Page 130 of Play Me
Renn was so great when he found out that Gray and I were together. I worried about telling him—afraid that he would find it a conflict of interest or think that I was unprofessional for getting involved with a coworker. His response? He laughed and said that it was about time. Apparently, he suspected this was going to happen when he learned that Gray defended me in the locker room back when we still hated each other.
I’m glad he suspected it, because I sure as hell didn’t.
“We actually can’t make it,” I say. “Thank you for the invitation, though.”
“What better thing do you have to do than come to a huge party that was organized by the best party organizer in the world?”
I snort. “Calling me a party organizer is a reach itself, but I’ll accept your compliment.” I grin at him. “Gray and I are going to the ranch. It’s Cathy’s birthday. She’s a woman who has worked there for years and is really like family to them. Gray and Hartley are throwing her a surprise party. I planned that one, too.”
“That’s fair. Just know you’re welcome to show up. You’re like family to us.”
Renn throws that line out there like it’s not a big deal, but it literally stops me in my tracks.“You’re like family to us.”I look away, batting back tears, because at some point over the last few weeks, I’ve turned into a person with feelings.
It’s so gross, as Gianna would say.
A knock raps on the door behind me. My gaze lands on a set of broody, and familiar, deep brown eyes.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, gripping the armrests so I don’t spring off this chair and rip his clothes off right here.I told him not to leave the house in grey sweatpants.
A slow smirk settles against his lips.
“Bastard,” I whisper as he sits next to me.
He laughs. “Hey, Renn.”
“Hey, Gray. Good to see you. Ready for the game this weekend?”
“If you’re asking me if I’m ready to bring a title home to Nashville, then the answer is yes.”
“Glad to hear it.” He pulls out a drawer and then flops a stack of papers onto the center of his desk. “I have something to show you.”
Gray’s brows pull together as he scoots to the edge of his chair and takes the papers. He scans them, not bothering to give me any indication as to what it’s about and then pulls his gaze to Renn’s.
“Are you joking?” he asks, jaw slack.
“Nope.”
“But I thought this wouldn’t be decided yet,” Gray asks slowly.
Renn smirks. “I’m the boss. It’s a perk of the job to be able to do what you want, when you want to do it—if it fits within the league rules, of course.”
“It’s super rude to have a conversation with me sitting here and not tell me what you’re talking about,” I say.
Gray turns the papers so I can see the front page. Contract extension is written in bold letters at the top.
I cover my mouth to hide my gasp, my eyes growing as big as saucers.
“You deserve it, Adler,” Renn says. “You showed up for the team, but you really showed up for yourself. And that’s the most important thing. I’m really proud of you.”
Gray slowly puts the papers back on Renn’s desk. It’s clear he’s shocked and a bit stupefied, but over the moon at the same time.
I grab his bicep and squeeze. My sleeve pulls back just far enough for the new tattoo on my wrist, a queen chess piece, to show. Gray beams, running his hands down his face, giving mea clear shot of his king chess piece tattoo on his wrist in the same spot. He offered to cover the snowflake on his thigh, the one he got after Caroline’s accident, but I told him to keep it. She’s a part of his story and covering a tattoo wouldn’t make that go away. Besides, your history—the people, places, and experiences, make you who you are. And I happen to quite like the man he’s become.
“That means a lot to me, Renn,” Gray says, blowing out a breath. “Thank you for everything. You saved my life in a lot of ways.”
“That’s me. A lifesaver.” Renn laughs. “You saved yourself. She probably didn’t hurt things.” He winks at me. “Your agent will get these papers later today. But I wanted you to relax going into championship week knowing that you’re a Royal for the foreseeable future.”
Gray stands and shakes Renn’s hand. “I couldn’t be prouder to represent this organization. Thank you for the opportunity to play here.”
