Page 73 of Tight Spot

Maybe I was too naive.

Maybe Dawson was too cynical.

Regardless, Dawson kept me tucked to his side while phrases flew over my head.

“You’re vital,” Caldwell said. “Absolutely vital to the success of the team. And I plan on keeping you that way for many more years to come.”

“Thanks,” Dawson said, and maybe he was finally beginning to trust this guy. Although, I figured Dawson didn’t trust anyone easily. Given what I now knew of his family, I couldn’t blame him.

Logan glanced at me, then to Dawson and leaned in. “I’m also well aware of what happened this past winter. I’ve talked to Rick. Frankly, I agree with him on some things—”

Dawson’s fingers dug into my lower back. “Like what, exactly?”

“Like the media. I’d like for you to give more interviews, spend more time with the press. First time or two they’ll probably ask about last year, but I’ll end that shit immediately. Guys look to you as a leader on the team. Everyone I talk to. You and Cole are the two they take their direction, drive, and motivation from. I’m standing here, well aware you don’t really like me all that much yet, but I’m not saying all this to you just to blow smoke up your ass. I’m not that kind of guy. I’m saying every time I ask the men who’s a leader, it’s you and Cole. Especially on offense. I’d like my leaders to be talking ’bout the game and team. As far as the other shit Rick told you to do, that’s whatever. You keep being the player you are, you help me out with the media, and everything else is whatever you want to do with it. I’ll have your back come contract renegotiation time.”

Those fingers at my back loosened, and wow. That sounded great. Except, if Logan was telling Dawson this could end, that having a girlfriend wasn’t necessary, where did that leave me?

“I’ll think about it,” Dawson said.

That was it.

“Good. Now, talking to me wasn’t so painful, was it?”

I rolled my lips together to hold in a laugh. I had a feeling Logan was a good coach, a good man, because he could read people like an open book, even one as closed up and locked down as Dawson.

Dawson’s lips kicked up at one corner. “Not the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced, no.”

“Good. That’s good.” Logan smiled and wiped his hand over his mouth like he was trying to hide the grin, but instead, I caught sight of a tan line. A tan line on his fourth ring finger.

“Are you married?” I asked, more like blurted. Both men looked at me. “Sorry, that was rude, but I didn’t see a wife around, and your finger…”

Might have been a red flag warning for me, all things considered.

“Ah.” He glanced at his left hand and frowned at the tan line. That frown didn’t change when he met my eyes again. “Jackie. My ex, or soon-to-be, wife. She liked our life in San Diego, liked the family we had out there. Chose to stay there and not make the move with me.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“Yeah, well, I can’t say she liked me all that much, at least not the last couple of years. So it wasn’t a shock.”

Didn’t make it less painful, especially based on the look in his eyes.

“I shouldn’t have been so rude in asking.”

“You’re not the first, won’t be the last, especially until this line fades a bit more but that’ll probably have to wait until winter, so…I’ll get used to it.”

Right. Shoot.

Dawson ran his hand up and down my back but stayed focused on Logan. “We good?”

“You tell me.”

It took a beat. Maybe two. “I think we’ll be all right.” He held out a fist, Logan bumped it, and then slapped his shoulder. “Enjoy the party, Dawson. Great to meet you both.”

“Darn,” I whispered once he walked away. “I feel like I just shoved my foot straight into my mouth.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve heard he and Jackie didn’t have a real close marriage, at least from the outside looking in, so you’re all good.”

“Not sure a marriage ending is ever a good thing. At least, not for most.” There were always exceptions.

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