Chapter 41 Chelsea
Chelsea
GINNY.
After scanning the party, I spot her chatting with some burly Mastodons in a far corner.
Unfortunately, Bellamy’s nowhere to be found.
I would have preferred telling them both at once to save me double the anguish.
But oh well. The Mastodons’ jovial owner has always made it clear she likes me, so perhaps it will be helpful to practice my confession on her first before moving on to her nephew, who’s always wanted to get rid of me.
When I reach Ginny, I touch her arm to get her attention, but before I’ve said a word, she raises the champagne flute in her hand and sings out, “Chelsea, darling! I’ve been looking for you all night! There’s something important I want to talk to you about, my dear.”
Uh-oh. Does she already know about Luca and me? Does everyone know … including Bellamy?
A nearby music speaker is making normal conversation difficult, so Ginny guides me to a spot around a corner in a quiet hallway.
When we’re all alone, she says, “As you know, I decided to be hands-off during my first season. After hiring your wonderful father, I stepped back to watch and learn.” Her smile broadens.
“Well, now that I’ve done that, I’ve got some strong opinions about how this team should be run. ”
My stomach tightens and my heart rate increases. Where is this heading?
Ginny clucks her tongue. “You shouldn’t be on the coaching staff, Chelsea.
I know you know that, because you said as much way back at the welcome barbeque, when we talked about your dream of working in analytics.
We both know you should be in operations.
Your combined skill sets would be incredibly impactful on that side of the organization. ”
I agree completely. But how am I going to explain to this lovely woman that her beloved nephew made me promise to leave him alone about me coming over to operations when I lost our bet over Luca?
“Next season,” Ginny continues, “I want you to work in operations so you can help me oversee every department and figure out what we should be doing to take our team to the next level. You’ll be my eyes and ears, Chelsea.
My assistant and liaison. My right-hand woman, if you will.
But don’t worry, you’ll be an executive, not a personal assistant. ”
My brain finally catches up with my ears. “So, I’d be working directly for you?”
“That’s right.”
Shit, shit, shit! This sounds like a dream come true!
Fucking Bellamy! “Honestly, this sounds like the perfect job for me, Ginny. But I’m pretty sure Mr. Bellamy wouldn’t approve of it.
I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but your nephew’s not a fan of what I bring to the table and doesn’t want me getting in his way on the operations side of things. ”
Ginny scoffs. “Who cares what Walker thinks of my idea?” She leans forward, smirking.
“Honey, my nephew works for me, not the other way around. Don’t you realize that?
” Laughing at my expression, she takes a happy gulp of her champagne.
“When Rupert died, I told Walker he had this season to show me that my husband’s way of doing things was the right way, but all that’s happened this season is I’ve become more and more convinced we need to get with the times and switch things up.
Why cling to the past if it no longer serves us? ”
I feel like a hummingbird is flapping around inside my chest. “In this new position, would I be able to freely share all my spreadsheets and analyses with everyone? I’m sure my father has told you: I’ve been sharing data with coaching staff for quite a while now on the down-low.”
Ginny nods enthusiastically. “Yes, he’s shown me everything and I’m deeply impressed. So yes, of course, data analysis will be part of your job. A big part.”
I palm my flushed cheek. “Oh my gosh.” I clutch my chest. And then, my neck.
“This is a dream come true for me. Thank you.” Boom.
In a flash, the surge of euphoria inside me wilts when I remember what I’ve got to tell her about Luca and me.
Will my secret relationship with a Mastodons player compel Ginny to revoke her incredible employment offer?
As I muster the courage to get on with it and make my confession, Ginny says, “I’m still going to keep Walker around next season, if you’re wondering.
He’s incredibly smart. A real genius in some ways.
And he’s always been like a son to my husband and me.
” Her eyes twinkle. “When we turn this team around, which we will, I’d very much like to celebrate our success with the only family member I’ve got left. ”
My heart pangs. Shoot. I think she’s warning me she’ll pick Bellamy over me if it comes down to it. Which, of course, I’ve known all along.
I clear my throat. “Ginny, there’s something important I need to tell you before we go any further.
Something that might change your mind about giving me this new position.
” I swallow hard. “I’m in love with Luca Maguire.
I love him, and he loves me. I just told my father about our relationship a few minutes ago, and I’ll tell your nephew after you, because I don’t want to hide my true feelings for Luca any longer, even if it means Mr. Bellamy might fire me.
” I’m practically panting with stress, and my stomach is queasy.
But even so, it feels mostly amazing to finally come clean and set myself free from the stress of secrecy.
Ginny looks more amused than anything else.
“Chelsea, my dear, considering how closely you and Luca have worked together, I would have been more shocked to find out something wasn’t going on between you two.
” She giggles at my expression of disbelief.
“You’re both young, single, and gorgeous, so why wouldn’t you get together? ”
“But I’m on the coaching staff.”
“Actually, you’re still listed on payroll as your father’s personal assistant.
And in that role, you’ve got exactly zero authority over Luca or any other player.
” She smiles. “Perhaps you’ve felt like Luca’s boss all this time, and good for you for seeing things that way, but I assure you the organization only knows what’s on the payroll records and org chart.
” She takes a happy swig of her bubbly. “Honestly, I think there’s a stronger argument that Luca, not you, had the upper hand and therefore might have stumbled in terms of the employee handbook.
” She chuckles. “But I certainly won’t lose sleep wondering about that, if you and Luca won’t.
” She laughs at my utterly shocked expression and pats my hand.
“Oh, honey. It’s not a problem. I’ll tell HR to draw something up for you two to sign.
Whatever’s necessary to cover every conceivable ass cheek—yours, Luca’s, and the organization’s—and that will be that.
” She snickers. “Either way, it’ll be a moot point soon, once you start working for me in operations.
That is, of course, if you’ll accept my offer? ”
“Of course I will! Thank you. Yes!” I hug her in gratitude while holding back joyful tears.
“Now, go have fun,” Ginny coos with a pat to my back before releasing me. “We’ll handle the paperwork next week.”
“Do I need to wait till then to tell anyone about this?”
“Of course not. The job is yours as of right now. Pop some champagne and tell anyone and everyone.”
“Oh my gosh. What’s my job title, exactly?”
She twists her lips. “Good question. I was thinking ‘special advisor and liaison to the owner.’ But I’d welcome your ideas.”
I bite my lower lip. “Well, since you said I’ll be handling analytics as part of my job, I’d love it if that word could be part of my title.”
A light bulb goes off on Ginny’s face and she straightens up.
“Chelsea Parker, I’m hereby creating an analytics department at the Mastodons.
It’s a department of one for now, which means you’re the head of it!
” She giggles happily. “Congratulations, Ms. Parker. You’re now officially the first female head of analytics in the NFL.
” As I lose my mind, Ginny says, “Now go celebrate. And don’t bother talking to my nephew about this or anything else.
I’ll let him know he can either get with my new ideas or step aside into a new role.
” She winks. “Like I said, my nephew answers to me. And now, lucky me, so do you.”