Page 8 of Protecting Player #73
I’m so glad he understands. “Can I invite my roommate? He’s been working like crazy all summer, and I’m sure a break will be nice.”
“Roommate or boyfriend?” His brows wiggle suggestively.
“Just a roommate. We’ve known each other since college, freshman year.”
He eyes me skeptically before informing me that he’ll look for me after practice. I decide to call my roommate now.
“Hey, B, what’s going on?” Thor has been such a good friend to me over the last four years. When he offered to share a house after we graduated, I was thrilled because I wasn’t ready to be entirely on my own, but I also didn’t want to go back home.
“I got the contract!” I squeal and draw the attention of a few staff members before controlling myself.
“Sweet! Congrats, B. We celebrating tonight?”
Relief washes through me. I was a little worried he might not like it because, for the past month, he’s been grumpy when I speak about my time with the team. Must be something with his own job, I guess.
“Yes. Kace Walker has offered to take me for drinks with a few of the other guys, along with Alex. I was hoping you would come too?” There’s a long, disquieting pause. “Thor?”
“Sports isn’t really my thing, Brea.” Crud, he only calls me by my name when he’s upset.
“It’s not really sports, though. It’s friends hanging out and celebrating.”
“Text me where and when, and I’ll see if I can make it.”
Bummed by my best friend’s reaction, I agree and hang up. His lack of support tarnishes my joyous mood.
“Why so sad, pup?” My body ignites at the sound of T.K.'s voice and the cute nickname he’s given me.
“Nothing,” I reply, pasting on a fake smile as I shove the papers in my bag and grab my sunglasses before he can detect the lie in my eyes.
T.K. is a very confusing man. One minute, he’s snarling at me and annoyed, and the next, he’s sweet and makes my heart flutter. I need to be careful around him.
“Don’t believe that,” he says, walking next to me, helmet in hand, full gear on for what I believe is a full-contact practice today. “Kace told me we’re taking you for drinks tonight to celebrate your official role.”
Why does he sound both annoyed and excited at the idea?
“I guess.” I’m fiddling with my recorder when I feel his hand on my shoulder, halting my forward momentum.
“Brea.” I lift my face to look up at him. He gently removes my sunglasses and holds my chin between his thumb and pointer finger. “Whoever has upset you isn’t worth the heartache.”
“It’s my best friend, though.” I say it like that makes it okay to be let down again. A flicker of memory punches through, and I recall more times that Thor has done this–put a damper on my excitement, made me doubt myself when I was excelling at something.
“Doesn’t matter,” T.K. whispers, leaning in closer, our lips only a few inches apart as his eyes search mine. “If they’re dulling your shine, they don’t deserve you.”
I hold my breath as he continues to list forward, our lips touching for the briefest second, and it’s heaven. Too bad a blaring whistle followed by cursing and then his name makes him pull back and sigh as he glares behind me.
I’m too embarrassed to look around as I try to slow my racing heart and pulse. “I’m okay. Go,” I say when he hesitates.
“I’m driving tonight.” With that, he jogs away, leaving me no chance to respond.
“I’m so screwed.” The warmth of his lips still buzzes on mine. “So, so screwed.” Shaking the feeling off, I take a seat on the sidelines and switch from video to stills, posting a few stats for today.
Cash and Kace are doing a few kicking drills, and as I angle the camera, I capture a glimmer of sunshine in the background, giving the image an ethereal glow. I gradually move through the whole team, catching them in action before moving onto the coaching staff and even the cheerleaders. The girls have been gracious when I’ve stopped to speak with them, and they’ve asked that I send any footage to their promotional team so it can be cross-posted and tagged to help build everyone’s online presence.
My time with the Settlers has been nothing but positive so far, and I realize just how grateful I am to Alex for suggesting me for this position. She got me in the door, but it’s my talent and knowledge that landed me the contract.
As I begin sifting through the photos on my camera and taking notes in my phone, a shadow looms over me. “Ready, pup?”
Squinting, I look up at T.K., who’s holding out a hand for me. “Why do you call me pup?” Rising to my knees, I wipe the turf off my dress and put my things back in my bag.
