Page 94 of Love Game

Kate smirked and cast a glance at Brittany, who’d scrambled from her chair but stood there looking lost. “And he always has to have the last word.”

“I do not.”

“Prove it.”

“What? How?”

“By keeping your mouth shut so you can’t shove your foot in it.” Turning back to the camera, Kate aimed the full wattage of that magnificent smile straight at the lens. “Good evening, sports fans. Allow me to introduce y’all to Mr. Kate Snyder.”

Chapter 21

Keeping his mouth shut wasn’t an option. Not when he had a bride to kiss again. He was smiling from ear to ear as Kate unhooked his microphone and transmitter and tossed them onto the chair she’d abandoned. And there was no way he could keep his lips zipped when Brittany threw her own version of a Hail Mary.

“What are you going to do now?”

Danny stopped, Kate’s hand tucked securely in his, and turned his attention back to the reporter. Some fast-thinking crew member lowered a boom mic just as he started to speak. “Now? Well, right now, I’m going on my honeymoon.”

“I meant in terms of coaching.”

He looked at Kate, and she looked back at him, one shoulder hitched up in a shrug. He smiled at her. “I guess that will be a family decision.”

He released her hand in favor of wrapping a secure arm around her waist. Lame gesture or not, he wanted her to know that no matter what happened, he’d have her back.

Brittany took his equivocation as an invitation. The cameraman swung around as she grabbed a handheld mic and thrust it at Kate.

Kate glanced at Danny. Not one to back down from a full-court press, Kate leaned in, forcing the younger woman to ease back a step. “Well, you know my contract is up, and with salary negotiations not moving in the direction they should be moving and Danny looking for a new position…” She paused to give the implications of their current status a moment to sink in, then looked directly into the camera’s lens. “I guess it’s safe to say we’ll both be free agents soon.”

Before the reporter could produce a follow-up, Danny and Kate made for the ballroom door. The corridor, which had been deserted just a short time earlier, was now crammed with a mishmash of press and fans. People reluctantly gave way as Mike Samlin shouldered his way toward them. Planting himself between the two of them, he gripped their elbows in a hold that made it clear he didn’t intend to let either of them pop loose.

“Excuse us. Excuse us,” he said as he propelled them past the shouting reporters.

A fan shoved a Wolcott Warrior baby shirt at Kate. She took it automatically but stared down at it in befuddlement.

Suddenly, Mike hooked a left and pushed them through a set of swinging doors. They stumbled into a bustling kitchen, but not one of the busy workers bothered to look up at the intrusion.

Kate tossed the tiny green-and-gold jumpsuit thingy at Danny’s chest. “Well, there’s a fine wedding present.”

He caught the scrap of fabric, then shook it out. “I think it’s kind of cute.”

“I’m not twenty, Danny, and this isn’t 1953. I won’t be popping out 3.2 kids now that we’ve been married for four hours.”

He tossed the baby shirt onto the counter and planted his hands on his hips. “Hey, I’m not the one who gave it to you, so don’t come after me.”

“I have an offer, if anyone’s interested,” Mike interrupted.

Both Danny and Kate swiveled to face him. “An offer?” she echoed.

Danny scowled as the hairs on the back of his neck prickled. “Why are you talking to us? You know where Gene and Jonas are holed up.”

“I’ve already run it past Judas and Jezebel, but they laughed me out of the room,” Mike muttered.

“Judas and Jezebel,” Danny repeated. “I like it.”

Kate took a step forward. “What was the offer?”

“Danny can stay, but you’d need to agree to remain here at your current salary, Kate.”

To his credit, Mike’s voice was steady as he served up that morsel of ridiculousness. But that was all the credit Danny could find to extend to him. “Bullshit.”

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