Page 132 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
I’d had an interview with the reporter from SportsBeat yesterday. I was supposed to go into Creative Collective for a photoshoot in a few days.
Last night the Bantams had lost, badly, to a team we would have beaten easily.
What if Knights management didn’t cave? Eventually, the team would have to go back. While I appreciated it, I didn’t want them to be in breach of contract.
A couple of teams had made me some decent offers. If I didn’t accept one of them now, would it mean I didn’t have one? That I was either done or had to wait for the lawsuit?
What if–
“Grif. Boo-Boo. Stop, please?” AJ ran his hands over me in a soothing way. “I’m knot-deep in you and your mind is going a million miles an hour. I know all this is a lot but relax. We’re here. And I don’t mean it as inalphas make everything betterbut more asI love you, I hear you, what do you need?”
“I… I don’t like not being in control.” It came out raw.
“I know. Me, too. It’ll take time. We’re here. It should hopefully mellow out a little. You’re getting years of shit all at once.” AJ continued to rub my back.
“I know.” I sighed. “What if I’m missing out by not accepting one of those offers and waiting for the Knights?”
AJ pressed his lips to my forehead. “The Knights are going to crack. Soon. The other owners of the PHL are pushing for Cal to step down and Bunty to be fired. Not to mention the union is pissed and the team is getting fined like crazy. Someone might even be arrested if they don’t stop that soon.”
“I don’t know if I’d go that far. They love the Knights. They just had Bertie in their ear. I don’t want anyone to lose their jobs. All I want is mine back.” I leaned into AJ.
AJ held me, stroking my hair, pumping reassurance through the bond as he purred. This was nice. Dean had been trying to monopolize me since I’d gotten out of the hospital. Verity attempted to counter it by having all five of us sleep together in her bed–which was lovely if the plan was actually sleeping.
There was a rustle from the closet. “Dinner’s ready,” Verity called.
“Okay, Princess, we’ll be out soon,” AJ told her. He sighed. “Why she used the closet and not the door, I don’t know?”
“She’s probably stealing your clothes.” There was something about Verity inonlyAJ’s button-downs and socks that made me want to do some office role-play.
It was early for us to eat, but Mercy has a home game tonight, so we were going to watch her. Given the Maimers had been huge supporters of me, I should support them back.
We came out and saw a feast on the table of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, creamed spinach, and homemade biscuits with honey butter.
I loved it when it was Verity’s turn to cook. I gave her a kiss. “Thank you.”
“Bread.” Dean stuffed a biscuit in his mouth.
Halfway through dinner, the intercom buzzed.
“Were we expecting any deliveries?” Jonas frowned, dabbing his mouth with a napkin.
I shook my head. “Not that I know of.”
“This is Bunty Longfellow. I need to speak to McGraff. Is he here?” a voice said when Jonas answered it.
Jonas looked at me. “I told you.”
“I don’t want to get my hopes up.” Especially because he could only be here to tell me that my ass was traded. Probably to the furthest team imaginable, which would probably be Hawai’i.
Or they were giving me to the Dinosaurs. No. They might not win much, but were really nice and had the sweetest fans. It would be a team of assholes who’d see me as a threat.
Like the fucking Motor City Gears.
“My sources say the PHL was convening an emergency owners meeting today. Louis Daughtry genuinely seemed to want to fix things. It’ll be good news,” Jonas replied.
Hopefully. But honestly, I’d sort of wanted to see Spencer at least try to buy the team. For funsies.
Jonas buzzed him up. A few moments later, the elevator doors opened to reveal a very frazzled Bunty Longfellow, glitter clinging to his suit, holding a fancy gourmet fruit basket.
