Page 35 of Breakaway Hearts

“I’m positive I have no interest in taking pictures of sporting events.”

“Yeah, not my scene either. Does that mean you wouldn’t be opposed to taking pictures to go with your own submissions?”

“Um, no, I wouldn’t be opposed.”

“Perfect.”

“So, Mr. Morrison?” I ask.

“Max!” Michaela yells.

I was expecting a frat boy with old money, because his email signature was Maxwell Morrison the Third, but the guy who walks out of a back office has a teal bowtie and suspenders with thick glasses I think he actually needs in order to see.

“You must be Madison!”

“Nice to meet you,” I agree. “I brought a printed version of the article, and some ideas for⁠—”

“Your article was amazing, and I loved your series idea. Michaela’s enthusiasm was on point.” He waves my bag away. “Did Mickey show you around yet?”

“She thinks she’s interviewing for the position,” Michaela explains. She does not look happy as she pulls up her phone and shows him something, probably missed calls.

“I was working on the layout now we don’t have the interview with the new football coach. Do you like sports?” he asks me.

“Not even a little bit,” I lie.

“Pity. If you want to get into it, or know anyone who wants to hang out around locker rooms…” He trails off, waving a hand like I can figure out the rest.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I assure him before they show me the ropes.

Chapter Fourteen

Owen

A little out of whack

We saw a Bowflex on the curb during our drive to practice. Someone suggested we put it in Noah’s room now he’s gone, I said we had a perfectly good gym at the arena, and now everyone is giving their ideas as to what we should do with the empty room. I didn’t think Colt would be the one to suggest a library with one of those swinging ladders, or that Dave would do puzzles if there was a designated puzzle table.

The things you can still learn after living together for two years is astounding.

“We could offer it to one of the rookies,” Mike suggests. Which is probably what I should do.

“Or we can just leave it empty for Sav. And Noah when he visits her,” Colt suggests.

“He signed a multi-million-dollar contract. You think he wants to slum it up with us when he comes to town?”

“And Sav has the apartment,” Mike adds.

“Which must be lonely now Lacey’s gone.”

“Why don’t you just ask her to move in?” Dave suggests.

“You miss having her around too,” Colt calls him on it.

I should say something to stop the bickering, make some kind of decision, but I’m not usually the one who takes care of that, so when I see Madison across the parking lot, I zone out. She’s wearing a black t-shirt with a pair of jeans, and she looks amazing.

I’m so focused on Madison, who either hasn’t seen me or is pretending not to, that I don’t notice Jason has an equipment bag until Holden points it out.

“Did you score Hargraves?” he asks in awe, and honestly, I feel like the shit, except I had no idea he would be here. I told him we’d be practicing, and he should come, whether he joins or not, but he left firmly turning me down.