Chapter 17 #2
Everything about the space screamed money, and that was something that meant nothing to me, but everything to my gender and the future of my career.
So, I knew I could do this. I would do this.
I barely had time to breathe in the shift when a man stepped directly into my path.
“Teddy Sloane?” he asked. “I’d hoped to meet you tonight.”
The man extended a hand. He was an older—sixties, maybe—with a navy suit that probably cost more than my entire playing kit. “Gregory Talbot. My company is sponsoring part of the facilities renovation.”
Great. One of the heavy hitters. I remembered his name from the list of people here tonight.
Even cross-referenced their previous investments to see who had worked together before.
But knowing who they were on paper was less daunting than being up close and personal with them, feeling the weight of everything they controlled.
If one of the investors didn’t like me tonight, there was always a chance that they’d pull out and we’d lose funding.
Of course that could then snowball into sponsorships with brands, media—the list is long.
So prepping was necessary, even if fear still coiled under my ribs.
Charm wasn’t my strong suit, leadership was.
So that’s what I had to show them tonight.
I smoothed my expression. “Nice to meet you,” I said, taking his hand. His grip was warm, firm, confident.
“We’ve been following your career.” He continued, stepping slightly to the side to walk with him, pushing Connor ahead of us. “You’ve made quite the name for yourself.”
Compliments always made me a little uncomfortable—Connor’s still felt like a ball to the head—but I kept my response even.
“Thank you. It’s been an exciting few years.”
“Certainly looks that way.” He chuckled. “Though I imagine sharing training space with the Knights must be… interesting.”
I smiled politely. “It’s been an adjustment, but we’re adapting well. Both teams have a lot to gain from learning to operate closely.”
His gaze narrowed. “Not too closely, I hope. We wouldn’t want distractions.”
My mouth opened and closed as my brain caught up with what he was insinuating.
Sweat coated my palms as I thought of an appropriate response that wouldn’t get me in a metaphorical sin bin situation.
“Mr. Talbot,” I began. “I can assure you my team is focused on winning this season and that is their only goal.”
He nodded thoughtfully, and my stomach pinched. “I’m glad to hear that,” he said. “Focus is a valuable commodity these days. Hard to maintain.”
I kept my shoulders squared, my face politely neutral, even as the implication scraped the inside of my chest. He didn’t know us well enough. Didn’t know the hours my girls put in or the sacrifices we made to stay competitive in a world that barely treated us like professionals.
But tonight wasn’t the place for that particular narrative.
Tonight was about being steady and capable. Being someone he could trust with the resources he controlled. So I held his gaze and said, “Discipline is something we pride ourselves on.”
He hummed, considering my statement. Then offered another nod. “Well, I look forward to seeing how far you can go.”
Just as I opened my mouth to speak, Connor reappeared at my side, too close to go unnoticed. Talbot’s attention flicked immediately toward him, his smile broadening. “Connor. Good to see you, again. How is that team of yours?”
My lips pressed together, but I tried not to let the fact that he wasn’t greeted with the scrutiny I’d endured seconds ago bother me.
He clasped Mr. Talbot’s hand with easy confidence. “Good to see you, sir. The team is settling into the new arrangement with the Valkyries.”
Talbot laughed. “I knew your team would handle the challenge well.”
My jaw flexed at that, too. Logically, I knew that Connor’s team had been in the professional league for longer than ours.
I knew that it wasn’t a personal attack.
But none of that changed the fact that my relevance in this conversation had thinned to a polite shadow despite us earning the right to be here.
We were the ones who were housing the men’s team and saving their asses.
The new stadium was funded for us. Funny how quickly that had been forgotten.
“Well, send my regards to your team. I have every faith in you,” Talbot said, already moving toward the tables, not personally dismissing me. He left us, but Connor didn’t move.
“I don’t need a babysitter,” I said, keeping my eyes trained ahead.
“Good thing I’m not offering.”
Frustration fizzled under my skin, making it bubble. At least that’s what I told myself it was as I turned to whisper into his ear. “I don’t need you to save me, speak for me, or try to gain favor in conversations that are important for me and my team.”
He didn’t flinch. If anything, the space between us narrowed. “That’s not what I was doing, sunshine. Why? Did he—Did he say something to upset you?”
I ignored the latter. “I’m not your—” I sniped, but stopped myself, blowing air out of my nose. “Don’t distract me.”
He turned to move in front of me, his back to the room but facing me, stealing all my air. My body tensed as he swept his eyes all over my face. “I didn’t realize you were so easily distracted.”
Willing the frustration to simmer down, I pressed my tongue to the back of my teeth. “I’m not.”
The air felt hot and thick again, swirling between us like a tornado, just like it had in the elevator earlier.
His head dipped, his breath tickling my lips. “I was only making sure he was on his best behavior. I don’t want you to feel like you—” He shook his head. “I know this crowd. I can help you handle them.”
I lifted my chin. “I’m capable of handling these men.”
“Yes, but—”
“But nothing,” I interrupted. “I’ve got this.
” Fire rolled in my chest. I was being unreasonable, and there was some misdirected anger toward him, as well as how easily he was flustering me tonight.
I’d pendulum swung from turned on to angry and back more times than I cared to admit.
At this rate, I’d need to step outside for a minute of peace.
But first, I had to make it through this dinner.