Chapter 27 Jade
Two weeks have passed since I fully gave in to the pull I feel towards Tieran.
It’s been the best couple weeks of my life, and I wasn’t sure if I should be moderately depressed over that fact or just let it be. Happiness like this has never come easy or felt this natural, and I feel like I’m waiting for the other rugby boot to drop.
Why was it this easy? Nothing ever was.
But with Tieran, everything feels effortless.
Waking up to find him in the kitchen making me blueberry lemon pancakes, Pebble at his feet begging for scraps.
It settled something deep within me, domesticity at its finest, and I never realized how much I could want that—an easy partnership with someone.
Starting a family was never a thought because no one ever made me feel safe enough to even consider it.
But now…now, my mind is imagining all sorts of futures, and every day, every time he makes me laugh, every time he kisses me like his life depends on it, I understand more and more that my life does depend on it—him.
It’s a thought as scary as it is freeing, because I know in my bones he feels the same. I’m falling for him at a rapid rate—not because of who the world thinks he is, but because of who I know him to be.
Tieran would light up the deepest pit of Hell with his smile alone, and he makes me want to be better—bolder.
I want to see the world through his lens; trust easier, laugh more, love harder.
I want to give the world what he gives me in a cosmic sort of pay it forward.
He’s softened me in a way I didn’t know would make me stronger.
But I have no idea how we’re going to continue seeing each other when our circumstances tell us there is no future.
I can’t give up the team—he would never even let me consider it anyway—and there is no way I would jeopardize his chances of the National Team when his best shot of making it is through The Legends.
Problem solving is my thing, and I can’t find a way around this other than to continue seeing each other in secret.
An abhorrent thought. How cruel is the world that I finally want something for myself, and I can’t even have it?
Tieran deserves someone who can be proudly on his arm after what his ex put him through.
He deserves the world. I want to give it to him, but I don’t know how.
Maybe we just have to wait until after he secures his spot on the National Team before we go public. Would he be willing to wait that long?
All these thoughts crowd my mind as I walk into my office, but I halt upon seeing Lawrence Chapman hovering over the bookshelves covered in business books, personal achievement awards, and a few decorative objects. Uneasiness settles in my gut, just as it does every time I’m in his presence.
I steel my spine, because the last thing I’m willing to do is let this man see any form of intimidation. “Lawrence. What are you doing in my office without me here?”
He pops up from inspecting something on the middle shelf and holds up his hands in a supplicative gesture. “I’ve come to throw a white flag on the pitch.”
Skepticism rings alarm bells as loud as bombs detonating. “I didn’t realize we were at war,” I lie.
“Didn’t you?” When I remain quiet, he continues. “Look, I see what you’ve done for the team, for the stadium, and I have to say, I was apprehensive at first—” I scoff, but he goes on, undeterred— “but you really are quite impressive.”
Condescension sandwiched between compliments. What he means is he’s surprised someone like me could effectively lead and improve a situation he never bothered to address.
I walk over to my desk, setting my leather handbag on the surface with a definitive plop, and sit down in my chair, crossing my arms. “Why the sudden change of heart? You’ve been leading the charge on seeing me out of this office.”
“It’s simple. Money. My return on investment has gone up since you started implementing your cute little changes.”
Those cute little changes are responsible for a twenty three percent uptick in fan attendance, a ten percent raise in season pass purchases, and another thirty-four percent increase in food and beverage sales, but sure, cute and little.
“I’m glad you’re finally coming around and seeing my efforts are what’s best for the team. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
A muscle in his jaw ticks before he schools his features back into neutrality.
Years of working with egotistical men has taught me to never trust their words, but rather, the merit of their actions. While I want to believe he’s here because he wants what is best for our team, I’ll wait to see if his movements reflect his flowery speech.
I’m not going to hold my breath.
“Yes, exactly. Me as well, of course.” His hands are locked behind his hips, and he rocks back and forth on loafer-clad heels while a stiff smile resides on his face.
A pregnant silence fills the room. “Was there anything else I could help you with, Lawrence? I have a meeting in a few minutes.”
My meeting isn’t for another half hour, but something about him being here and the way he’s suddenly flipped a switch is unnerving.
“No, no. I just wanted to come in, apologize, and let you know you’ve got my support.”
