Page 26 of The Right Move

“Shay, I’ve known you for four years. Call me Ron.” He puts his hand in mine.

“With all due respect, sir. I’d prefer to call you Mr. Morgan.”

“Of course, you do. With your sirs and ma’ams. You’ve always had those Southern manners.”

He stares up at me, eyes narrowing, and I’d be lying if I said this man didn’t intimidate me. He might be smaller than me, but he holds my future in his hands. I’m here as long as he wants me, and the moment he doesn’t, I’ll be traded. That’s how this business works. I’m worth a pretty penny and my salary takes up a good amount of his budget. I’m acutely aware that I haven’t delivered him a championship or even a playoff berth in return for his investment.

“We have a press conference booked before the game tomorrow night. It’ll be you and me fielding questions about your captaincy and what we expect to see from the team this season, so be prepared for questions.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And Shay, try to have a personality while you do it. Yes, we’re going to talk basketball, but you’re the face of this team now and they want to know about the real Ryan Shay.”

“What kind of questions should I expect?”

“I don’t know. Things about your family. How much you enjoy your city. How you feel about your promotion. How I feel about your promotion.”

Time freezes with the unspoken innuendo in his voice.

Fuck it, the moment is here. May as well ask.

“How do you feel about my promotion, sir?”

He exhales a deep, resigned sigh. “I’m sure you know how I feel about your promotion.”

I shake my head. “What did I do to make you dislike me so much? Is this all because I didn’t want to continue seeing your niece? It truly had nothing to do with her—”

“No. God no. How petty do you think I am? I don’t dislike you, Shay, but I also don’t think you’re cut out to lead this team. Being the captain is about more than being the most talented on the court. It’s about family, camaraderie. You’re a lone wolf, which is fine, but that’s not the type of leadership I’m looking for in my organization. I wasn’t upset that you didn’t want to continue seeing my niece. She’s a handful, even for me, but I know firsthand the effects a woman can have on a man. I was hoping maybe you’d meet someone along the way, and you’d change. That you’d be ready for this role when the time came. Take Ethan for example. The guy is a hell of a shooter, but his real talent is being approachable to his guys, and I know a lot of that came when he met Annie. I don’t think you’re ready for this, Shay.”

Well, shit. Tell me how you really feel.

As if he didn’t just make me feel two feet tall, he smiles and waves as Ethan leaves the gym.

Honestly, fuck this. I work harder than any other guy on this team. I’m better than any other guy on this team, but Ron has an issue with me because I don’t have a girlfriend? Or that I’m not soft enough because I don’t have a woman in my life.

The smallest part of me wants a trade. If that’s how he really feels about me, then trade me. Then there’s the reminder that Stevie lives here now and she’s not going anywhere since Zanders signed a seven-year deal with the Raptors, so I need to make this work. I need to make this right.

“Actually, sir. I did meet someone.”

What the actual fuck just came out of my mouth?

Ron laughs. “What?”

Instead of responding because I can’t find it in me to repeat the lie, I quickly nod.

“Shay, you’ve played for me for four years. I think I’d know if you were seeing someone.”

“It’s new.”

“Well, is it serious?”

Is it serious? It’s seriously delusional just like me because I’m a fucking idiot thinking I could pull this lie off.

“Mm-hmm. Yep.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting her,” he continues, eyes narrowed. “Next week. At the fall banquet. Where your attendance is mandatory, and you’ll bring your girlfriend. I know Caroline will want to meet her too.”

I’m fucked. Utterly and completely fucked. How was having a fake girlfriend my solution to this? Why couldn’t I have just offered to work on my leadership and that be it?

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