Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Hunter
Cat was mine. I stood in her office, holding her in my arms as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Finally not worried about hiding it from anyone, not worried about breaking rules or making an enemy of Coach. The worst had happened.
But for the life of me, I couldn’t feel bad about it. The worst that could happen felt too much like the best thing that ever happened to me right now.
I finished with my call to McGee, my agent, and hung up the phone. The two of us stared in the quiet, feeling the warmth, the overwhelming joy sparking between us.
“Let’s go home,” she said.
My cock responded before my mouth and she smiled.
“I think that’s a hell yeah.”
I thought of the team, of the game tomorrow, and that stopped me from carrying her out of there right then.
“What is it?” she said.
“The guys. The team.” I shrugged, not knowing where to go with it, what to do, knowing I needed to do something. But my options were limited.
A knock on the door startled both of us. Cat popped from my arms and said, “Who is it?”
The door opened and Penny leaned inside. “Who were you expecting?”
Cat rushed to her and enveloped the older woman in a big hug. I felt like doing the same thing, but it wasn’t my place. She looked over Cat’s shoulder and gave me a wink.
“You’re reinstated. But there are conditions,” she said.
“You shitting me?”
Cat said, “You’re a miracle worker. How did you—”
She put her hands up. “Don’t ask. A girl has to have some secrets.”
I didn’t trust that it was for real, couldn’t believe Coach would have backed down from his strong position.
“Are you sure?” I said. Cat came back to my side.
“Penny’s always had a way with my Dad.”
I looked at Penny. She wore a smug smile. “I got it in writing.” She produced a sheaf of papers. I was speechless. I snatched the papers from her and started reading.
“The gist is that you finish the season and then you’re a free agent. In the meantime, either you and Cat cease and desist, or Cat has to leave the team—"
“I already quit,” Cat screamed and actually jumped up and down, catching Penny up in her celebration dance.
“What?”
“I sent my resignation ten minutes ago.”
Penny slid me a look. “I’m so surprised.”
Cat’s mouth fell open. “You knew I would, didn’t you?”
“I figured you’d accomplished your mission here. What more was there for you to do?”
“Good point,” I said. “She made good on everything she promised as my handler.”
I didn’t say what I was thinking about her handling, but I was looking forward to more of it later.
“This means I should get back to the locker room,” I said. “Get prepped for tomorrow’s game.”
We simultaneously felt the disappointment, but it was temporary.
“I’ll be home later. I won’t be long. I’ll pick up my things at Wyatt’s and bring them over.” I suppose I should have asked her if we should move in together permanently, but it seemed like a foregone conclusion. And I wasn’t going to give her a chance to say no.
“I’ll be waiting.”
Penny said, “And I’ll be leaving. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. At the game.” She left us.
“Do you believe this?” Cat said.
“Not yet. There’s been a lot to take in the past couple of days. But with your help, I think it might start to sink in.”
“What kind of help did you have in mind?” She wrapped herself in my arms again. Where she belonged.
“Go to bed with me tonight and wake up with me in the morning. And do it again tomorrow and every single day after that.”
“Sounds dreamy. For how long?” She had sass mixed with her hopefulness.
“Forever, Sugar Cat. For as long as we’re both still breathing.”
# The End #
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed Hunter & Cat’s story. I fell in love with Hunter from the first page and hope you did too. You’ll see more of him, and more of his friend and hero in the next book PLAYING FOR LOVE featuring intrepid star quarterback Gabriel Wyatt
I always love hearing from you and I always answer my emails. Send me a note at Stephanie@.
Warm Regards,
Stephanie Queen