After a quick shower, I'm heading toward the weight room when Jennifer McCall appears at my side. “Cole, got a minute? I need you to meet our new events coordinator.”
I follow her to the PR offices, only half listening as she talks about the importance of team cooperation and making sure the events run smoothly. My mind is still on the power play formations we worked on this morning.
“She'll be coordinating several events that will require your participation,” Jennifer continues as we approach her office. “Charity auctions, sponsor meet-and-greets, that sort of thing. I thought it would be good for you two to meet face to face.”
Jennifer opens her office door and gestures for me to enter first.
I step into the office and see a woman rising from the chair across from Jennifer's desk. When she turns to face me, I nearly choke on my own saliva.
What the fuck is Harper doing here?
“Harper, I'd like you to meet our captain, Cole Maddox. Cole, this is Harper Hayes from Hayes & Company Events.”
She's wearing a navy blazer and a matching pencil skirt, and her hair is pulled back into her professional bun.
“Mr. Maddox,” she says, standing to shake my hand. Her expression is perfectly neutral, with no sign that we know each other. “It's a pleasure to meet you.”
Two can play this game. “Ms. Hayes,” I reply, taking her hand. As soon as our hands come into contact, an electric current sizzles through me. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”
Jennifer beams at us. “Excellent. Let me grab the event schedules so we can go over the timeline.”
As soon as Jennifer turns away to rifle through her files, Harper's professional mask slips, and a smirk appears at the corners of her mouth. She deliberately kept this from me, and she's enjoying every second of my discomfort.
“Here we go,” Jennifer says, spreading papers across the table. “The season kickoff gala is in two and a half weeks. Cole, you'll be doing the welcome speech and mingling with sponsors. Harper, I assume you'll need his input on timing and logistics?”
“Absolutely,” Harper says smoothly. “We should probably exchange contact information to coordinate schedules.”
My jaw clenches as Jennifer nods enthusiastically. “Great idea. You two will be working closely together all season.”
We go through the motions of exchanging phone numbers, Harper reciting hers in that cool tone while I pretend to input it into my phone with shaky fingers.
The meeting drags on for another twenty minutes, covering charity events and sponsor obligations, but I barely hear any of it. All I can focus on is Harper sitting across from me, looking perfectly composed while I feel like I'm about to combust.
Finally, Jennifer dismisses me, and I bolt from the room. As soon as I shut the door, I pull out my phone and call Brett.
“What's up?” he answers on the second ring.
“Why didn't you tell me Harper was the new events coordinator for the Renegades?”
There's a pause. “What? What are you talking about?”
“Your sister, Brett. Harper. She's planning our team events. I just got out of a meeting with her and our PR director.”
“Holy shit, really? She didn't tell me that.” He sounds genuinely shocked. “When did this happen?”
The anger in my chest deflates slightly. If Brett doesn't know, then Harper kept this from him, too. “I have no idea.”
Brett whistles. “That's crazy. Harper doesn't usually keep things from me.”
After we hang up, I find myself staring at Harper's contact information in my phone. I’m furious that she blindsided me, but I'm also grudgingly impressed.
Most women try to impress me or get my attention. Harper clearly couldn't care less what I think.
I head home that evening with every intention of confronting her about withholding information, but by midnight, she still hasn't come back. I lie in bed, listening for the sound of her key in the door, but eventually exhaustion wins and I drift off.
When my alarm goes off at six, the apartment is quiet. I check the guest room, but the bed is made, and there's no sign that she slept here.
Harper Hayes, it seems, is full of surprises.
