Chapter 10
brOOKE
On Thursday, the team and Dad returned in the morning.
I arrived first at the small coffee shop where I was having breakfast with Dad and Franci, but they arrived within ten minutes.
Dad was the only morning person out of all of us, but since he wasn’t very talkative, Franci and I filled in the silence.
He’d always been like this, content to sit back and listen.
I used the opportunity to assess him, and I was relieved to find that he didn’t have any dark circles under his eyes and he seemed well-rested.
Predictably, Dad became a little chattier when the conversation turned to my job.
“None of the boys giving you trouble, right?”
“No, Dad. It’s all good.”
“I know those devils. They like pretty girls like you. Though I think they’re all smart enough to know you don’t shit where you eat.”
I avoided his eye as I sipped my coffee.
Once I reached the club, I practically ran upstairs, stopping by my office to grab my legal pad to make notes, then darting into the large meeting room where the entire management team was gathered. I was relieved that I’d arrived a whole seven minutes before the meeting was scheduled to start.
I sat next to my boss, who said, “When Graham asks for our department’s input, I want you to speak up, okay?”
I nodded, feeling a flutter of excitement. I’d volunteered to bring forward the department’s inputs at many a meeting, but this was the first time my boss had conceded. I’d just had a feedback session yesterday, and it had gone fantastic.
Usually, I disliked meetings with more than ten attendees.
They tended to be unproductive, with each person fighting for airtime, derailing topics, and going off on tangential problems that weren’t on the agenda at all.
Today’s meeting, however, was the complete opposite.
It helped that we had a mediator who made sure no one was interrupted or went on for too long.
I was especially happy when Graham asked for my input.
“The club’s image is extremely well defined. I’d say that if we stretch it in too many directions, it might dilute that image, confuse the consumers.”
Graham nodded. “You’re right. That was my gut feeling too, but it’s good to have confirmation.”
It felt great to be appreciated.
“What do you suggest?” Graham went on.
“Well, our boys are already covering a rather large palette of industries between their sponsorship contracts. I’d suggest that instead of adding more industries, we work on raising the team’s profile on a national level.
I know it’s not easy. We’re not the only team in this country, but a few of the boys have achieved national recognition, which will help raise everyone else’s profile.
I’ve contacted several national magazines and heard back from a few.
They’re interested in in-depth spreads.”
The PR department usually took care of this, but I had a green light from them and Tina.
Graham whistled. “I knew you could pull it off, Brooke.”
Tina smiled at me, and I barely bit back a grin. Yep, I was most certainly ditching the image of coach’s daughter. They were finally seeing me as a competent professional. I inwardly cringed, imagining what they’d think if they knew about me and Jace.
Why did I have to go ahead and muddle things? It was one thing to relax around my coworkers and be friendly with them, and another thing altogether to get so personally close to a player.
Had I not learned anything from my breakup with Noah? If I hadn’t been dating him or been best friends with Cami, I’d still be at the magazine, spearheading the LA office.
I didn’t even know what Jace was after. For us to be friends with benefits?
From what he’d told me about his personal life, he hadn’t had serious relationships, which was okay with me.
After believing for a few years that Noah and I were going to have it all, I just didn’t have it in me to even consider dreaming again, not when the fallout had left me in such a disastrous place, both emotionally and financially.
We’d been living together in a gorgeous apartment that I wasn’t able to afford on my own, so after the breakup I’d been lucky to find the rent-controlled apartment I currently lived in.
As the meeting ended, I asked Tina and Graham for a few minutes of their time.
Once everyone else filtered out, I said, “I didn’t want to bring this up when everyone else was here because it’s a detail that doesn’t concern them, but I’ve been trying to work out a timeline with Fashion W.
They want a photo shoot with the entire team, and the only blocks of time when all the boys are free is either in two weeks, or the three-day break before the final game.
I’d rather they fly out to New York in two weeks so they can rest before the final. ”
“That sounds reasonable,” Graham said, “though some are likely to protest having to cancel their plans on such short notice.”
“I’m counting on that, but if that timeline’s okay with both of you, I’ll communicate this to the team in person. It’ll be easier to respond to their complaints and reassure them that this won’t happen often, but it’s an opportunity we can’t miss.”
