Page 100 of Game Changer

“She’s over there.” I point. “Everything okay?”

“Great.” He rubs a hand over his smooth-shaven jaw. “Who’s that guy?”

“Brooke’s date. She knew him from school.”

“She didn’t go to school here.”

I shrug. “I guess he wanted to see her.”

Miles looks desperate. “That why she said she couldn’t dog-sit for me earlier today?” He grunts something I can’t hear before stalking off.

I bite the inside of my cheek. Apparently, I’m not the only one with guy drama.

The beautiful tables are laid out with auction merchandise that will be sold in a few minutes. Maybe I’ll buy myself a treat.

“Do I need an Apple Watch?” an older man in a suit with graying hair asks me.

It takes a second for me to recognize him as the Kodiaks' coach. It’s the first time I’ve seen him up close.

“I’m not the person to ask.” I hold up my bare wrist. “But I hear it tracks all sorts of data and metrics.”

“Well, I don’t want to put the assistant coaches out of work.” His eyes crinkle, and I laugh.

“I’m Nova, Harlan’s future sister-in-law.”

“Call me Bill. And I know who you are,” he says, eyes sparkling. “I’ve seen you drawing up in the box.”

My gaze flies to Clay, but Coach continues down the row of items for auction.

“You seem to be fitting in well.”

“I’m only here until the wedding. It feels strange to get to know people only to leave them again.”

“Describes nearly every job in the NBA,” he says dryly.

That never occurred to me. “But surely people can build a career in a city if they want to. Harlan’s here to stay—he has a house and an office and five cars.”

“Five, huh?”

Coach laughs, and I blush. Maybe that wasn’t public knowledge.

“From the scouts to the GMs to the players, we drag our asses across the country and around the world for the chance to be a part of this sport we love. The moment you think you have control, you realize you’re at the whim of something bigger.”

I think about Clay’s stress over his injuries, his desire to play where he can make a name for himself. Or build on the one he has.

Everyone on the team wants the same things, but they need to realize it.

I scan the ballroom and send off a text.

Nova: I need your help.

It’s not a minute later when I feel him come up behind me.

“Hello there.”

“Hi.”

I turn and smile up into Clay’s handsome face. In a suit, he looks incredible.

---