Chapter Nineteen
Rainey
I hang up the phone with the caterers for the anniversary party, satisfied the menu is set for the evening. I check that off my to-do list and move on to the next item. I’ve been working all morning, and I’m about ready to take a break.
My phone rings.
I glance at the screen and see it’s Lucas.
My stomach flips at the sight of his name.
After spending a glorious night and day in his bed, I returned to work on Monday and I’ve been busy ever since.
But we’ve texted during the day, talked after work, and the end result is scary.
I’m getting used to my days with Lucas in them.
The only way I can deal with the upcoming end of our relationship, which I’d said was after our work together ended, but more likely would be when Jack returns from his last stop in Charleston, is by telling myself what I feel for Lucas is attraction.
Desire.
Admiration.
Not love.
I’m lying to myself and I know it.
Drawing a deep breath, I answer the call. “Hi, Lucas.”
“Hi, beautiful.” My heart squeezes at the endearment and my body grows soft at his gruff voice.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Carras?” I ask, keeping things light.
“Adam called. It’s time to visit the museum and see the exhibit in person.”
I wish I can say I put my ex out of my mind, but he’s on the to-do list for the anniversary season events. “I’m surprised he didn’t call me himself.”
There is silence before Lucas says, “I might have told him to stay the fuck away from you the last time I was there.”
I open, then close my mouth before finally bursting out in laughter. “Oh God. I know I should be mad you weren’t completely professional with him but…”
“He said some things about you I didn’t like. Nobody talks shit about you around me.”
My heart skips a beat at the alpha-possessive tone in his voice. Lucas doesn’t apologize for what he said to Adam and I don’t blame him. I like the fact that he stood up for me. Isn’t that why I’d sent him to begin with?
“I wasn’t going to give you a hard time. I’m happy you put him in his place.”
“Good, because even if you were upset, he deserved the warning,” Lucas says.
I nod even though he can’t see me. “Yes, he did. I’m just shocked he listened to you.”
“Despite Adam’s bluster, I’m pretty sure I intimidated him,” Lucas says.
I have no doubt he’s right. “And I would have loved to see that. So, what’s the plan?”
“Can I pick you up and we’ll go this afternoon?” he asks.
“Yes. The sooner we get it over with, the better.” And then I can deal with anything that goes wrong, but at least the long sessions with Adam will be over.
“Okay. I’ll pick you up at two. That work?” Lucas asks.
I glance at my smartwatch. That’s thirty minutes from now. “Sounds good,” I tell him.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you. It’s been too long.” His voice drops to a husky whisper.
“It’s been three days,” I tell him, though I feel the same way. I’ve missed the easy rapport we have when we’re together. Phone calls and texts just aren’t the same.
“Three days too long. See you soon,” he says, and we disconnect the call.
Instead of working for the next half hour, I walk into the office bathroom and fix my makeup.
Not for Adam, but for Lucas.
I return to the office. Kaylee had been on the phone when I made the plans, but she’s off now. “I’m going with Lucas to check out the exhibit at the museum.”
She glances up from her laptop. “Promise me if that snake, Adam, tries anything, you’ll knee him in the balls.” She grins at the thought.
Laughing, I say, “I’m sure Lucas will do it before I get the chance.”
She lets out a sigh. “I wish I had a man who’d kick someone in the balls for me,” she says wistfully.
I roll my eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
She shrugs her shoulder and grins. “But that’s why I’m your bestie!”
What can I say? She’s right.
It’s brutally hot out, so I wait inside for Lucas. Instead of making him get out to come get me, I walk out when I see him pull up in his convertible. Given the heat and humidity, the top isn’t down and I open the passenger door before he can climb out his side.
“Hi!” I say, as I slam the door.
“Hi, yourself,” he says with his patented charming grin. But it’s his eyes, the warm look in them, that he seems to save just for me.
I lean over and he meets me halfway. Our lips lock and the feel of his kiss after a mere three days is everything I need. I lean back slowly and touch my mouth. “My gloss is gone.”
