Page 62 of Dream Girl Drama

I’m going to fuck her tonight.

I’m going to fuck Chloe.

Finally. Finally.

The lock on his cage door had been picked and he was out. And he had no idea if he’d be able to get back in that cage, now that he was free. That’s what scared him. That was why he’d refrained from taking her to bed for six long, painful, frustrating months. Because once he let himself taste heaven, purgatory was going to be infinitely harder. And frankly, he couldn’t get much harder than he was right now. Just the knowledge that he was going to be inside of that woman in a matter of hours had him throbbing in his briefs.

Kissing her that afternoon had been...

Lord.

He couldn’t adequately describe the feeling of connecting with her like that. The first time he’d kissed her at the country club, he’d been in a state of suspended euphoria. Almost like he was having the best dream of his life. But nothing—nothing—compared to kissing Chloe after six months of learning her. Studying her, confiding in her, comforting her. Getting all those things in return. Falling in deep, rich, unbending love with her.

But they were on a countdown clock... and the stakes were going to be even higher after tonight.What the hell am I going to do?

“You seem preoccupied,” Burgess said, beside him in a pair of pressed khakis and a black button-down. “Look alive. This is important.”

Sig dragged his index finger around the inside of his dress shirt collar. “Coach McCarren looks like he’s about to give a eulogy,” Sig returned dryly. “Let’s hope it isn’t mine.”

“They’d be out of their minds to trade you.”

“Don’t be so sure. They got me cheap, but I could be too expensive now.”

“Could you see yourself leaving Boston?”

“If it meant being paid what I’m worth?” Sig sighed through the vulnerable feeling that came with the possibility of being on a new team, in a different city. Starting from scratch. “If it meant more security for Chloe, yeah. I’d take her and go...”

Those words were out of his mouth before his brain acknowledged them.

Sensing Burgess’s knowing—and troubled—stare, Sig ran back through what he’d just said, weeding out the parts that made no sense. What reason would Chloe have to go with him if he got traded? What would that look like to the outside world? And she was now actively training to become first chair with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Maybe...

Maybe she wouldn’twantto come with him.

Sig’s palms grew damp in an instant, the meeting taking on a new importance.

“All right, men,” said McCarren, standing up slowly to address the room. “Thank you for coming in. Some of you even look half decent—”

Their coach was interrupted midsentence when Mailer and Corrigan swaggered into the room in T-shirts and bow ties, dapping up teammates as they passed.

“Spoke too soon. Congratulations, you both look ridiculous,” drawled McCarren. “Now sit the hell down. This is important.”

Too late, Sig realized Corrigan and Mailer were on their way to take the two empty front-row seats on his right, but there was nothing he could do about it now. They adjusted their bow ties with a flourish and took their seats, Corrigan sending Burgess a quick salute.

Burgess sighed.

“As I was saying,” boomed the coach. “Thank you for coming in on your night off. A little bit of housekeeping, then we’ll get to the point.” He proceeded to talk strategy for their next two games, which would take place on the road. Chicago and Detroit. “Moving on, I know we all saw this coming, as he’s been open with the staff, not to mention the press, about this being his final year with the Bearcats, but we’re officially saying goodbye to Abraham at the end of this season.” The staff started clapping, followed by the room full of players, the applause carrying on for a full thirty seconds. “He leaves behind a tremendous legacy...” McCarren’s gaze flickered briefly in Sig’s direction, but Sig couldn’t read his expression. “... and some mighty deep skates to fill.”

Some murmuring kicked up around the room.

Sig could feel eyes on the back of his head.

If McCarren was going to name Sig as the new captain, now would be the moment. But he didn’t. Obviously. They hadn’t even offered him a contract yet.

A bead of sweat rolled down Sig’s spine.

“Now.” The coach planted his knuckles on the table in front of him and leaned forward. “We have another announcement. And an introduction. For that, I’m going to hand it over to our general manager, Pete Bauer.”

Everyone simultaneously sat up straighter, trading looks.

---