“You haven’t, though.”
“Sorry?”
“You haven’t actually apologized.” He looks decidedly uncomfortable as he stares at me. I raise a single eyebrow and wave my hand through the air. “At your leisure.”
Chapman’s eyes flicker with a restrained annoyance that makes me want to laugh because of how clearly painful this is for him.
“I apologize, Miss McKallen. I underestimated you—”
“And belittled,” I add, because I can’t help myself.
“Yes, that too. I apologize for my maltreatment. We are colleagues, and I hope it can all be water under the bridge from here on out.”
Smiling politely, I say, “It’s buried under the Millennium.”
He wastes no time scampering out of my office, probably off to terrorize whoever he’s cheating on his wife with this week.
I spend the precious few minutes I have before my meeting reviewing new designs for the spring collection, drafting an email to Jaded’s developers on sample changes and call outs in quality control, before opening Instagram so I can schedule my post for upload later in the day.
When I open the app, I’m assaulted by the engagement announcement of my ex-boyfriend and my former assistant.
He holds her around her waist, pressing a kiss to her cheek that still somehow keeps his own face forward in the image as she holds her hand out, showing off her ring.
It’s beautiful, maybe the one he would have bought for me one day.
I feel nothing but a deep, bone shuddering relief that it’s not me in the photo.
Instead, I have something that feels bigger than the cosmos—someone I love, who I’m pretty sure loves me back.
I’m nervous. Why am I nervous?
Checking myself over in the mirror in the adjoining bathroom of my office, I scan the outfit I had delivered at the last minute for tonight's match.
The rich burgundy of the two piece suit makes my complexion look warmer, my amber eyes glow brighter, and, quite honestly, it makes me feel like a badass. I love it.
Quickly touching up my makeup and finger combing through my hair, I don my favorite pair of nude pumps and head out towards the VIP section of the stadium for tonight’s match.
The stands are filling as we near the start of the game.
Fans are decked out in mock team jerseys and the new Legends-specific graphic tees I designed a few weeks ago, all sporting a pint of the nation’s finest brew, Legends Lager.
My spirits lift immensely, seeing the camaraderie of the fans getting excited to come out and watch the boys play.
This is what Tieran needs to see. They’re here to watch them, even if it doesn’t pan out exactly how he wants. Just like I am. It’ll take a lot more than one rough season to get loyal rugby fans to turn their back on the team.
I pull out my phone, taking a video of what I’m seeing so I can show him, and I quickly forward it along with a text he probably won’t see until after the match.
Jade
[Video attachment]
They’re almost as excited to see you as I am.
Tieran starts typing immediately, and my heart begins to gallop in response.
Captain
If I were you, I’d be more excited to see me after the match.
Jade
Oh? Why’s that?
You’re wearing our colours, and it’s making my dick hard.
I whip my head up to see the players have made it out onto the field, standing at the sidelines, getting warmed up. Tieran shoots me a wink and nods down at my phone, forgotten in my hand the second I saw him.
Captain
I’m really hungry, love.
My cheeks flame as I scan around to make sure no one is behind me to see.
Jade
Ok, enough of that. How are you feeling?
Captain
Nervous.
Jade
Climb the mountain, baby. I’ll be cheering you on from over here.
Captain
Baby?
It was a slip of the tongue, but it feels right to be so free with my affection.
Jade
Do you have a problem?
Captain
Yes, because now all I want now is to hear you call me that while you’re in a lot less clothing.
Can I keep the heels on?
Who’s being bad now?
Have fun out there. Remember why you love it.
Three dots appear, then disappear, then appear again.
Captain
You got it, boss.
I’m smiling down at my phone like an idiot and nearly jump out of my skin when someone comes behind me on the stairs.
“Your ass looks incredible in those trousers.” I turn to see Aanya leaning against a railing, looking like a Legend herself.
She’s wearing Myles’ shirt replica, six sizes too big and belted at the waist. It stops mid-thigh, and she’s paired it with a mesh top underneath, heeled combat boots, and a host of bangles crawling up each arm.
Her winged liner is severe, so sharp, it could cut.
“You can’t even see my ass. The jacket covers it.” I laugh.
“I’m using my imagination.”
“Well, thank you. That wasn’t the goal, but it's noted.”