“My girl doesn’t need makeup.”
Though I blush, it might be the nicest compliment I’ve ever received. And him calling me his girl? Butterflies take flight in my stomach.
“Ready to deal with the jackass?” he asks.
I laugh. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
We drive over to the museum to the sound of Hozier playing on the radio. I’m not worried about seeing Adam because I’m not alone, and if he’s smart and wants a feather in his cap by running the Thunder Anniversary Collection, he’ll behave. Lucas is my insurance that I won’t have a problem.
We enter the museum and walk together to the room where the display is located.
The sign we’d ordered looks perfect above the doorway, and I step inside to find the history of the Thunder surrounding me.
Team memorabilia that I’d had on my list but am now seeing in person brings a proud lump to my throat.
Throwback helmets, uniforms, jerseys, and balls, signed and unsigned.
Mint silver coins, autographed photographs, trophies, Funko Pops of star players, and so much more.
“I did a fabulous job, right?”
I turn to face Adam and feel Lucas’s hand against my back. “I think the items I had sent over speak for themselves,” I tell him in my most annoyed voice.
“Isn’t that just like her? Taking credit when I did all the work.” Adam slides his hands into his front pockets.
I grind my back teeth. “I’m going to check out each case and we can get going,” I tell Lucas. The sooner I view everything in the room, the faster I can get away from Adam.
He’s on his best behavior so far, which is never saying much, but I’ll take it.
Although the memorabilia are about the team, I can’t help but feel it’s my family’s legacy.
My great-uncle Paul owned the team first and because he has no children, he groomed my dad for the position of president.
Uncle Paul now travels the world with his partner, Lou, and checks in often.
And, as it turns out, he has a family, the Prescotts, who are also well-known in sports.
“Ahem. Are you paying attention?” Adam asks, interrupting my thoughts about my interesting family tree. “I was saying that I strategically placed things to encourage people to circle the room counterclockwise and exit through that door.” He points across the room to another exit door.
“That should work,” I say.
Since Lucas hasn’t left my side, I’m aware when his phone buzzes in his pants pocket. We’d shut our ringers before we entered the museum. He pulls the cell out, looks at the screen, and groans. “I need to take this.”
“Go ahead. I’m fine.”
He shoots Adam a pointed look. “I’ll be right over there and watching you.” As he accepts the call, he tips his head and strides over to the far corner of the room.
“I still can’t believe you need your Neanderthal boyfriend to come see me,” Adam grouses.
I raise my eyebrows. “I’m here to see the exhibit, not you,” I remind him.
“Why are you always such a bitch? You weren’t like this when we were together.”
“Because we weren’t together all that long and you didn’t show your true colors until I turned down your proposal. Which, by the way, is the best thing I’ve ever done.”
At the reminder, his face turns a mottled shade of red. “You cunt.” He raises a hand as if to slap me, and before I can take him out by the balls, as Kaylee suggested, Lucas grasps Adam’s wrist and yanks it behind his back.
“You’re finished,” Lucas says through clenched teeth. He tightens his hold on Adam’s wrist.
“Ouch. Let me fucking go.” He attempts to shift out of Lucas’s grasp.
Lucas holds on for a few more, what must be painful, seconds and releases him.
“Let’s go, Rainey.” He wraps an arm around me and we walk out of the exhibit room.
I swallow hard.
“That son of a bitch. If we weren’t in a museum, I’d have beat him to a pulp.” I look up at him to see a vein throbbing in his temple.
I glance around and see a man seated behind the information desk. “Come with me,” I tell Lucas.
We reach the older gentleman. “How can I help you?” he asks.
“I’d like to see the director,” I tell him.
After reporting Adam to his boss for inappropriate behavior, we walk out of the museum, and I feel one hundred pounds lighter.
“I am finished with him.” I wipe my hands together as if ridding myself of Adam Roberts for good.