Chapter 16
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
JULIAN
I knock out a few items at work, my focus lacking. Normally, when I’m at work, I’m at work. Always have been. But not today. I’m torn in three different directions. Making the circuit around the office, I connect with as many teammates as I can. Agents tell me about their challenges and their new clients or clients they’re recruiting. After two hours of catch up, I’m reaching out to legal about putting a no-Vegas clause in all our contracts. They want to be represented by this agency, then Las Vegas if off limits. It’s rare these athletes get out of there unscathed. It’s called Sin City for a reason. I heard more stories that started with “while in Vegas…” than I feel like dealing with today.
Back in my office, I pull up the writing portal. That’s what I want to focus on. I stare at a blank screen for far too long and do the only reasonable thing to loosen the writer’s block.
Hi gorgeous. Dinner tonight?
I tell myself I need my muse. But deep down, it’s more than that. I’m inexplicably attracted to Harper. Yes, she’s gorgeous. But she’s more. She’s funny. Sassy. Independent. Bold. Gah.
And here I am again, waiting for a response to a text. I find it refreshing that her phone isn’t an extension of her arm. I loved that during our lunch she didn’t even have it on the table. She focuses on what’s around her, not the next best thing. She was with me, in the present. So sexy. But now? It’s not my favorite quality. I’m desperate for her answer.
I pull up my chat with Priscilla in the meantime. Our characters are mostly fleshed out, so it’s time to write. I review our chat from earlier. Slow burn it is.
JB: I liked your chapter. You set up Gavin for a shit season, but other than that, it’s good.
PRISCILLA: What does that mean?
JB: Well, if he’s going to win the cup, Charlotte can’t distract him. And trust me, she’ll be distracting.
Of course, she’s distracting because my muse is incredibly distracting. I check my phone for the fifth time. Nothing.
PRISCILLA: HAHA, I get it. You don’t think men can do two things at once? Focus on their job and have a relationship? Sounds personal. Still thinking about that girl?
I love that she’s giving it back to me. My mind wanders to Harper again, and hell, maybe she’s right? I’m distracted, and I’m not even in a relationship.
JB: For your information, I’m not in a relationship, and I’m excellent at my job. I’m pursuing someone and honestly was a little distracted this morning. Still excellent, by the way.
PRISCILLA: I’m sure you are. Just like Gavin.
I chuckle to myself. She’s got my number.
JB: Just like Gavin.
And that’s where we leave it. I place my fingers on the keyboard to continue our thread when my phone buzzes. It’s a FaceTime from Chance. I welcome the reprieve.
“Hermano!” His face fills my screen. His lopsided grin signaling all’s right in Chance Fuller’s world today.
“Glad to see that Duolingo subscription is paying off,” I chuckle.
“Yeah, shooting for trilingual this year.”
“Dude, knowing how to curse in Russian doesn’t make you anything.”
“Fuck you. I can have a conversation with Ivan now and even make him laugh.”
“He’s laughing at you, not with you.” Chance always brightens my day with his good-natured attitude and love of life. We’ve been best friends for over a decade, and it’s a rare day we don’t touch base.
“Yeah, maybe.” There’s a brief pause, and I hear the familiar sound of plates clanging in the weight room. “You catching a game soon?”
“I watched last night. What was with that fight with Batesy? He hit a nerve? You got more penalty minutes that usual.” I chuckle at my friend who is the kindest man on the planet, but when he hits the ice, it’s like the cold activates a superpower where he flies on skates, says curses that would make a sailor blush, and becomes so aggressive I worry he’s possessed by demons. That’s what makes him one of the top players in the league.
“That bastard always hits a nerve. Anyway, we’ll be playing the Havoc and Demons games soon. That means more time than a quick dine and dash, amigo. I expect to see you earning your agent money by wining and dining me.”
“You know I don’t make a commission from you, right? So you’re buying.” He responds with a full-belly laugh.
“Deal. Hey, hold on.” As he turns his head, his ear fills the entire screen. I can hardly make out what someone is saying to him through his earbuds. “Aww, give Harps my love.”
He must be talking to Lawson. My mind goes awry. She has her phone near her because she’s talking to her brother, but she hasn’t returned my text. I remind myself I have to be careful with my flirting in front of Lawson. It’s going to be difficult because it’s so natural, like breathing air. Maybe I can use this to ask about Harper and Zac without sounding interested? And why hasn’t she responded to my text?
“Jules, are you listening?” Chance breaks through my wandering mind when he yells at me.
“Sorry, work thing,” I mumble.
“I get it, man. I’ll let you get to it. Make sure you have time for me when I’m in town. I am your numero uno, after all.”
“Still not bilingual,” I tease.
“Not yet, but with hard work, I can get there. You taught me that, you know.” I’ve always been Chance’s biggest cheerleader. He doesn’t need my encouragement, but appreciates it. He works hard but loves even harder. But I’m not sure languages are his thing.
“Stick to hockey.” A call from Chance always turns my frown upside down. I check my phone again for a response from Harper. Nothing. He’s right. A little work on my part, and I can get there with Harper. Hopefully.