Page 18 of Mr. Charming

“Or the shark would think we weren’t worth the trouble.” I kissed her shoulder. I didn’t ever want to leave this water, and I feared every day I might lose her. I didn’t want this to end.

She came into my life on a whim. It was supposed to be one night. I was supposed to be a checkmark off her fuck-it bucket list that she better have retired now, otherwise, I might morph into that asshole kid I was when I was younger and beat the shit out of every person she propositioned.

She tilted her head back, and I admired the way the sun soaked her skin. She was so beautiful, I could stare at her all day.

“Be my girlfriend?” The question came from the fear of losing her, but it was what I wanted.

Her head sprang up, and she stared at me. I opened my mouth to explain that I knew I was changing the game, but…

A small smile formed on her lips, then it grew. “You want to be my boyfriend?”

I drew in a deep breath. “Yeah.”

“Okay,” she said and went back to laying her head back, feeling the sun on her skin.

A moment I was so scared of was over, and we were officially a couple.

She made it so easy, but that was Tedi. She didn’t dissect situations or scenarios, she lived her life in the moment.

She laughed in my arms.

“What?”

Picking up her head, she looked into my eyes. “It’s just funny. You’re my fuck-it bucket list turned boyfriend.” She shrugged. “It’s funny.” Her face grew serious. “But also amazing.”

I captured her lips with mine, and we didn’t end up swimming for long before we tried out the bed.

Ten

Tedi

I arrive at the arena early to meet Coach Buford so we can talk and so I don’t mess with his schedule and what he has planned with the players. Usually, coaches aren’t on board with the distraction social media can have on their objectives, so I want to assure him I’m here to work with him and make his program more successful. I’m here to fill the seats, sell merch, and hopefully get more rabid fans who can’t get enough of the sport he loves.

The door behind me opens, and he rounds the small table in the room I was put in to wait for him. Coach Buford is known as a no-nonsense coach, but like any good coach, he cares about his players. Otherwise, the top players in the league right now would be doing anything to be traded. A coach’s worth is usually seen through the players they coach, and Chicago is no different.

“Miss Douglas,” he says, folding himself into the chair across from me. “Thank you for meeting me before I introduce you to the guys.”

“Of course.” I straighten in my seat. “I did want to discuss a few things. Set some expectations.”

He quirks an eyebrow but doesn’t interrupt me.

“You tell me times that are off-limits. You don’t want me at practices? Done. Games, I’m happy to sit in the stands. I’m not going to interfere with what you have going on. After all, you helping the Falcons to win the Cup only makes my job easier.”

He nods, and the tips of his lips rise. “I appreciate that.”

“And please, call me Tedi.”

“Okay… Tedi. I know Bud called his frat brother or whatever about Gill. I feel bad for the kid. He was a little out of his league, but—and I’m biased.” He raises his hands. “There’s a great group of guys in that room next door. Easy to market. Guys who put everything on the line for me and this team, this city, and their fans. All I ask is that you don’t make them out to be some kind of sex symbol. I couldn’t stomach the thought of these stands filled with hormone-crazed women only here to see their warm-ups. This team is a once-in-a-coach’s-career dream come true, and they need to be appreciated for their skill and mastery on the ice.”

I blink, surprised by his candor, but happy at the same time. “It’s my job to gain loyal fans. Loyal fans who stick by your side even in the droughts. Sure, those men in there aren’t hard on the eyes, and their faces will get them a certain amount of attention, but I’ll do my best to make sure it’s about their athleticism and not their weekend activities.”

He nods. “Well then, it’s a pleasure to work with you.” He sticks out his hand and stands from his chair. I shake his hand. “Come on and let me introduce you to the guys. They weren’t thrilled with Gill, so hopefully you have better luck. If any of them give you any real problems, all I ask is that you come to me before Bud.”

“Deal.”

“I heard good things about you, so I’m excited to work alongside you.” He holds his arm out for me to go out the door first.

“Oh, you heard about me?” I tilt my head, really hoping it doesn’t have anything to do with Tweetie.

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