. “It’s going to be okay. Maybe he did this so that he could still date you. Maybe it’s too hard for him to date you while you’re working for the Blaze and so is he.”
I can hear the positivity in her voice, like she’s trying to keep me from going over the deep end. But it’s not going to work.
“I just want to get into the locker room and get showered off so that I can go home,” I tell them, making way out the back door and towards our locker rooms. “I’m shocked that he was okay with the players walking into his press conference,” I call over my shoulder, wishing that August and his family could hear me right now.
“I have a feeling that this was all Maxwell,” Mac says, jogging to catch up with me. “It doesn’t look like August is a part of the press conference other than being ornamental.”
I look back at him standing there, ramrod straight, looking forward with no expression on his face. I can’t even tell if he is focusing on any of the press or if he’s even listening. But he doesn’t have any life in his stance. I consider that Mac might be right, but either way it doesn’t change the thoughts that are running through my head right now.
“Before you spend your normal twenty-minute shower wallowing and then waiting around to see if he comes to find you, what if we all head out to the beach? Grab some smoothies, do some window shopping? Could be fun?” Cassie says, grinning at me, like she’s praying that I’ll take her up on it.
I already know that I won’t, I just want to be alone right now.
“Nah, I have a shower in my future and then I plan on heading home to spend some time with Ash,” I lie easily, hoping that they buy it. I can tell by the way that Cassie and Mac are staring at me that they are not. But I just keep on pushing through. “We’ll see each other at the bar tonight,” I remind them.
“Yeah, we sure will. I just hope you don’t spiral too much by then,” Mac says, placing her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t charge him until you know exactly what he’s done. He’s not abandoning you again, Hen. This isn’t college.”
“Right,” I make my way into the locker room, head down, doing my best to distance myself from the spectacle behind me.
I’m alone in the locker room when I hear the door open.
