8. Chapter 8
Saint
We're playing another away game this weekend. It's a travel day, and I arrive at the Thunderdome an hour before curfew with a plan.
My first stop is Evie's office. Her door is ajar, but something about the way her laugh sounds stops me. Just in case, I knock.
It takes a couple of seconds before she calls me in. I open the door to find her sitting on her chair, suspiciously busy reorganizing papers on her desk. Logan is in the process of sitting in a free chair in front of her.
"I see." I grin. "I caught you being naughty."
"You didn't catch us at all," Logan says.
"Thanks for knocking, Saint." Evie arches an eyebrow. "That's all I'll say about that."
I snort and come in. "Do you have a minute? Since I interrupted already."
"Sure." She glances at Logan. "Is this a social or work visit?"
She gives her boyfriend a pointed look. A signal to give me privacy.
I dismiss it with a hand as I sit on the chair next to him. "Please stay, Logan. I want to hear what you think. Evie, have you heard anything about the trade talk? "
"Nothing new. I only got confirmation they're looking into the different options.
Williamson is the one pushing for a trade.
I think he's got it in his head that it's an expensive move, but worth it in the end to make the team stronger.
The good news is, they asked me for my thoughts on the fan split— you know, how many people love you and want you to stay, compared to those that… don't."
I cross my arms. "How's that good?"
"The boss cares about the fans' opinion." Logan's frown is in place as usual. "As the owner, Selena has a say in this, too."
"Keeping the fans happy keeps the cash flowing," Evie adds.
I lift a shoulder. "That might be true, but we know if Williamson wants me gone and he convinces Coach, Selena might change her mind. He is the GM, after all."
"Winning the big game will help." Logan crosses his arms. "Harder to trade the guy who managed a winning touchdown or two. You could get the league MVP, too."
I nod. It helps to hear my friend is reaching the same conclusions as me, in terms of my options. Except…
"I'm good, and have been really good the past year and a half, but receivers don't usually get the MVP.
If I get it and we win the championship, though, chances are it makes me too expensive for a trade.
Both money wise, but also the fans would hate the move.
If I don't get it and we lose, on the other hand…
I can see what Williamson would say. 'Trade Santiago.
Make him the scapegoat. It will appease the masses. All these years and still no trophy…'"
Logan groans. "Don't talk about yourself in third person."
"Saint wants to stay." I grin and keep at it. It's fun to bug him. "That's the main thing."
Evie suppresses a smile. "Does Saint want suggestions?"
"He would love suggestions," I reply.
Logan groans again and rolls his eyes. "Have you talked to Coach Clark yet?"
I shake my head .
"I'll talk to him," he adds. "I'll tell him I don't want anyone new."
"Aww, thanks, QB1. I knew you liked me."
Logan releases a deep, annoyed sign, but doesn't otherwise respond to it. "You talk to Coach too. Let him know you want to stay."
"It can't hurt."
"This won't be news coming from me," Evie says, "but don't underestimate the power of having loving fans. The louder the ones that like you are, the more they'll drown out the naysayers. That will influence the bosses' decision, and it's something that you can leverage."
"Any ideas?" I ask.
"I think it's time for that baking show, Saint."
The smile that appears on her face is one of success. She's been trying to get me into a charity event like this for years.
I rub my bottom lip with a thumb as I consider.
My gut instinct is to decline. Baking is something I do for me.
It calms me and it benefits my friends, my family, and it makes me feel better when I break up with my companion du jour.
Going to a show to be judged for my home cooking skills doesn't excite me, to be frank. I'm no chef, after all…
But Ames is.
I frown. Thoughts of her are never very far. Rather than watching the memory of her pass me by, pretending I don't want to go toward it and ask it to stay, I follow Ames through my mind.
It was a fleeting moment the other night, when I could have revealed too much.
What I really want is…
The silence had been deafening, my words hanging from my tongue. My defenses were nowhere to be seen, and the truth almost slipped out.
… to kiss you and see where that spark goes.
Like a selfish jerk, getting lost in my old feelings for her, rather than giving her the support she needs at this time .
I don't blame myself too harshly for it. I'm only human, after all. My self-interest may be the first instinct, but I have gained some wisdom through the years. I don't have to act on impulse. I can make a choice about what I feel. I must, if I want to avoid hurting people.
The night I danced for Ames, the right choice was to bring back my attention to what she needs. I could make the same decision today.
"Is there a way to get Ames into that show, too?" I finally say. "She could use the opportunity, with everything going on."
Evie purses her lips. "I'll have to see what's out there first. I'll have to reach out to the media, see what I can find that would work for the two of you."
I nod. "I'd appreciate it. Let me know."
"Going back to the club could help, too," Logan adds. "A few people asked about you last time."
"Like I told Logan last year," Evie says, "showing your face and living a life here adds to your social credit in the city."
The corner of my lips pull down. "I'm taking a small break from the club."
While Ames is at my condo, I can't imagine going dancing, drinking, and seducing women. Letting women seduce me. Leaving with someone and taking them to my bed, while Ames stays quiet in her room next to mine.
No need to wonder why but, if someone asks, I'll tell them it's because it would be awkward.
Both Logan and Evie raise their eyebrows high.
I roll my eyes. "It's not that big of a deal."
"Tell that to the people asking about you," Logan says.
"I'm good." I shrug. "You don't need to explain anything to them."
"I told them you have someone at home now." A small curl at the end of his mouth betrays Logan's humor.
I narrow my eyes at him.
A sarcastic arc takes over his eyebrow. "Was I mistaken?"
Evie presses her lips tight not to laugh .
"Look at this comedian." I get up. "I'll be back at the club before you know it. Until then, brunch on Tuesday with the guys."
Barely repressed mirth covers Evie's face. "Maybe we can go out for dinner, the four of us? I'm sure Ames could use the distraction."
I pretend I don't see it. "I'll ask her."
Logan's micro smile grows a tiny bit. "Tell Ames it's not a date, if she worries about it. It worked for Evie and I."
"You think you're so funny." I take a few steps toward the door, still facing my friends. "You're wrong."
"It wasn't a joke," Logan says.
I smirk and wave at Evie. "I'll go talk to Coach. Logan, see you later."
"Close the door behind you, please," the quarterback says.
"You don't deserve this gesture." I press the lock on the handle, so the door is securely closed once I go. "But I'm a generous, good-hearted friend."
"We are too," Evie says. "We're helping!"
"I might add a bet to the Hypersquare board." Logan's eyes narrow. "Something to do with what happens next time Saint goes to the club."
His girlfriend stops pretending she's not teasing, and grins at me. "There was a bet there last year about me wearing your jersey, Logan. Maybe we could make a bet about Ames wearing Saint's jersey—"
I stop before closing the door and frown at them.
" We is too many people," I complain. "That board is supposed to be where players place their season's wagers. Last time I checked, you don't play football, Evie."
"We all know I get preferential treatment. I always have, and now that I'm dating Logan…"
"I'll add that bet for us," Logan says.
I glance at the ceiling and let out an exasperated sigh. "It wouldn't mean a lot if Ames wears my jersey. She's a friend. Do we tease Pen when she wears Bear's name on her back? "
"Maybe we should start," Evie argues.
I check my watch like I don't care what they do. "Fine. If you want to lose the Hypersquare crown this year, Logan, go right ahead."
"I can win it again," he says.
"We'll see." I wave again, and leave for Coach Clark's office.
They may think they're teasing me. Helping me in their own way. But anything that makes me think of Ames in a romantic light is too risky to allow.
I would much rather help my situation by talking to Coach Clark and convincing him I'm the receiver he wants.