Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
ROYCE
“It’s done?”
The legal team sitting across the conference table from me nods.
Thank fuck.
I thought we’d never get this done.
Five men in pristine suits stack their papers and file out of the room. Ron, our head lawyer and my father’s best friend, stops at the door to look back at me.
“You going to be ok with this, Royce? There’s still time to stop the filing,” he tells me.
Of course, he’d ask. Ron knows just how much this is all going to cost me. To do what I need to do, I have to be around the one person on this planet I despise. He’d been a thorn in my side for as long as I can remember. And given my delightfully powerful brain, that’s far too fucking long.
“Yes, Ron. I’ll be fine. I’m an adult now. Surely there's no reason to worry.”
He scowls, nods, then steps through the door. I know he’s itching to say more. They all have been. Even Bellamy tried to take back the request for me to head up the team after I said yes. If I had to bet, Mama likely got to him and made him do so.
She’s always been a softie with me. I’m her favorite, for obvious reasons.
Reasons I don’t have time to think about, or I’ll be late for my next meeting.
Grabbing my coat, I make my way out of the conference room towards the elevator.
I put it on and adjust my appearance reflecting back at me on the doors as I wait for it to arrive.
My oversized sweater hangs loosely over the silk skirt I’m wearing.
I’ve matched it with a pair of combat boots and fishnets.
It’s one of my favorite combos—equal parts comfy and sexy.
I check my phone for any missed messages to pass the time. Running multiple businesses is not an easy task. Especially not when you’re doing it incognito.
My family name holds too much weight in the area. Even if I only give my first name, people would know who I was. Thanks to my brothers either being amazing athletes or dating the type, we’ve gained an even farther reach.
I’m extremely thankful I took the time to bury my identity beneath false figureheads years ago. It means I get to do the work without all the scrutiny or assumption of nepotism. I’ve built a conglomerate that would make even my dad proud—if he truly knew what I did.
None of my family knows. They just all assume it’s business-related thanks to my degree.
Technically, they’re right. They just have no clue of the level to which I’ve taken things.
There are a few emails on my phone waiting for me from my time in the meeting.
There’s a request for funding to another charity.
The answer is probably yes. I forward it to my assistant to review.
The second notification I spot tells me the testing on the new product line is ready to go.
That will require a trip to the factory for an in-person assessment.
I send it to my assistant as well with a note to factor in my new responsibilities with the team.
As well as being the owner and operator of Ember Heights, my overhead company for all my businesses, I just signed papers to acquire and manage the Bellport Blue Jays baseball team.
Thanks to my future brother-in-law Finn, I’ll be turning the team into an LGBTQ+ haven for athletes.
It will match the already growing movement in Bellport teams having support to be themselves without scrutiny from within.
Truly, I can’t complain. As a non-binary pansexual, I feel there can never truly be enough representation out there. I’d have killed to see an out and proud sports star as a kid. Hell, I’d have taken any type of famous person living as their true self. It didn’t even have to be sports.
And now, thanks to my overzealous family, I’m going to be a part of that change. This will be the first role where I’ll be the face of the company. No more hiding behind Ember Heights or the false identities I’ve created for my more dangerous side quests.
My phone rings as I’m getting my car from the valet.
I answer, connecting to the Bluetooth so I can focus on driving.
Too many people are easily distracted on the roads today.
I believe it stems from a lack of discipline.
If people could keep their lives in better order, then there would be no reason to make that last-minute phone call.
Years ago, we didn’t even have mobile phones. Now we’re so addicted to the fucking things they had to make laws to get people to put the things down long enough to remain safe on the road.
But I digress. No need to rant to myself when I’m following the best practices.
“Yes?” I answer succinctly.
No need for frills. Anyone calling my number knows what they’re getting. If they don’t, then too damn bad. I don’t have time to sugarcoat everything.
“How did it go? Everything get all done on your end?” Bellamy’s voice booms through my car speakers.
I turn the volume down as I merge into traffic from the parking garage.
Despite Bellport’s modest size, downtown is always a busy swell of vehicles and cyclists making deliveries.
I have to pay attention so as not to clip anyone around me.
Once I’m safely on the road, I answer him. “It’s done. Ron assured me he’s filing it all today. It’s official.”
Bellamy lets out a whoop, which is quickly followed by a squeal. I chuckle at the sound.
“Hello, Finn. Should have known he had you with him.”
It’s rare the two of them are ever far apart. The boy even travels with Bell during the season as part of the man’s contract. I’d never heard of a team catering so much to the whims of one, but alas, he's a Bellport too. There’s more to this than even they understand.
My brother-in-law gives a hum of agreement. “He’s been a nervous wreck all morning, Royce. I’ve tried to tell him you’ve got it handled. He’s just—”
“Too much of a bear to listen? Yes, I think so too. I’m glad you and I can agree.”
As I suspected he would, Bellamy huffs but manages to stop his cheering. “I’ll have you know I’m no bear. Not like that anyway. I just wanted to check on you. I hadn’t heard anything.”
