“I’ll be more careful,” I say. “We both will.”
Dana studies me for another moment, then nods slowly. “Alright. I’ll talk to Tori this morning and let her know the new arrangement. But Bishop—” She fixes me with a look that makes me feel like I’m back in the principal’s office. “If this blows up, if there’s any more drama or any reason for me to think this is affecting the team, I won’t be as generous next time. Understood?”
“Understood.”
“Good.” She picks up her pen again, a clear dismissal. “Now get out of my office. You have practice in an hour.”
I stand but hesitate at the door. “Dana?”
“What?”
“Thank you. For hearing me out.”
Her expression softens, just slightly. “For what it’s worth, I think she’s lucky to have someone willing to go to bat for her like this. Not everyone would.”
“She’d do the same for me.”
“I don’t doubt it.” She waves a hand toward the door. “Go. Before someone sees you leaving my office and we have a whole new set of rumors to deal with.”
I go.
The hallway is still empty, the administrative wing quiet this early in the morning. I pull out my phone and stare at Tori’s name in my contacts, thumb hovering over the call button.
I should let Dana tell her first. That’s the professional thing to do. The appropriate thing.
But I need her to know it’s going to be okay. I need her to stop worrying, stop spiraling, stop thinking she has to give up everything she’s worked for.
I type out a text instead.
Me:I talked to Dana. I’ll call you after practice.
Three dots appear almost immediately.
Tori:What did you do?
Me:The same thing you would have done for me.
I pocket my phone and head for the elevator, already running through what I need to do before practice. Get my gear, warm up my shoulder, and try not to think about how badly I want to see Tori’s face when she finds out—
“Bishop.”
I recognize that voice. Every muscle in my body goes tight.
Grayson Reed is leaning against the wall near the stairwell, arms crossed, smirk firmly in place. Like he’s been waiting for me.
“Heard you were up here early.” He pushes off the wall and strolls toward me with that cocky swagger that makes me want to put my fist through his face. “Meeting with Dana? Let me guess—damage control?”
I don’t respond; I just keep walking toward the elevator.
“Come on, Bish. Don’t be like that.” He falls into step beside me. “I’m just making conversation. The locker room’s been buzzing all week about you and the hot PT. Gotta say, I didn’t think you had it in you.”
My jaw is so tight it aches. “Walk away, Reed.”
“Or what?” He laughs. “You gonna run to Dana again? Cry about how unfair everything is? Must be nice having management wrapped around your finger because you’re screwing the staff.”
I stop walking and turn to face him.
He’s still smirking, but something flickers in his eyes when he sees my expression. Good. He should be nervous.
