Page 42 of Dump and Chase

“Allan mentioned something like that,” I said. “I got the impression he likes to work hard.”

“Well, he’s our problem now,” Allan said. “Hopefully, we can get him out of here before he starts causing any grief with our guys.”

I made a mental note to ask Ethan about Brandon later.

Victor showed up and we got our meeting started. Allan ran through the injury report, which wasn’t very long this early in the pre-season. Jim discussed which players were likely not making the team and which could be coming down from the Kodiaks. We did a short round table before the meeting ended. I imagined as the season progressed and injuries mounted, these things would run longer.

I was heading back to my office when I saw Brandon leaving the gym. I caught up to him and walked alongside him.

“I think you left me some treats?”

He stopped and turned, and I could see a smile forming. “I figured I owed you for putting up with me on Friday.”

“I was just doing my job.” I glanced down at his gym bag. “What are you doing here today?”

“Doing a light workout and following my rehab schedule. I prefer working out here to being at a bigger gym. Less disruptions.”

That made sense. I thought back to the errands I'd run with Ethan earlier in the week. Even in the grocery store he’d gotten stares and people pointing. “I got your file and worked on some new exercises we can try tomorrow.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Jim told me you’d have something planned for me.” He seemed to consider me for a second, then added, “I’m not going to lie, it’s weird that the head Ravens therapist pawned me off to the assistant therapist, but I think I know why.”

His playful blue eyes distracted me for a moment, but then I snapped back to reality. I couldn’t exactly tell Brandon that Allan wanted nothing to do with him, but based on his smirk, he already knew that.

“You’re in excellent hands with Jim.”

“I got the impression he knows what he’s doing. He mentioned you were pregnant?”

Did Jim have to tell everyone? Maybe the guy could throw me a baby shower or post about it to his TikTok.

“I am.”

“Congrats,” he said without sounding very excited. “I didn’t realize you’re married.”

“I’m not. The baby wasn’t planned.” I winced. I didn’t need to give Brandon all the details.

“The guy isn’t in the picture?” The twinkle in his eyes warmed something inside of me. Nice to know that even pregnant, I could catch a guy’s attention?

“No, he’s not. He plans to be in the baby’s life, though.”

“At least he’s doing that. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Right.”

I watched him walk away and couldn’t divert my eyes from the way his ass looked in his jeans. What was wrong with me today? No fraternization with the players, plus, I was three months pregnant. I had bigger things to worry about.

ChapterTwenty-One

Tangi

Igot up the next morning with a smile on my face. I’d slept well, having to get up to pee only once during the night. And I was looking forward to going to work. The day was going to be split up working with Brandon on the next phase of his recovery, then meeting with some of the other Ravens players to see how their injuries were faring. The afternoon consisted of more paperwork catchup.

Ethan was in the kitchen making a protein shake when I wandered in to make my only cup of coffee for the day. I planned to have some overnight oats for breakfast while I savored that single cup of coffee.

“Good morning,” I said.

He’d showered, and his dark brown hair was still wet. I couldn’t help but notice the fitted shirt he had on. Working for a professional sports team meant I was surrounded by hot men. It didn’t hurt that he smelled nice, a mix of soap and shampoo.

“You seem chipper.”

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