“Rough night?” he asked with a small chuckle as he took in my appearance.
I forced myself not to react. “Rough sleep, but nothing a solid mug of coffee won’t fix.”
“I just wanted to stop by and make sure the guys were receptive to Roxie.”
How the fuck was I supposed to explain that my guys were fine with her andIwas the dick?
“We haven’t done any interviews yet,” I started carefully. “Yesterday was just introductions. So far, it seems fine.”
“Good, good,” he said, nodding his head in approval. “She’s going to be the biggest way for us to get the truth out there.”
He leaned back in my chair and studied me.
“I think this team is worth fighting for, Coach Hayes, and I would hope everyone on this team agrees.”
It wasn’t said as a threat to me. That made it even worse. He trusted me to lead the team and I’d failed on day one.
Kingsford believed in our team, and I hated the reality that I was more concerned about my own feelings than doing what was best.
“We’ll make sure she feels at home here,” I promised with a tight smile. “We’ve worked out the awkwardness and are starting to feel like a team.”
“Well, I have something that might just help with that,” he mused, pulling over a paper I hadn’t noticed and sliding it my way. I sat in the chair on the wrong side of my desk and looked down at it.
“A resort?” I questioned, confused.
“I’ve seen the footage. You’ve worked those boys hard for a month,” he said, chuckling again. “This is an all-inclusive resort that gives you all a break. It’s just for four days and I want Roxie to go with you.”
“Okay,” I said, my voice stunned.
He started to rise, fixing his blazer. “You’ve worked hard, Coach. Enjoy the break and fine dining. Oh, and tell Roxie to bring a friend. I don’t want her to feel unsafe.”
I finally found my voice as he started to walk away, realizing I’d been meaning to contact him and the board.
“Oh, Mr. Kingsford. I wanted to talk to you about Greer Abbott.”
He stopped walking, eyebrows furrowed as he turned. “He’s been one of the biggest assets with our redemption.”
“He has,” I agreed. “But I’ve noticed he’s not bouncing back quite as easily. We need a permanent physical therapist on the books if we can swing it.”
He considered it. “Done. Put the listing out and I want you to sit in on the interviews.”
“Of course,” I said, relieved it wasn’t a fight. “Thank you, sir.”
He waved over his shoulder. “My team will send over the information. The team leaves tomorrow. Buses are arranged.”
He walked out and I was stunned silent in my office for the second time in two days.
Chapter
Eight
Roxie
“Aresort?” I repeated back into the phone. I’d never been at a loss for words, but this finally did it.
“Mr. Kingsford decided that the team could use the break from my brutal practices and that it might give you space to start your interviews,” Hayes explained carefully.
His voice lacked the anger he’d held yesterday. The sudden change was confusing.