Tina shuddered. “This one’s brave. I wouldn’t want to face the boys and tell them they have to cancel their plans.”
Graham grinned. “Better her than us.”
I rubbed my hands. “Wish me luck. I’m going out on the pitch. Their practice is about to end.”
“Thanks for taking one for the team,” Tina said.
I chuckled as I left the room, heading straight to the pitch, still on cloud nine that my contributions to the meeting had been valued.
Practice was still going on when I arrived, so I sat in the stands, purposefully not going to the coach’s corner. Dad was on the field, shouting directions at the boys, but I still didn’t want them to see me there.
I relaxed, taking in the activity on the field, appreciating their game. Oh, who was I kidding. I wasn’t appreciating their game. More like the sexy-as-hell testosterone Jace was exuding.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I loved seeing him like this, laser-focused on his game, giving one hundred percent to every move. How could he be so laid-back in real life, and yet so balls-to-the-wall on the field?
When Dad blew the whistle, the boys ended the game, slowing their pace, then performing a few stretches. I stood up, waving so they could see me as I descended the steps to the pitch.
They formed a semicircle around me.
“What’s up?” Andrew asked.
“I wanted to communicate something to all of you, and I prefer to do it in person.” I swept my gaze to each player, willing myself not to linger on anyone in particular.
I failed, of course, especially because Jace was pinning me with the same heated gaze from the morning when he went all alpha on me, asking me to cancel my date.
I cast my glance away, looking at no one in particular while I spoke.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dad heading directly to the changing rooms. I’d thank him for that later.
“As I told you when I first took the job, I’m aiming to get some new sponsorships.
To that end, getting the team national coverage is helpful.
I’m happy to tell you that Fashion W is interested.
They want a photo shoot and an interview with every player.
However, finding time in everyone’s schedule has been a challenge.
Their headquarters is in New York, and a round trip would take at least three days.
I cross-checked everyone’s calendars, and you are all commitment-free in two weeks between the home game and the Phoenix game. ”
Half of the team started to protest at the same time.
“Some of us also have a personal life,” Levi said in a tense tone.
I rolled my shoulders. “I am aware of that. Believe me, if I had a better alternative, I wouldn’t be springing this on you.
But if we don’t take advantage of this opportunity, they’ll just move on to the next soccer team.
I can’t make up for the lost personal time, but I can ensure that your time there will be as pleasant as possible.
I’ve preemptively made reservations to the Box. ”
Through the wave of complaints, I heard a few appreciative whistles. The Box was a very coveted and exclusive bar.
“Heard the wait list to get in is at least two months,” one of the boys said.
“I pulled a few strings.” I tried not to look too pleased with myself.
“Are you bribing us?” Jace asked lazily. It was the first time he’d spoken since my announcement. Amusement flickered in his eyes.
“Yes, yes, I am.”
Jace gave me a thumbs-up. Andrew grinned at me. “You know what, throw in some tickets to the basketball game that weekend, and you have my support.”
“Done.” I clapped my hands, looking at everyone else. I felt bad for springing this on them and ruining their plans, but honestly, the opportunity was too good to waste it.
“Are you coming with us?”
That came from Jace. He’d asked the question casually, but I didn’t miss the sly note and the way he was looking at me… hot damn. He had to stop doing that, because I felt as if my panties were about to burst into flames.
“Yes, of course.”
The right corner of his mouth lifted in a half smile, as if he had something in mind for me.
“I’m in.” Jace turned to the rest of the team. “Come on, don’t be sticks in the mud. New York is fun. You can turn back to your regular routines in our other off days.”
I loved that he had my back. I’d reward him later for that. In the end, the entire team agreed. Some were more enthusiastic than others, but that was the best I could have hoped for.
Jace went to sit on the bench along with a few others while I discussed some details with Andrew.
Over the captain’s shoulder, I had a direct view of Jace.
He had his training bag on the bench and winked at me as he took out his phone, tapping his thumbs on the screen.
I knew he was texting me even before I felt the vibration in my tote announcing an incoming message.
My pulse went haywire during the rest of my conversation with Andrew and rose to a full-blown staccato when I read Jace’s text.
Jace: Meet me in the gym at ten to six.