Page 106 of Playoff

I absolutely cannot cry.

Not now.

“And when Gene decides he’s done, I want you to know the head trainer position will be yours,” Harper continues.

“Y-yes, of course.” My voice cracks a little and I blink rapidly, trying to keep the tears at bay.

But the damn things betray me.

“Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry.” Gene looks crestfallen as he reaches for my arm.

“Please.” I manage to swipe at my tears. “Forgive me. This is so unprofessional. I’m not upset about…the job. Really.” I sniffle and then fumble for a tissue from the box on my desk. “I just… I’ve got something personal happening. I’m sorry. I’m really glad you’re coming back, Gene.”

And yet, I’m still crying.

I’m such an idiot.

Harper murmurs something to Gene, and he nods.

“I’ll, uh, go say hello to Coach.” He disappears, and I close my eyes, totally humiliated.

“Do you want to talk?” Harper asks quietly, perching on the edge of my desk.

“N-no.” I shake my head but then burst into tears.

Great.

If she wasn’t going to fire me before, she probably will now.

“We’re a family here,” she says. “If something is going on, maybe I can help.”

“No… I don’t… think so.”

I hiccough and dab at my eyes.

“Which guy on the team is it?” she asks softly.

It takes a few seconds for her question to penetrate.

Oh, shit.

She knows.

“I…”

“It’s all right, Rowan. Talk to me. Maybe I can help. Did he break things off after the loss? I know guys have weird reactions after that kind of thing.”

Why isn’t she freaking out about the no fraternization clause?

I’m so confused.

“It’s Blake,” she says after a moment. “Right? You guys dated in high school and when he got called up you rekindled things?”

I nod miserably. “Please don’t fire me,” I whisper. “Please. I’m so sorry I broke the rules but it just happened. But it’s over now anyway, and I promise it’ll never happen again. I just?—”

“What do you mean, you broke the rules?” She looks genuinely confused.

“The, um, the no fraternization clause. In my contract.”

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