Chapter 16 #3
Her expression softens, briefly. “We take care of our own here. I started as a player liaison in my twenties and worked my way up. The Bears reward loyalty.”
I can’t help but smile. “I love that.”
Trina’s lips curve up. “Alright, let’s talk benefits and salary.
” I nod. “There is no better insurance in the league. We want to start you at two hundred ninety thousand annually, plus benefits and bonuses tied to postseason performance, as well as a relocation allowance. So, you get ahold of whoever you need to and get them to do the heavy lifting.”
“That’s… more than fair,” I say. The VA was starting at much less.
“Good,” she replies, standing and extending her hand again. “Then welcome to the team, Dr. Holloway. I have a feeling you’ll fit right in. KET sisters always do.”
I blink. “You’re a KET?”
“Class of ‘01,” her eyes twinkling now. “We’re everywhere, darling. Like glitter and gossip.” That earns a real laugh out of me. “I know you’re moving, but what do you think about starting Monday?”
“I think that sounds great.”
“Now,” she adds, glancing at Savannah, who is asleep in her seat, “We’ll go get you two settled in the lounge with some paperwork, and I’ll have your ID badge and parking pass sent down. And Claudia?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t let the suits or the sticks in the front office scare you. Around here, people remember who actually keeps the team standing.” She smiles at Savannah. “And I cannot wait to hold her, but know better than to wake a sleeping baby.”
I’m just stepping out of the staff wing with my official badge and a check for seventy grand, which Trina said was my relocation package, and asked that I remember that the amount was confidential and I should not discuss it with future hires.
I had told her I was sure it would be far less than this, and she told me it was a standard amount for my position with a family.
“Temporary housing, furniture, those are the things it can help cover, but use it for whatever you need.”
When I walk out of the lounge, he’s coming down the hall.
Deacon.
His presence carries that calm I’ve come to crave—the kind that makes everything around him feel less complicated. Now standing beside me, I can smell clean cotton and cedar, and the freshly showered masculinity he exudes.
“Hey,” he says, voice low and even.
“Hey,” I manage, adjusting Savannah’s carrier against my hip.
“Didn’t think I’d catch you before you left.”
“Didn’t think you’d still be here.” I counter.
“I’m cleared,” he says, sliding his hands into his pockets.
“What? I thought—”
“MRI says I’m good. Going to miss tonight’s game and that will make two due to being sucker punched.” He leans in. “So that’s still something in your pocket if this goes to court.”
“Your health is important. Are they sure you’re okay?”
Of course he’s good, they wouldn’t clear him if he wasn’t.
He smirks, just slightly, and we fall into step, walking side by side down the corridor. Every sound—the squeak of my shoes, the faint hum of the air vents—feels louder than it should. My body’s soreness from the best sex of my life even intensifies.
“I can give you a ride,” he says after a moment. “If you want.”
I should say no. It’d be safer. Simpler. But I don’t. “Sure. Thanks.”
We walk in silence, our shoulders nearly brushing. He moves like someone who’s always aware of his body, who knows exactly how much space he takes up and how people react when he gets too close.
“I’ve got the name of a lawyer,” he says. “Best family attorney in the city. Already asked my lawyer to nudge them to get this dealt with quickly. The firm helped a teammate last year. I’ll text you the info if you want to talk to them.”
“You’ll text me?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
He glances over, that quiet amusement flickering in his eyes. “If you give me your number.”
I hand him my phone before I can second-guess it, allow doubt to move in. “Just don’t save me as something stupid like ‘legs.’”
He grins as he types, the faintest hint of dimples threatening to show. “Too late.”
When he hands it back, our fingers brush. The touch is brief, but it sends a shiver up my arm. I look away before he can see what it does to me, but down deep, I hope it does the same to him.
We reach the main lobby, and just as the glass doors open and Nalani walks in, folder tucked under her arm, and that unstoppable grin on her face.
“Claudia,” she says, all sunshine, bypassing me and leaning down to give Savannah a kiss on her little head. “I just have to go sign something in HR, and I’m officially the Bears’ new legal assistant.”
“That’s amazing,” I say, genuinely proud of her.
She doesn’t have to work; Koa no doubt would like her to be with him, but like me, she’s passionate about it.
“Thanks. Wait for me when I’m done? We can head to the Hen House and help Paul finish up.”
“Of course.”
Deacon steps back a little, giving us space, but his attention lingers just a second too long before his eyes drop to Savannah, who is half-asleep, her tiny fingers curled around the strap of her carrier. He leans down, “See you soon, little one.”
My chest tightens. It’s so freaking sweet. Regret follows.
“Take care, Deacon,” I say, though my voice comes out quieter than I mean it to.
He nods once and turns toward the doors. The way he moves—controlled, confident, deliberate—makes it impossible not to look. The cling of his shirt, the easy swing of his long stride, all of it’s a problem I don’t need but can’t seem to turn away from.
I tell myself to stop watching. To focus on Nalani. On anything else.