Chapter 29

In my nearly four seasons with the team, I’ve spoken to Jasper on only a few occasions, and I’ve never been called to his office. Not once. Now, as I wait for the shining silver elevator doors to whisk open, I have no clue what to expect.

When the elevator arrives with a soft whoosh, I step inside, my feet leaden, my chest hollowed. The doors close, and I swipe my key card across the security pad and press the button for the top floor.

As it rises, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m screwed. That I did something wrong.

When I reach his floor, I try to psych myself up with reminders that I can handle this. I stare down linemen, I scramble in the pocket, and I throw pinpoint passes under fire from the toughest defensive coverage. Chin up, chest high.

I find suite 1200 and raise my fist to knock. Before I can even rap, the door opens. Maxine leaves, head down.

Ice-cold dread fills me from stem to fucking stern. Shit. Does Jasper know I lied? Did he figure out I faked a romance to escape Maxine? Did Maxine just put two and two together and blab it all? Maybe.

She doesn’t even look at me, though, as she goes. What the hell?

Jasper smiles, showing no teeth. He wears navy slacks and a crisp button-down, and holds the door open. “Thank you for coming, Cooper. Especially on such short notice.”

“Of course, sir,” I say, heading inside as Maxine retreats down the hall.

The suite is quiet. Only the hum of the heater echoes as we walk from the foyer around the corner. Vera is here, perched on a couch in the sunken living room, her hands folded in her lap.

“Please, have a seat,” Jasper says, indicating the chair across from his wife.

Is Vera pissed I’m not joining her matchmaking agency?

Jasper sits in the yellow chair across from me. “Can I get you anything? Coffee, tea, water?”

I furrow my brow. The owner is offering me a beverage? Maybe I’m dreaming. Maybe it’s still the middle of the night, because this is a topsy-turvy world. “I’m good, sir.”

“Excellent.” He rubs his palms on his pant legs, almost as if he’s nervous. “You might be wondering why I called you here.”

Ya think?

I nod. I can hardly speak.

He takes a deep breath, sighs, then gestures to his wife. “Vera told me what’s going on.”

My stomach churns as I wait for her to reveal my dirty little lie.

But when Vera meets my gaze, her expression is elegant, professional. “I told my husband about the remarks Maxine has been making on her show. And I overheard some of what she said to you last night. I thought I lost an earring so I doubled back and heard her inviting you out for a drink, as well as the other things.”

I sit straighter, girding myself for whatever is coming next.

“And I told him how she behaved at the auction. So we decided to pull our sponsorship of her show. Effective immediately.”

My jaw comes unhinged, and I try to speak. To say holy shit, thank you .

Vera continues. “We won’t be associated with that kind of unwanted attention. It’s gone beyond a funny sort of joke about a celebrity. It’s completely inappropriate. And we won’t be a part of it. We have resources on the team to help you if you need any. Counseling, if that’s something you want.”

Wow. “Um, thanks. I think I’m okay, though,” I say, since truthfully, last night was the only time she went too far, and I handled it. I take a big breath. “Thank you, though. For stepping up like that.”

Except, what if they figure out I don’t deserve the support? What if they know I lied about Violet at the auction?

“Of course. It’s what we do for our players,” Jasper says, then sighs deeply, like he’s relieved to be finished with that unpleasant matter. “But that’s not the only reason we called you in.”

Shit. There’s more? “Okay,” I say tentatively.

Vera leans forward. “Now, I know you and Violet have known each other since you were kids, but since your relationship first came to light at the auction, I’d love to showcase the two of you on my social media. For my agency.”

I blink, unsure why the hell she would. “But we didn’t use your agency,” I say, pointing out the obvious.

Vera waves a hand airily. “Of course not, darling. I’d never claim you did. I simply want to showcase you as an example of the kind of love I can bring to my clients. As relationship goals. I can see you’re in love with her, and it’s so wonderful.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and open them again. Once more, the room is upside down, right side up, tipped on its side. “I’m in love with her?” I ask, but then I realize those words shouldn’t come out in the form of a question.

And not just because of my audience. That’s because it’s not a fucking question. It’s a fact of my existence.

“I’m in love with her,” I repeat, this time with the certainty I feel inside. In my heart.

As soon as I say it, I can’t seem to stop saying it. It frees me. It rips the weight of confusion off my shoulders. Everything that’s been happening with Violet crystallizes in one bright, clear moment. “I’m completely head over heels for her.”

I am absolutely smitten with my best friend’s sister, who I’ve known nearly my whole life.

“I can tell,” Vera says, a soft smile curving her lips. “And, she’s quite in love with you too.”

My eyes widen to the size of pizza pies. “What?”

Wild hope takes off inside me, strapping my heart on to a rocket of hope. Violet’s in love with me too? There’s no way. That’s too much to ask for. That’s like winning the Super Bowl.

Vera’s eyes twinkle. “I saw you two kiss. And I’ve been following your romance. It’s a little magical.” She turns her gaze to her husband, who smiles adoringly at her.

“A lot magical,” he adds. “And we’re glad we can assist with removing any tension Maxine may have caused in your personal life.”

The team owner and his wife just went to bat for me. To prevent an uncomfortable situation with a radio host.

But what have I been doing?

Hiding everything.

“I’m glad we could chat and properly take care of matters,” Jasper says.

And when I’m dismissed, I realize that’s exactly what I need to do too.

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