Talbot laughed. “I knew your team would handle the challenge well.”
My jaw flexed at that, too. Logically, I knew that Connor’s team had been in the professional league for longer than ours. I knew that it wasn’t a personal attack. But none of that changed the fact that my relevance in this conversation had thinned to a polite shadow despite us earning the right to be here. We werethe ones who were housing the men’s team and saving their asses. The new stadium was funded for us. Funny how quickly that had been forgotten.
“Well, send my regards to your team. I have every faith in you,” Talbot said, already moving toward the tables, not personally dismissing me. He left us, but Connor didn’t move.
“I don’t need a babysitter,” I said, keeping my eyes trained ahead.
“Good thing I’m not offering.”
Frustration fizzled under my skin, making it bubble. At least that’s what I told myself it was as I turned to whisper into his ear. “I don’t need you to save me, speak for me, or try to gain favor in conversations that are important for me and my team.”
He didn’t flinch. If anything, the space between us narrowed. “That’s not what I was doing, sunshine. Why? Did he—Did he say something to upset you?”
I ignored the latter. “I’m not your—” I sniped, but stopped myself, blowing air out of my nose. “Don’t distract me.”
He turned to move in front of me, his back to the room but facing me, stealing all my air. My body tensed as he swept his eyes all over my face. “I didn’t realize you were so easily distracted.”
Willing the frustration to simmer down, I pressed my tongue to the back of my teeth. “I’m not.”
The air felt hot and thick again, swirling between us like a tornado, just like it had in the elevator earlier.
His head dipped, his breath tickling my lips. “I was only making sure he was on his best behavior. I don’t want you to feel like you—” He shook his head. “I know this crowd. I can help you handle them.”
I lifted my chin. “I’m capable of handling these men.”
“Yes, but—”
“But nothing,” I interrupted. “I’ve got this.” Fire rolled in my chest. I was being unreasonable, and there was some misdirected anger toward him, as well as how easily he was flustering me tonight. I’d pendulum swung from turned on to angry and back more times than I cared to admit. At this rate, I’d need to step outside for a minute of peace.
But first, I had to make it through this dinner.
18
Connor
Dinner was fine.
Well, fine in the sense that there was no drama, and Teddy didn’t stab me with her fork. A win in my eyes.
But it was also clear she wasn’t quite herself. She barely touched her food. I kept half my attention on the conversations around us and the other half on her. Still, I couldn’t help but notice how often she stiffened, how often she deflected, how often she swallowed words I knew she wanted to say out loud.
When dessert was cleared, staff opened the terrace doors and encouraged everyone to stretch their legs, mingle, and enjoy a drink. The room relaxed instantly. Jackets unbuttoned. Voices loosened. People spread into smaller groups near tall standing tables overlooking the bay.
But Teddy slipped away the moment we were released, stopping at a table near Coach Emery. I didn’t blame her; these types of events were tough, and she’d have to endure a few more characters in the room tonight who were Knight supporters. I’d heard everything Talbot said to her earlier, and I’m not sure ifme stepping in made it worse or not, but I was prepared to either way.
I moved through the crowd until I spotted someone worth talking to. RichardHale was near the railing, always in the center of a small orbit of people, always in demand. But he waved me over the moment our eyes met. Former player. Now a high-level investor with a reputation for actually giving a shit about grassroots sports.
“Connor,” he greeted, shaking my hand with genuine warmth. “You surviving?”
“Tonight has been great so far,” I said, even though all we’d done was eat.Thiswas the important part.
He chuckled. “I’m too old to pretend these dinners are fun.”
Smirking, I grabbed a short glass of water from the high table between us and downed it.
Richard turned slightly to give me his full attention. “I’ve heard there’s interest from Ireland,” he said.
I exhaled slowly. I wasn’t surprised he knew, considering he was a very well-connected man. “Yeah. Nothing’s set in stone yet.”
