Page 5 of My Secret Bandit

Jeffrey refused to allow Kyle or me to attend practices until he“saw what we’d bring on game day.”If you asked me, I’d say the idea seemed backwards. If anything, going to practice would help us, allow us to be more comfortable around the team and other journalists.

But what do I know? I’m just an intern.

Before the fallout, Kyle called dibs on all away games, including the season opener in Chicago. He enjoyed traveling, and I was in no hurry to see the insides of any plane.

Tampa won their first game, 24 to 9. Slacking on my journalist duties, I skipped the game, but I got score updates sent to my phone, so… I mean, there’s that.

Apparently, Kyle did well. He got the green light to go to practices, press conferences, and other events. When he returned, I congratulated him. We were supposed to be friends. A team. We were supposed to use each other for advice or to bounce ideas around, but the hate half-hidden behind his eyes only left me hoping the final string holding us together didn’t fray.

“Good morning,” I greeted, opening the front door for Jeffrey to enter the building ahead of me.

“Mornin’. Eventful evening?” He nudged his head toward the cup holder filled with coffee cups balancing in my free hand.

“Nah, they aren’t all for me. This is for you, and this is for her.” I stopped to slide a cup into his hand, then passed one into Sierra’s as she skipped by. “You can’t come into the office empty-handed every day, sir. Treats are how you get the people on your good side.”

“I don’t need bribery, Flynn.”

“I know. That’s what I like about you.”

Lies!

I desperately hoped my lame attempt at waking him up with his favorite coffee would ease his scowl. Even if the change was microscopic.

“Really?” He eyed me while we continued down the hall, light brown brows inching up. “My hard-ass reputation and overall gruffness hasn’t scared you off yet?”

“No.” I shrugged. “Not yet.”

He replied with a short laugh before taking a swig. “Thanks for the coffee, Flynn.” He lifted the cardboard cup in salute, then slipped into his office.

With a stack of decade old articles still to comb through, the workday passed in a blur. As I collected my things to leave for the day, Jeffrey stopped by mine and Kyle’s shared office with a double knock on the doorframe. “On game day, you need to be there by eleven. Get there at 11:01, and I’ll have security hold you until every soul has left the stadium.” Normally, threats—of any kind—would cause an immediate anxiety attack. But his sly smirk and the subtle crinkle around his gray eyes softened his words, so I nodded.

“Good. Now get outta here,” he said before leaving.

I shuffled through the entrance of The Cove. Derek and John already occupied our usual booth with an empty spot where Sierra sat when she wasn’t covering away games. With each step, I scanned the restaurant. The bar. Even the dance floor for a glimpse of the man I desperately wanted to see while also watching for the group of guys I didn’t.

“He’s not here.” A second later, John let out a grunt and glared daggers at Derek.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I wasn’t looking for him,” I lied, sliding in beside him.

“Well, then,they’renot here. No way they’d show their shattered egos around here again. Especially since the videos are still hot. Like sizzling, pits of hell hot.“ John laughed.

“Viral videos? Do people have nothing better to do than sit around and watch random idiots online?”

“Oh, honey. Random isn’t the term I’d use,” Derek replied with a small smile. He lifted his phone and typed something out.

Seconds later, John stared at his own screen, shaking his head. “She’ll find out soon enough.”

“What? How pathetic I am? Thanks, but I already figured that out.” I groaned at the thought of what happened here, and a little because I knew seeing the man that’s become the leading role in my dreams again would be a long shot. My head met the table in dramatic fashion. “Can we get a new spot? This one lost its appeal,” I whined, my voice muffled against the cold wooden surface.

“Yeah. Not happening,” Derek chimed in again. Hearing the smile in his voice, I peered through my lashes at him. “Time to be brave and live life for yourself,” he said, reaching to ruffle the crown of my head.

“Don’t mind him. His grandma bought him one of those daily quote calendars things.” John’s boisterous laugh echoed around our booth as I straightened.

Derek glared across the table, his blue eyes becoming small slits.

“Boys. Be nice,” our usual server said with a grin as they approached. “What are we eating tonight? The usual?”

“Yep,” I agreed, sticking to my mental meal plan.

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