Page 38 of Charming Crosschecks

“Does this mean you’d miss me?” he teased.

“Gerry…”

“I’d miss you,” he said, his voice soft and earnest. “I’d miss you a lot. But don’t worry, okay? I’m not getting traded. My agent negotiated a killer deal. I’m too expensive for most teams.”

She studied his face, searching for any sign of unease, but he seemed genuinely unfazed. “You don’t seem upset about this,” she murmured.

“Because I’m not. Do you like Seattle?” he asked suddenly, the question tossed out like a grenade, his expression deadpan.

Her heart skipped a beat. “You’re joking,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He grinned wickedly. “I meant Calgary.”

She slapped his arm, glaring at him as he laughed, the sound warm and rich, filling the tiny apartment. The grilled cheese sizzled in the pan, a comforting sound amid the chaos of her thoughts. And as she watched him, his eyes crinkling with laughter, she couldn’t help but smile, her heart settling into a rhythm that felt oddly, wonderfully right.

CHAPTER 12

THIERRY

Oh gosh,I am falling for her so hard; harder than I ever thought possible…

Gerry found himself watching Molly more than he probably should, but he couldn’t help it. She captivated him in a way no one else ever had. They had only been dating for two months, but in that short time, she had transformed his world into something brighter, better, and richer than he had ever known.

Every moment with her was magic, from the simple joys of cooking meals together in her tiny kitchen to sharing quiet evenings curled up on the couch. They talked about everything and nothing, letting hours pass without even noticing. And then there were her gestures—like the way she proudly wore his jersey; his number emblazoned on her back as she cheered for him both as his physical therapist and his biggest fan. She was everything he didn’t know he was missing.

And tonight, he was going to show her just how much she meant to him. Gerry had gone the extra mile to plan this surprise, even clearing it with the coach to make sure she could have the night off. He could alreadypicture the way her eyes would light up when she realized what he’d done. That thought alone made his heart race.

But just as he was savoring the anticipation, his phone buzzed, jolting him back to reality. With a small groan, he set the weights on the rack and glanced at the caller ID. Of course—it was Bob, his agent. Bob was fantastic at his job, but he had a knack for calling at the most inconvenient times.

“Hey Bob,” he answered easily. “How are you?”

“Gerry… my man, my guy, my dude,” Bob wheedled enthusiastically, making him chuckle. The man was up to something. “It’s been a little bit, and I thought I’d see how you were doing. Ready for a change of scenery yet? I hear you’ve got a new girlfriend. How come your faithful agent has to hear it from the television and not from the horse’s mouth? I’m hurt…”

“You’re not hurt,” Gerry grinned. “And no. I’m not looking for a change of scenery. Why? Who’s looking?” And he hesitated, immediately leaping to his feet as the movement around the weight room slowed. He had eyes on him and was quickly walking out of the room as fast as possible, hoping that his agent kept his mouth shut for two more seconds.

“You’re not gonna believe this but…”

“Hang on, Bob,” Gerry cut in, his voice low and urgent. Without wasting a second, he darted down the hallway, his shoes squeaking faintly against the polished floor. His pulse hammered in his ears as he glanced back, making sure no one was following. Reaching Molly’s office, he slipped inside, shutting the door firmly behind him. She glanced up from her desk, startled, the phone pressed to her ear. Her eyebrows lifted in question as her eyes locked on his, a mix of curiosity and mild alarm.

“I’m in a safe place to talk,” he murmured, his tone more composed as he leaned against the wall, his chest rising and falling.

Molly tilted her head, clearly perplexed, but returned to her call, her voice soft and measured. Gerry forced himself to focus on Bob, but a small part of him lingered on the way Molly's lips moved as she spoke, her presence grounding him in a way he couldn't explain.

“Go ahead,” he urged.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, just long enough for Gerry’s mind to race with possibilities. Bob’s voice finally came through, tinged with reverence and disbelief.

“Calgary called…”

Gerry straightened instinctively, his shoulders tense as he waited for the bombshell.

“They’re interested in you, and it’s a sweet deal.”

“You’re kidding me,” Gerry blurted out, a strange mix of hope and apprehension bubbling to the surface.

“No,” Bob replied, his voice gaining momentum as though the words themselves carried weight. “It’s a contract for five years. Endorsements. There’s even a shot at a possible clothing line. And get this, Gerry – two commas!”

Bob’s excitement nearly jumped through the phone. Gerry’s heart thudded harder, and he felt the gravity of the news settling over him. Two commas. The words echoed in his mind, a shorthand for something so huge it felt surreal. Over a million bucks a year.

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