“Because I just left the meeting, Bell. It’s not like it was hours ago. Geesh! Give me a minute to actually call you.”
He sighs. “Ok, ok. I get it. I’m hovering. I just… I really want this for Finn. And for you. I think it will be good for you to have something to manage like this.”
I roll my eyes. Clueless overbearing brother of mine. He has no idea how much I actually manage at a time.
“You’re lucky the people of Bellport love you. Otherwise, they might scream monopoly since our family now owns every major sports team here. You know this is ludicrous, right?”
“Not really. I think it’s good. We have the resources to make this safe and welcoming for everyone. The players, the workers, the fans—they all benefit.”
I don’t tell him he’s right. We all know he is.
When I don’t speak again, he asks, “How do you feel about this? Still going to be ok?”
I tense at the question. Not because I’m offended, but because I don’t have an honest answer for him.
Will I be ok taking over the team? Sure thing. I can make it work in my lifestyle with some careful adjustments of my daily tasks. Within a few months, I’ll have it all figured out.
Will I be ok co-managing the team with the previous owner, a man whom I dislike on a cellular level? Absolutely the fuck not. I have not allowed myself to think of it. I can’t.
“All will be well,” I say, sounding more like a yoga instructor than myself. My cool demeanor trembles as frustrated thoughts run on repeat in my head.
He’s going to be worse now.
You’re setting yourself up for failure.
Murder isn’t an option.
Being petty isn’t the answer.
The last thought is questionable. Personally, I think being petty does solve a lot of problems. I’m not sure if I have it in me to be that way with this man, unfortunately. He irks me in a way that leaves me frozen rather than ready to use my claws.
Finn whispers words I can’t hear. Bell replies with, “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, little one.”
“Don’t know if what’s a good idea?” Normally I’m not so curious about their private conversations. It’s just, well, I feel like this one is about me. Or about the man I’m going to be forced to work with for the sake of this acquisition. Either way, I feel I need to know.
“He was just asking if maybe one of us should go with you that first day. Finn offered himself up, though I’m keen on going as well. Maybe Jake will want to come too. You know he loves being nosy.”
I choke on a laugh as I turn into the factory parking lot. “We don’t need to roll in twenty people deep, Bell. It’s already going to be hard learning all the ins and outs before the final handoff.”
It’s a shitty position, but one that’s necessary.
While I know more than my fair share of football thanks to Bellamy’s lifelong love of the sport, I know nothing about baseball other than their wardrobe is delightful.
Those pants. I fight back a groan at some of the images I’ve seen during my short bouts of research.
So much ass. Such restrictive fabric.
“Ok, then. But only if you’re sure. I can’t imagine this is easy for you. I’m sorry, Royce. You still have time to back out.”
Taking a deep breath, I console him the only way I know how—by diversion.
“I meant to ask something, Bell. Is there a dress code for this gig? Because I’m not going to go buy some vintage sports jacket and a baseball cap anytime soon.”
He roars with laughter. “No, bud. No dress code for you. As part owner and team manager, you get to set the expectation. Besides, you have some amazing fashion sense. If they don’t like it, they can get the fuck out of Bellport.
Tell them that comes directly from your big bro’s mouth. It’s law, ok?”
Warmth moves through me at his protectiveness.
I’ve never truly asked him to fight for me, yet he always has.
Even when I didn’t know it, Bell was there to threaten the bullies and stand up for me.
He told everyone else to get over themselves when I started showing up in dresses and painted nails.
Our elitist social group didn’t like it much, though they learned it was either learn to deal or be ostracized.
All but a couple of people did, anyway.
Somehow, Kenneth Meyer, and his best friend Clark Greer, managed to annoy the hell out of me day in and day out. They tormented me via the weirdest fucking pranks and Kenneth’s frustrated stare. Those brown eyes of his were like lasers on me. Watching and waiting for my downfall.
Too bad for him it never came.
And don’t get me started on Clark. His choice of torment was much worse. I shudder at the memories attempting to overwhelm me.
If anything, I’ve worked harder to be successful. I’ve been smart with every decision. I’ve come out on top in everything I’ve touched.
Now, after all this time, Kenneth and I get to reunite. He’ll see that all his dislike was for nothing. In the end, I’ve won.
I got the job. I’ve got the looks. I’ve got his team.
There’s nothing left for him.
Which is really why I agreed to this at all. Not because of Finn or Bellamy. Not even because of their LGBTQ+ agenda, although I am happy to see such growth.
I accepted the position because for all the talk and all the success I’ve had, I still sometimes feel like a teenager when it comes to Kenneth Meyer and his taunts. Sometimes, when I’m alone, I still see his derisive stare and wonder if I’ve truly become successful.
So when the chance came to beat him at his own game, I couldn’t resist. I may hate every minute of this. I may find that Kenneth is as much of a jerk now as he was back then.
No matter what, I’ll prove to him and everyone else that they were wrong about me. Royce Bellport is forever and will forever be better than those who have hated them.
My revenge era is here. I can’t wait to reap what they’ve all sown.