Page 28 of Puck Princess

“I’ve always seen your potential. Not a lot of people can make it in this industry. Even fewer women make it. You’re gonna have your work cut out for you overcoming the whispers and the rumors, but you’re tough. I know you can handle it. So I’m offering you your job back. But because you were wrongfully let go, you’re on the hiring side of the desk this time. This is me asking if you’ll have me as your boss?”

I can’t hide the tears anymore. “Of course. And thank you.”

I hug him hard. God, we are a mushy family, but I wouldn’t change it. I’ve been on the other side of that spectrum.

“Just do one thing for me, Callie.”

“Of course.”

“Be honest from now on,” he says. “About everything. The storm has passed, but the wreckage is all around. We gotta pick our way through it now.”

I can’t quite force the words out, but I nod.

We hug a third time before he says he needs to get back before his players start tearing each other apart again and heads out, leaving me alone on Owen’s couch.

A part of my heart has never been happier. I feel like I can breathe after being buried under secrets for so long. It feels good to finally be honest.

Except, in a way, I just lied to him again.

Uncle Randy doesn’t know about Spencer. No one does, except for Kennedy. He doesn’t know he’s back in Houston and sniffing around the Scythes.

I know it’s a major omission, but it’s also something I plan to take care of myself. I’m not going to let Owen bloody himself to save me. And I’m not going to let Spencer scare me off again. Not like he and his rich daddy did before.

I’m going to stand my ground and face this head on.

I just have to hope that what my uncle said is true about the storm being over. I’m praying that we aren’t just in the eye of it.

10

CALLIE

“Do me a favor,” Owen says from across the tiny table. “Stop smiling at me.”

I would, but it’s not physically possible. Somehow, in the course of twenty-four hours, I went from being a jobless, boyfriendless mother-to-be to sitting on the patio of some hip brunch place called Kounter with my boyfriend. We’d usually both be at work today, but Uncle Randy gave me a few days off to rejuvenate before I come back full-time. Truthfully, I think he’s trying to let the drama die down a bit. The team has been distracted enough, and now they’re playing a man down. He doesn’t want me causing a scene.

Plus, it gives me two days to figure out how I’m going to be in the same zip code as Spencer Santos.

That thought almost wipes the smile off my face, but I keep it plastered on. “I’m sorry, it’s just that I don’t think I will ever get used to watching you drink a mimosa.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I can be fancy.”

“Mmhmm.”

“You don’t think so?” he asks, picking up the champagne flute with his pinky out.

“I think you’ve eyeballed the beer menu about eight times in the last five minutes. And also, put your pinky away. No one does that.” I swat at his hand, and he catches mine deftly, pressing a kiss to my knuckles.

It’s been nice ever since things calmed down. Owen and I are officially together. We squared everything away with HR, and even the paparazzi seem to have better things to do lately. I’d go as far as to say life is good.

Obviously, Miles is still out there somewhere, so Owen still has security on Summer. He doesn’t trust the restraining order Summer took out on Miles, and I don’t, either. A flimsy piece of paper won’t stop Miles if he wants to get to her. But Summer is strong-willed and determined to be okay. We have that in common.

“You’re sounding awfully unappreciative for a woman whose boyfriend takes her on lakefront brunch dates on days he should be doing drills for a game.” Owen breaks into my thoughts with a sexy tone and sly smile.

“The only reason you’re not doing drills is because my uncle feels guilty for firing me,” I remind him. “I thinkyoushould be the appreciative one.”

He wags a brow. “I have plans to appreciate you thoroughly later.”

I’m flushed with thoughts very inappropriate for brunch, and based on the way the people at the table next to us can’t stop looking over, I know they’re hearing every word of this.

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