No, interesting was the fact that Miriam was still standing out here having this conversation. “Vinny and Grant are on their way. You can go once they get here. You’ve done your job, now let me do mine.”
She turned on her heel and walked back inside to her table and waited for the other players to get there. Once they arrived, she was sure everything would get better.
Or, at least, she hoped it would.
Silas
Silas tried notto focus on the way Miriam’s hips swayed as she stomped back into The Sports Emporium. She’d worn a tight pair of jeans that hugged her curves in such a way that he was unable to look away until she disappeared inside the building.
He’d almost forgotten he was standing next to McKensie until her laugh pulled his eyes from the store. Silas rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry about that.”
“Sorry that your team’s PR person is a total grouch? You don’t have to apologize for that.”
Miriam was the opposite of grouchy—most of the time, at least—and he opened his mouth to defend her when McKensie reached out and touched his arm again. It was completely unwelcome, but Silas was in a tough position. He needed to make a good impression on all potential fans, so instead of shoving her away and running after Miriam, he forced a smile.
Her fingers started rubbing gently across his skin. “It sounds like you get to leave soon?”
“Not exactly.” He chuckled and took a step back, causing her hand to fall from his arm. “Miriam’s just a little upset with me right now.”
McKensie’s eyebrows lowered. “Is she your girlfriend or something?”
He wished, and almost said yes, but Silas also knew that with his luck it would somehow make it back to Miriam. That was the last thing he needed while he was trying to win her back. He let out a long breath. “It’s complicated.”
The sly smile returned to McKensie’s face. “Well, if you ever decide that you want something that’s less...complicated, let me know. We could go out sometime.”
She wasn’t subtle, that was for sure. And even though Silas wasn’t interested in anyone but Miriam, he still felt his cheeks warm at McKensie’s obvious interest. It didn’t matter how many times he was hit on, his heart had been lost three years ago when he’d seen Miriam smile for the first time. “I’d better get back inside and see if I can get a few more people interested in coming to our home opener.”
McKensie held up the flyer with the season’s schedule. “Well, you know I’ll be there.”
Silas forced a smile, eager to get inside. “And we really appreciate your support.”
He turned and started back toward the store, when he saw Vinny and Grant walking toward him, both wearing matching Storm hoodies—and frowns.
Grant pressed his lips together and shook his head. “You know, I thought maybe the veteran players on the team were jealous of your success with the Wolves, and that was why they didn’t trust you. But then you lied about the event getting pushed back, and now I get it.”
Silas’ stomach dropped. “It’s not like that.”
Vinny stepped toward him and shoved a finger against Silas’ chest. “You’re trying to make us look bad. And you know what? The joke’s on you because now you just look desperate.” He pulled his hand back. “Did you choose to leave the Wolves? Or were they thrilled when the contract was up, and they could drop your sorry—”
“They didn’t drop me.”
Grant rolled his eyes. “I guess we’ll see when the season starts. But for now, Vinny and I are late for our first meet and greet. So we’re heading inside.”
Vinny didn’t move right away. His angry eyes bore into Silas with a threat of violence. Silas worried Vinny was going to go off on him in the middle of the parking lot, and he didn’t want to think about what kind of damage that would do to the team’s image. Thankfully, he turned and walked with Grant inside the store.
Silas gave them a small head start and took a deep breath. He’d just wanted some time alone with Miriam, but these new guys didn’t know his history with her. Of course, Grant and Vinny would think he’d done it to make them look bad.
Silas had been a part of the Storm for barely over a week and was already making a big impression—just not the one he had hoped.
When he finally made it inside, Miriam was talking to Vinny and Grant. She was smiling. They were smiling. But even Silas could see that everyone was faking their cheerful attitudes.
“So, I think the best thing to do right now is to walk around the store and pass some of these BOGO cards out to shoppers. Tell them it’s good for any game, including the home opener.”
Vinny and Grant both took their stacks. “Anything else?”
“Try to act excited. Tell them that there will be giveaways before the game. Anything to get more people in the door.”
They nodded, and with a glare in Silas’ direction, they both started walking toward the back of the store.
