Page 218 of Vegas Heat

“My vagina couldn’t take that sort of workout, my friend,” I say dryly.

He laughs, and I press a kiss to his lips before I take off for home, praying that our plan works.

CHAPTER 8: GABBY

I arrive at the stadium after my morning classes to find Joanie’s office filled with banners and signs welcoming the new players. Justin put the interns to work, capitalizing on each of their strengths. Mackenzie has perfect handwriting to create the words, Brian and Chase are busy painting in the letters after she finishes, and Chloe is adding the artistic flair while Justin directs and manages the supply chain. Dylan was in class with me this morning, and he should arrive any minute.

“You guys! This looks amazing!” I glance around at all the signs.

“We’ve been hard at work all morning,” Justin brags. “Those are dry,” he says, pointing to one pile. “The ones leaning up on the walls are wet. I’ve got the stack we worked on last night in the office next door, one with each player’s name on it for the clubhouse. We can start hanging them up whenever you’re ready.”

“Let’s do it,” I say, and together we head to the office next door to grab the stacks of already dry posters. We take them down to the clubhouse and start hanging them up all around. It looks festive and exciting when we leave, and I spot Cooper walking in just as we’re walking out.

“Is now a good time for the fake-up-break-up?” he murmurs as he passes by me.

I nod. “Be gentle, though.”

He chuckles, and Justin and I head back up toward Joanie’s office.

“What was that about?” he asks.

I roll my eyes. “We decided to stage a break-up in front of Mackenzie so she keeps her damn mouth shut.”

“Smart. She was yammering on about telling Joanie.”

“Joanie knows,” I mutter.

Justin’s eyes widen. “And she hasn’t told Troy?”

I shake my head slowly, and he lets out a low whistle.

“Oh, that ain’t gonna be pretty when he finds out she knew.”

I twist my lips. “I know. But maybe he never has to know she knew.”

We arrive at her office and step in, and the production line just keeps churning out more and more posters. I help make a few, and since I know Cooper’s on his way up, I ask Dylan, Brian, Chase, and Chloe to go hang some posters around the hallways and weight room so it’s just Justin, Mackenzie, and me up here.

“Gabby, can I talk to you?” Cooper asks.

I purse my lips. “What is it? I’m kind of in the middle of something here.”

“I, uh…can you come out here?”

“Just say whatever it is.” I go for the bitchiest, most exasperated tone I can muster.

“Really? Youreallywant me to do this here in front of everybody?”

I blow out a breath. “Go for it.”

“Fine,” he mutters. “I can’t do this anymore.”

I freeze as I glance up at him, and his eyes are cold and hard. It’s quite the act he’s putting on. He’s even got me convinced.

Mackenzie freezes, too.

“It’s been a fun few weeks, but it’s over,” he says.

My brows dip as I finally force myself into motion. I take a few steps toward him, abandoning the paint brush I was just using. “What do you mean?” I ask, forcing a little bit of begging into my tone.

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