“Evening, Coach,” I managed, my pulse still trying to level out.
Coach Knox nodded at us. “Good to see you both.”
I brought the champagne glass to my lips, just to feel something cool against them. Within the next few hours, I’dhave to make sure I only had one of these. To loosen my nerves. Not enough to lower my inhibitions.
We spoke with our coaches for a few minutes. Enjoying light conversation and surface-level updates. Connor brought out the charm I’d seen him wield in college, winning over professors. But this time, it looked more genuine. He asked smart questions, remembered details about Coach Emery that only few knew. When he asked how her father was doing, somehow knowing he’s in a care home across the city, my brow furrowed. If she’d told him about that, it’d meant she’d likely had other conversations with him, and she trusted him to know. And worse of all was that he didn’t seem to be performing; he listened and didn’t pay anyone else attention until she was finished talking. It was yet another polarizing side to Connor that I hadn’t seen before. For a second, I felt like an outsider.
A chime sounded across the terrace as a staff member stepped forward near the glass partition. “Ladies and gentlemen, dinner will be served in the east room. Please make your way through.”
Right. Round two.
We followed the flow of people toward an adjoining room separated by a set of large sliding doors that had been pulled open. The dining room was even more elaborate—long tables set with white linen, candles flickering in gold holders, menus printed on heavy stock paper with embossed lettering.
Everything about the space screamed money, and that was something that meant nothing to me, but everything to my gender and the future of my career.
So, I knew I could do this. Iwoulddo this.
I barely had time to breathe in the shift when a man stepped directly into my path.
“Teddy Sloane?” he asked. “I’d hoped to meet you tonight.”
The man extended a hand. He was an older—sixties, maybe—with a navy suit that probably cost more than my entire playingkit. “Gregory Talbot. My company is sponsoring part of the facilities renovation.”
Great. One of the heavy hitters. I remembered his name from the list of people here tonight. Even cross-referenced their previous investments to see who had worked together before. But knowing who they were on paper was less daunting than being up close and personal with them, feeling the weight of everything they controlled.
If one of the investors didn’t like me tonight, there was always a chance that they’d pull out and we’d lose funding. Of course that could then snowball into sponsorships with brands, media—the list is long. So prepping was necessary, even if fear still coiled under my ribs. Charm wasn’t my strong suit, leadership was. So that’s what I had to show them tonight.
I smoothed my expression. “Nice to meet you,” I said, taking his hand. His grip was warm, firm, confident.
“We’ve been following your career.” He continued, stepping slightly to the side to walk with him, pushing Connor ahead of us. “You’ve made quite the name for yourself.”
Compliments always made me a little uncomfortable—Connor’s still felt like a ball to the head—but I kept my response even.
“Thank you. It’s been an exciting few years.”
“Certainly looks that way.” He chuckled. “Though I imagine sharing training space with the Knights must be… interesting.”
I smiled politely. “It’s been an adjustment, but we’re adapting well. Both teams have a lot to gain from learning to operate closely.”
His gaze narrowed. “Not too closely, I hope. We wouldn’t want distractions.”
My mouth opened and closed as my brain caught up with what he was insinuating. Sweat coated my palms as I thought of an appropriate response that wouldn’t get me in a metaphorical sinbin situation. “Mr. Talbot,” I began. “I can assure you my team is focused on winning this season and that is their only goal.”
He nodded thoughtfully, and my stomach pinched. “I’m glad to hear that,” he said. “Focus is a valuable commodity these days. Hard to maintain.”
I kept my shoulders squared, my face politely neutral, even as the implication scraped the inside of my chest. He didn’t know us well enough. Didn’t know the hours my girls put in or the sacrifices we made to stay competitive in a world that barely treated us like professionals.
But tonight wasn’t the place for that particular narrative.
Tonight was about being steady and capable. Being someone he could trust with the resources he controlled. So I held his gaze and said, “Discipline is something we pride ourselves on.”
He hummed, considering my statement. Then offered another nod. “Well, I look forward to seeing how far you can go.”
Just as I opened my mouth to speak, Connor reappeared at my side, too close to go unnoticed. Talbot’s attention flicked immediately toward him, his smile broadening. “Connor. Good to see you, again. How is that team of yours?”
My lips pressed together, but I tried not to let the fact that he wasn’t greeted with the scrutiny I’d endured seconds ago bother me.
He clasped Mr. Talbot’s hand with easy confidence. “Good to see you, sir. The team is settling into the new arrangement with the Valkyries.”
