Page 77 of Catching Our Moment
“Kelcie has known me since we were pimply faced kids. If she wanted to smear me or cash in on old photos or secrets, she would’ve done it already. No NDA.”
Yaz let out an exasperated sound. “This won’t make legal very happy.”
“Tough shit. If an NDA was effective, they wouldn’t be dealing with Riley.”
She refocused. “Regardless, it’s time to get your ass back down here—and not just for a visit. Time to get back to work.” The sound of a door opening and voices entered her background again. “Gotta go. Let me know about the kid and what plane you’re arriving on.”
And as fast as she’d disrupted my life, she exited it, leaving behind a wake of problems for me to figure out.
Later, between games, we ate dinner. As we were cleaning up, I approached the subject with the hesitancy of a teenage boy asking a girl out for the first time. “How would you feel about going to Charlotte this weekend?”
Kelcie was bending over to put away a pot. She froze, and I caught her before she fell on her ass and helped her stand. “Wh—what? Why?”
I took a small step back, ran my hand over my jaw, and said, “Well, it turns out I have a job, and some people are anxious for me to get back to it.”
“But you haven’t been cleared to play.”
I lifted my good shoulder. “Yeah, but I’m still expected on the sidelines. And truthfully, I have no reason not to be there. I’m still on the team—at least for now.” I leaned my back on the counter and crossed my arms over my chest—the epitome of cool casualness. “So, what do you think? I’d love to take you to Charlotte for a few days… You could see the game and meet some of my friends…” I lowered my voice. “I could have some time alone with you.”
“What about Aaron and school? He’d be so jealous that I saw a game and he didn’t get to go.”
“Aaron could stay with Grace. You know she’d love to have him,” I said, wrapping my arms around her waist, afraid she was going to run, figuratively and literally.
“But—”
I leaned over and kissed her. “We will never have time alone with him here, and James isn’t coming for another two weeks. Besides, we need to figure this out.” I kissed her again, deeper this time, and cupped her face in my hands. I wanted her to say yes.
“Let’s have some fun. Tell Aaron you need to meet with my doctors. I will promise to take him to another game—maybe even playoffs, if our team makes it. I could even get him a pre-game field pass.”
Her eyes widened. “I may be able to buy a lot of good behavior with that reward.”
“So? You, me, my place…alone?”
“Let me talk with Grace about it and check with work.”
No doubt Grace would push her out the door.
“I have to leave tomorrow after my doctor’s appointment and get down there for a team meeting and talk with the trainers. Why don’t you fly down Thursday? That will give us the weekend together,” I said, giddy as a schoolgirl. I could get the place ready for her. “Just let me know when you want to leave, and I’ll get my assistant, Matt, to book your flight.” The first thing I was doing was making sure nothing of Riley’s had been left in the house, including that gaudy bed she’d bought for us. In fact, I was going to call my housekeeper, Cora, about getting it out now. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought about it before.
“Matt?” Kelcie said. “You have an assistant? I thought Yaz was your assistant?”
The bark of laughter that escaped me shocked both of us before I reeled it back. “Oh no. And please, for the love of God, don’t call Yaz my assistant. Even though I hired her agency, Yaz thinks I work for her instead of the other way around.”
Kelcie’s brows furrowed.
“Yaz is my agent. Different from Matt. Matt schedules my calendar, books flights, and oversees the houses and cars—you know, the day-to-day stuff,” I said. “Yazmine Silva and her staff at YES Sports Management are my go-between with the team, business contacts, media, marketing, trainers, etc. Basically, she handles everything business or football related.”
“How many employees do you have, Shaw?”
“I don’t have employees, really—well, maybe just Matt. Then there’s my housekeeper. The others are kind of, I don’t know… Matt and Yaz have different people working on my behalf.
She threw up a hand. “Hold up. Houses? As in, you have more than one house in Charlotte?”
I leaned back against the counter and pulled her between my legs. “I can’t believe I haven’t told you about this.” I held her hand. “Yes, I have a condo close to the stadium and a lake house on Lake Norman. I have a few friends who also have homes on the lake, so it’s a place I go to relax. I have a boat too. Maybe we could go there with Aaron once the season is over.”
She stared at me for a moment, her mouth slightly open. “I know I shouldn’t be surprised you have more than one house. I guess we have a lot to learn about each other.” I gave her a quick kiss. “I’m just so excited to show you everything and have a chance to introduce you to my friends. I want to show you what life is like in Charlotte.”
And I want you to see what our life could be…if you would just give it a chance.
