Chapter 28 Steele #2
My eyes go as wide as dinner plates, cheeks heating as anxiety slams into me like a tidal wave.
There’s no way he could know about Steele and me.
We’ve been so careful. Other than at the charity ball, where we were hidden away, we haven’t so much as snuck a kiss in public.
I know the guys wouldn’t say anything, and the girls are like vaults, so I’m not sure where my father would even get the idea. “What do you mean?”
He shrugs. “You’ve done amazing work with Harlow.
His jersey sales are on the rise, the fans seem to be warming up to him, and nobody’s called me a jackass for signing him in weeks.
That’s something to be proud of, Sydney.
I don’t blame you for wanting to enjoy the fruits of your labor by watching it all happen in real time. ”
“Oh,” I say, trying not to show how relieved I am that he’s not onto us.
It would be a pretty awkward conversation if I had to tell him that I’ve been fucking his new running back since before I even knew who he was.
Technically, it would probably help my case that Steele and I had no idea who we were playing with that night at the club, but I still don’t want to have that conversation.
Hey, Dad. I’m glad people aren’t calling you names anymore. By the way, I’m a domme who enjoys spanking men in her free time, namely your new running back.
No. Absolutely the fuck not.
“I was actually kind of hoping you’d consider working for the team,” he says, snapping me out of my thoughts. I whip my head in his direction, brows pulled tight with perplexity.
As supportive as my parents have always been of Livvy and me, I’ve spent most of my life feeling like a bit of an outsider.
I know a big part of that was my own doing, since I chose to base my entire personality on not being into football…
but I’m not sure if that was ever truly me, or just the desperation to be seen as more than Olivia Grant’s younger sister.
When he bought the Renegades, our dad asked us both what level of involvement we wanted.
Even though Liv’s dream was always to be a coach, she stepped up as the heir apparent.
It was a completely selfless move, knowing how much it would mean to our father to keep the franchise in the family after he retired.
At the time, I was fresh out of college and had no desire to settle into a career, so I told him I would cheer them on from the sidelines while they built their football empire.
That’s when I started volunteering at Furever Friends, determined to make a difference while I figured things out.
I ended up loving it so much that I couldn’t imagine doing anything else—at least not until Steele came along and made me realize that I can be a part of this organization without compromising my own identity in the process.
“Really?” I reply. I have a million questions, but I don’t get a chance to ask a single one before he begins to plead his case.
“I know football isn’t your passion,” he says, putting two cautious hands up between us, “but you have so much knowledge. You’re brilliant when it comes to social media, Sydney.
You took a player the entire city despised and turned him into one the fans are now proud to cheer for.
There are people down there right now wearing Steele Harlow jerseys because of the way you highlighted his admirable qualities and made him likable.
In fact, I met with the board and coaches this morning to discuss extending his contract.
They’re all in agreement that, as long as he keeps doing what he’s doing, he’s a perfect fit for the Renegades family.
And so are you, if you’d be willing to consider our offer. ”
I swallow thickly. “What offer?”
“We’d like you to be the team’s official social media manager,” he says, a half-grin playing at his lips when my jaw drops.
“Up until now, the marketing department has been overseeing our accounts, and our interns have been creating videos and other content, but there’s so much more that we could be doing.
You know everything there is to know about this, and whether you’d like to see it this way or not, there isn’t a more loyal Renegade than you.
Every time one of us has called, you’ve been there without question, ready to help, even when you weren’t sure how you’d pull it off.
“I don’t want you to feel pressured, but if you’re willing to take the position, we’d be honored to have you. And if you’re not, we’re still so grateful that you stepped up the way you did for Steele. I couldn’t be happier, sweetheart. I truly mean that.”
My eyes well up, my heart squeezing behind my rib cage. To hear that he’s proud of what I’ve done means more than he’ll ever know. The fact that he felt strongly enough about this that he met with the board prior to today’s game, because he sees me as an asset, is just the cherry on top of it all.
I sit there speechless for several beats, really considering everything.
If he had made this offer a few months ago, it would’ve been a resounding absolutely not.
But that was before I found out how rewarding it is to connect the city that I love to their favorite players by showing them things they wouldn’t normally get to see.
It’s nothing like I expected, and I could definitely see myself doing it on a bigger scale—especially if it means helping the team.
“What about the shelter?” I ask. “I love volunteering there, and I know our donations mean a lot to them.”
He shakes his head. “I’d never ask you to stop working there.
I know how important those animals are to you, Sydney.
We’ll continue making our monthly contributions, and you’re free to create your own schedule so it fits with your time at the shelter.
Obviously, we’ll need you on game days, but you’re here for those, anyway. You’d just be a little busier.”
I return his subtle smirk, happy with the answer he gave. This is certainly a big change, but it’s one I think I’m ready to make now that I’ve experienced the job first-hand. “Okay. I’m in.”
“Holy shit,” he says, a full-blown smile stretching across his face as his eyes swim with tears. “Are you telling me that we have a real-life family business here? My girls and I, running the Rock City Renegades together.” He sniffles. “Sweetheart, you’re making your old man’s dream come true.”
“Dad,” I reply softly, leaning into him as I hold back a sob of my own.
He wraps me in a warm hug, pressing a kiss to the top of my head and making my heart squeeze in my chest. I’m not usually mushy, but I have a soft spot for my father, especially when he wears his emotions on his sleeve.
Seeing him this happy is worth more to me than anything, and it makes me even more excited for what’s to come.
My life has done a total one-eighty since Steele Harlow came crashing into it, and even though we still aren’t completely out of the woods, I’m looking forward to the day the Renegades offer him a longer contract, and we can stop hiding from the world.