Page 13 of Shot on Goal at a Second Chance
I shake my head. “Not this team. Not anymore. I want them to take part in the process.”
“Why?” He scowls as if I made an absurd statement.
“Because owning a decision like this is exactly what the team needs to come together. Right now, they’re operating like a bunch of mercenaries out for blood. Even if it’s one of their own teammates.”
“How would you know? You just got here.”
I snicker. “Do you think I’m stupid enough to buy a team without studying the games and analyzing performance stats for the past five years?”
His brows furrow, and a flash of doubt springs up in his eyes.
Keeping my tone firm, I tap a manicured nail on my laptop. “I can show you the spreadsheets I made with the data and my predictions if you want proof.”
“Proof of what?”
Not the time to pull punches. “That something has to change in management before there’s no team to manage.”
His chest expands with his inhale, and his eyes fill with stubborn pride. “Are you firing me?”
I hoped this would go smoother. If he can’t embrace a fresh vision for the Sun Kings, I may be searching for a new GM as well as a coach.
“No, I’m asking you to get on board with some changes. Can you do that?”
He doesn’t say a word. Only glares at me, then walks out.
Great. Either I have a toddler for a GM, who needs to go sulk in his office. Or he just quit without telling me.
I scoot around my desk, intent on following him, but when I barrel out of my door and turn the corner, I plow into a wall of muscle in a suit. “What are you doing here?”
Zach steadies me with his hands on my upper arms. “I stopped by to firm up our plans for this weekend. Are you okay?”
Warmth and concern fill his dark eyes, and his scent—sandalwood and pine—fills my nose, yanking me back to the past when we dated. When I realize I’m gripping the lapels of his jacket, I jerk my hands away and step out of his embrace.
I huff out a breath. “I’m fine. Just dealing with a cranky GM.”
He glances over his shoulder. “That was Jack?”
The disbelief in his gaze is affirming. I nod.
“He seemed…frustrated.”
“That’s one way of putting it.” I can tell from the look in his eyes that ‘frustrated’ wasn’t his first choice of words. The Zach of the past wouldn’t have held back what he truly thought, even if it came out borderline offensive. Time seems to have softened some of his edges.
I put a hand over my chest, under my neck. Despite working in this industry for years, dealing with some of the old mentality still takes a lot of my energy and my peace sometimes. Like today.
Zach tilts his head, studying me. “Care to take a walk?”
I glance down at my heels. “I forgot my walking shoes.”
“You don’t need shoes on the beach.” A slow, easy smile spreads over his lips and sparks something in his eyes.
That’s the one place I haven’t made time to visit in Sarabella yet. I’ve been so focused on getting the remodel of the arena started and finding a coach. Now, I may have to hire a new GM, and who knows who else will walk if Jack does.
I’d hate to lose Harper. The girl has potential, and she’s eager to learn. “I don’t know. I have so much to do. And with Jack?—”
He touches a finger to my lips, sending sparks through me—and memories. “It’s after six, and everyone has left for the day. Isn’t the owner of the Sun Kings allowed to have an evening to herself once in a while?”
Even after he lowers his hand, the attraction I had for him all those years ago flares. Except there’s something different about Zach. He seems more controlled and patient. More at peace with himself.
