Page 71 of Totally Opposed

“Babe?” I ask, and he shrugs and kisses me again.

“I was just trying it on. Not a fan? How about darlin’?”

“I swear anything you call me in that accent of yours is amazing.”

“What about…mine.”

“Especially that.”

“Good, because now that we are officially out, cheers to that kiss you planted on me on the field, I want the world to know that you are mine, and I am yours.”

“Me, too.”

***

“How is your grandfather?” Bart Erricson, the General Manager for Banana Ball, asks, sitting across from me at his large desk shaped like a banana. It’s only the second time I’ve been in his office since joining, the first time was when he offered me the contract. Is this when he takes it away? The rumors of them only taking one team through to next year have been growing all season, and on top of that, the last time players got involved, it ended badly. He can’t be too excited about my and Ryan’s relationship going public last week, especially when they all had no idea it was going on.

“Better. Between my sister and I, we make sure he’s taking his medication every day. In truth, the threat of never eating Ryan’s cooking again was probably going to be enough to ensure he never skips a dose.”

“Yes, well, that is why I’ve asked you here.”

Here we go.

“As you know, we have had some…instances in the past that have not worked out favorably.”

This is what I was worried about. They want us to stop seeing each other. To avoid a messy breakup. But he doesn’t know that we will break up. I can’t imagine my life without Ryan in it, so if it’s a choice between Ryan and the game, Ryan wins. I can go back to the ranch and work it with my brothers. Ryan can stay in the league, and we can be happy. We are happy.

“That said, there are no conflicts here that the league needs to manage. I did feel like we should chat to allow you to speak freely about any concerns you might have. To let me know of any situations that may have arisen since your relationship has gone public.”

“Wait, so you don’t want us to stop seeing each other or sign a relationship form or something?”

He frowns and shakes his head. “No, we don’t think that will be necessary.”

“Oh, okay then, umm, no, I don’t have any concerns. No one has been a dick about it or anything. There are the usual homophobic comments that pop up now and again online, but the tech team is quick to delete them. Our teams are all great guys, so they’ve been good. I mean, Dennis is claiming he’s cupid now, so expect a few promos with one of the guys dressed as a giant baby with a crossbow, but other than that, I think we’re good.”

His lips pick up at the corner at the mention of Dennis, like he’s trying to suppress a smile.

“I guess I should pencil in a chat with him about not trying to set up any of the other players to extend his winning streak, then.”

“Might not be a bad idea,” I laugh, and he relaxes back in his chair a little.

“I wasn’t sure we needed another lead choreographer, but what he’s done with your teams and even for the league has been…impressive.”

“All the guys love him,” I say, and his brows pick up a little.

“Anyone in particular?”

“Not like that,” I go on to say. “He’s the utmost professional when it comes to us guys. He’s never… He wouldn’t…” Shit. I don’t want him to think that Dennis is hitting on the guys. He isn’t.

Bart folds his arms over his chest and smiles at me while I try to collect my thoughts to continue.

“He wouldn’t do anything unprofessional. I guess that’s what I am trying to say.”

“Thank you for clarifying. That’s good to know. While relationships between colleagues can happen, we do want to avoid any…situations where there could be a perceived conflict.”

“No, I get it, like if it was Dennis and you, ‘cause you know, you’re his boss.”

The second the words are out of my mouth, my face is on fire and I want to crawl into a hole. “I didn’t mean—”

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