Page 97 of The Keeper

I stood in the draft room observing the start of round two. It wasn’t as glamorous as it might sound. It was just a big conference room with phones and computers scattered on the table. Coach Montgomery was on a call. The director of player personnel stood by the giant dry erase board, studying all the moves the team has made so far. Several big television screens were mounted on the walls so everyone could see what was happening at the draft venue.

By the time nine o’clock rolled around I was ready to call it a day. Killian already texted me half a dozen times to remind me he and Max were at my condo with Winston Furchill.

His name always made me chuckle. Their dog was the cutest thing ever and I loved watching him when they’d go away or have one of their weekend adventures at the Guild.

“Victoria,” Glen yelled from down the hall. “Pizza in the press room.”

I waved, signaling I’d be there in a minute. Might as well grab a slice or three. I have a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc waiting for me at home to complete the ultimate low-key, basic single girl dinner. I went into my office to grab my things.

When I re-emerged Glen was moving fast up the hallway carrying a pizza box. He stopped, breathless and laughing. “Take the box, Victoria. I nearly lost an arm saving some slices for you. Those people are animals.”

I took the box and smiled. “Thanks, Glen. You’re a lifesaver, again.”

“I got you, V. Enjoy the weekend.”

I sent Killian a quick text as I made my way down to the parking lot. The stadium was about twenty minutes outside of Manhattan. There’s always traffic in the city so it would probably take me more like forty minutes to get home. Didn’t bother me too much. I turned up the radio and pulled out of the parking lot, catching glimpses of the immense steel and glass stadium as it became smaller and smaller in my rear view mirror.

One week from tomorrow we’ll be hosting Royal City Athletic and the NYC Knights. And then the following Monday was the Met Gala. I blew out a sigh.

I’ll worry about next week when it gets here.

Navigating the streets of New York calmed me for some reason. Everything moved in its structured, routine way surrounded by beautiful chaos. I do love this city.

The noise.

The rush.

The rich, the poor, the curious, the jaded, the humble, and the arrogant all co-existing on street corner after street corner.

The joyful echo of music filling dirty subway stations.

The pockets of calm in the parks.

I shook my head. That sounded more like something Charlotte would dream up. A warmth spread through my chest as I turned into my parking garage.

“Yeah, I know you’re here,” I whispered, putting my hand on my heart. “Thanks, Charlie.”

The night guard waved from the security desk when I passed through the lobby. “Evening, Ms. Chase.”

“Hi, Mr. Baxter. How’s the game?”

He shook his head in disgust. “They need to find someone who can shoot threes. This is embarrassing.”

I laughed and got into the elevator. When I arrived at my door I heard Winston barking.

“Somebody is excited to see me,” I exclaimed, walking into the foyer. Winston ran over and nearly tripped me.

“Finally,” Killian said with a huff.

“Seriously?” I arched an eyebrow.

“He’s antsy,” Max explained.

“Tell me something I don’t know.” I rolled my eyes and put my pizza box on the counter.

Killian hugged me from behind. “Sorry, baby girl. You know I love you.”

“Mmhmm.”

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