“It’s simple. Money. My return on investment has gone up since you started implementing your cute little changes.”
Thosecute little changesare responsible for a twenty three percent uptick in fan attendance, a ten percent raise in season pass purchases, and another thirty-four percent increase in food and beverage sales, but sure, cute and little.
“I’m glad you’re finally coming around and seeingmyefforts are what’s best for the team. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
A muscle in his jaw ticks before he schools his features back into neutrality.
Years of working with egotistical men has taught me to never trust their words, but rather, the merit of their actions. While I want to believe he’s here because he wants what is best for our team, I’ll wait to see if his movements reflect his flowery speech.
I’m not going to hold my breath.
“Yes, exactly. Me as well, of course.” His hands are locked behind his hips, and he rocks back and forth on loafer-clad heels while a stiff smile resides on his face.
A pregnant silence fills the room. “Was there anything else I could help you with, Lawrence? I have a meeting in a few minutes.”
My meeting isn’t for another half hour, but somethingabout him being here and the way he’s suddenly flipped a switch is unnerving.
“No, no. I just wanted to come in, apologize, and let you know you’ve got my support.”
“You haven’t, though.”
“Sorry?”
“You haven’t actually apologized.” He looks decidedly uncomfortable as he stares at me. I raise a single eyebrow and wave my hand through the air. “At your leisure.”
Chapman’s eyes flicker with a restrained annoyance that makes me want to laugh because of how clearly painful this is for him.
“I apologize, Miss McKallen. I underestimated you?—”
“And belittled,” I add, because I can’t help myself.
“Yes, that too. I apologize for my maltreatment. We are colleagues, and I hope it can all be water under the bridge from here on out.”
Smiling politely, I say, “It’s buried under the Millennium.”
He wastes no time scampering out of my office, probably off to terrorize whoever he’s cheating on his wife with this week.
I spend the precious few minutes I have before my meeting reviewing new designs for the spring collection, drafting an email to Jaded’s developers on sample changes and call outs in quality control, before opening Instagram so I can schedule my post for upload later in the day.
When I open the app, I’m assaulted by the engagement announcement of my ex-boyfriend and my former assistant. He holds her around her waist, pressing a kiss to her cheek that still somehow keeps his own face forward in the image as she holds her hand out, showing off her ring. It’s beautiful, maybe the one he would have bought for me one day.
I feel nothing but a deep, bone shuddering relief that it’s not me in the photo.
Instead, I have something that feels bigger than the cosmos—someone Ilove, who I’m pretty sure loves me back.
I’m nervous. Why am I nervous?
Checking myself over in the mirror in the adjoining bathroom of my office, I scan the outfit I had delivered at the last minute for tonight's match. The rich burgundy of the two piece suit makes my complexion look warmer, my amber eyes glow brighter, and, quite honestly, it makes me feel like a badass. I love it.
Quickly touching up my makeup and finger combing through my hair, I don my favorite pair of nude pumps and head out towards the VIP section of the stadium for tonight’s match.
The stands are filling as we near the start of the game. Fans are decked out in mock team jerseys and the new Legends-specific graphic tees I designed a few weeks ago, all sporting a pint of the nation’s finest brew, Legends Lager. My spirits lift immensely, seeing the camaraderie of the fans getting excited to come out and watch the boys play.
This is what Tieran needs to see. They’re here to watch them, even if it doesn’t pan out exactly how he wants. Just like I am. It’ll take a lot more than one rough season to get loyal rugby fans to turn their back on the team.
I pull out my phone, taking a video of what I’m seeing so I can show him, and I quickly forward it along with a text he probably won’t see until after the match.
Jade
