29. Nico
twenty-nine
Nico
“Phones on the table, gentlemen.”
The team groans as Gwen Montgomery, the Evaders’ marketing assistant, leads today’s philanthropy meeting.
The Evaders require its players to donate a certain number of in-person hours to the community. I love this about our organization. Years ago, I became an investor in a nonprofit. One that hits close to home. Since I invested in the organization, it has grown to help even more kids and families.
“Last order of business, I need someone to fill in for Cisco at the Make a Wish event tonight at Mercy Hospital. Cisco’s wife delivered their baby earlier than expected, so he’s out on paternity. Cam and his amazing wife, Talia, coordinated this event for the pediatric ward.”
My ears perk up. Mercy Hospital is where my sister works, which means…Savannah is there.
“I’ll do it,” I shout a little too loudly.
Cam slaps me on the back. “Thanks, man. Talia and I really appreciate it.”
“Anything for Talia.” I feel a little guilty for not taking part sooner, but I have my own charities I give to. But a chance to catch a glimpse of Savannah in action would make adding this one to my schedule an easy decision.
I can’t wait to see her.
“Great. Then we are all set. See you all next week.” Gwen dismisses the team, and everyone exits the conference room for the locker room.
Gwen places her hand on my forearm, stopping me as I reach the door. She smiles sweetly at me, her blue eyes sparkling. “Thank you, Nico.”
Over her shoulder, I can see Lance glaring daggers my way. For a guy who says there’s nothing going on with Gwen, he sure seems interested in whom she’s talking to. He needs to figure out his shit, and either forget her or take her.
“Anytime, Gwen.” Just to fuck with my surly teammate, I shoot him a wink and purposefully lean in to give her a big hug. “Thank you for all your help lately.”
“You’re welcome. Have you heard from Damien?” Gwen asks. She’s still filling in as my assistant since I fired my agent/ex-best friend.
“Not a peep.”
“Hmm. Be careful. I don’t trust that guy. I’ll ask some of the other assistants I know and see if they’ve heard from him.”
“I appreciate that.”
Gwen walks backwards towards the conference rooms and gives me a small wave. “Good luck tonight.”
“Thanks. Check you later, Gwen.”
As I enter the locker room for our light training session, Cam sidles up beside me. “Hey, I wanted to talk to you about your agent situation.”
“What about it?”
“I talked to my agent, Charles, about what happened. If you’re interested, he’d like you to meet with him to talk about his company representing you.”
Cam’s agent, Charles Tinsley, is one of the top sports agents in baseball. His agency represents some of the best players in the league, from California to New York. In every professional sport. I’d be a fool to say no.
“Fuck yeah, that would be great. Thanks.”
“Anything for family.”
Family.
The usual uncomfortable pinch in my chest that comes with getting help from someone is nonexistent as my brother-in-law gives me the details.
It reminds me of the other night, when Savannah stayed and helped me through my migraine.
At first, I didn’t want her to see me like that, but in the end, it turned out to be one of the best nights of my life.
Maybe letting people in isn’t so bad after all.
When Cam and I arrive at the hospital, Talia is there to greet us in the lobby.
“Nic!” my sister shouts and rushes me for a hug. Before I can wrap my arms around her, Cam pulls her out of my arms and growls. “Dammit, Cam. Relax. He’s my brother.”
“Don’t care, itty bitty. You hug me first. Always.” He lifts her up and smacks a kiss on her lips. When he releases her, she’s got hearts in her eyes, and she sways on her feet.
I groan, “Ugh, enough already, before I lose my lunch.”
“Just you wait, brother.” Cam grins as he tangles his fingers with Talia’s. “Lead the way, wife.”
“The kids are going to be so excited you two are here.” Talia bounces on her feet as she escorts us down the hallway and to a bank of steel elevators. Once in the elevator, Talia turns her attention to me. “So, Nic, not that I don’t love seeing your handsome face, but what happened to Cisco?”
“His wife had their baby early.” I follow Talia and Cam onto the elevator.
“He’s probably around here somewhere,” Cam jokes.
“Aww.” Talia’s reaction makes me wonder if she’s got baby fever already. The thought of her giving me a little niece or nephew makes me a little excited. Even if their father is Cam. “We should send them a gift.”
“Whatever you want, itty bitty.” Cam tugs her braid and gives her a gushy smile.
Thankfully, the door opens, and I’m no longer subjected to their mushy shit.
As soon as we step through the doors of the pediatric ward, I spot Savannah standing behind the nurse’s station, reading something on the tablet in her hands.
She’s wearing a pair of dark-blue scrubs, a white coat, and a stethoscope around her neck.
Her hair is pulled back into a high ponytail, and she looks fucking gorgeous.
My heart leaps behind my ribs, and my blood rushes south to my cock.
“Dude, you’re ogling,” Cam mumbles in my ear.
I swat him away. “Shut the fuck up.”
“Just saving you from your sister.” I look over my shoulder to find Talia across the room, talking to another nurse.
“Listen, I don’t want to get involved. I cannot keep anything from my wife, so I’m going to pretend you weren’t staring at her boss like you wanted to fuck her and go distract Talia until it’s time to meet some kids. ”
“Whatever.” No way am I admitting anything to him, but I’m grateful for the help.
Savannah would freak out if Talia knew about us. Which is a complete kick in the nuts. Despite it being early days, I do not want to keep what is going on between me and Savannah a secret. I want everyone to know she’s mine.
“Fuck.” I run my fingers through my hair as a tap on my leg draws my attention. Staring up at me is the cutest little girl I’ve ever seen, with brown hair, dark-brown eyes, and pigtails. “Hey.”
“You said a bad word.” The little girl pouts, reminding me of Talia when she was little.
My lips pull up as I scratch my head and pretend I didn’t just swear in the middle of a children’s hospital. “I did?”
She nods her little bobblehead, melting my heart. “Mm-hmm. My mommy said you shouldn’t say bad words.”
I squat down to get on her level and bop her cute little button nose. “Your mommy is right. I shouldn’t have cursed. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. My daddy swears all the time. Just don’t tell Mommy,” she says, covering her lips with her finger, making sure I know not to spill the truth.
I can’t help laughing as I make an X over my heart and promise, “We’ll keep that private.”
“What do we have here?” Savannah’s soft voice cuts in as she kneels beside the little girl.
“I was just getting reprimanded for using bad language,” I admit.
Savannah smirks at me, and fuck if it doesn’t make me want to grab her around the neck, tug her face to mine, and kiss her right in front of everyone.
“Is that right, Ella Bella?”
“Yup.” The little girl nods as she stares at Savannah in wonder.
I don’t blame her. Savannah is a sight to behold, and from all the stories I’ve heard from my sister, I know she’s an amazing doctor as well.
“Good thing you’re here to keep an eye on Mr. Romero. We can’t have him teaching you kiddos bad words, can we?”
“Nope. This is a bad word free zone,” the little girl states.
“That’s right, Ella. Should we show this guy where the party is?”
“Can I have a cookie?” Ella asks, hopping on her toes, hands clasped together.
“You can have as many cookies as you want. Just don’t tell your mom.”
“Deal.” Ella reaches for Savannah’s hand as they walk off to who knows where.
Savannah glances over her shoulder and winks at me. “Come on, baseball boy. Follow me.”
Gladly. Every part of me agrees.
I’d probably follow Savannah off a cliff. She has me so fucked up and under her spell. And I am one hundred percent okay with it.