Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
By Thursday, Ezra, Kendall, and I have come up with a plan, and all we need to do is implement it and hope it works out.
I’m terrified it’ll backfire and I’ll lose my job, or Ezra will be forced to move to a different team, but after spending the past few weeks avoiding him, I can’t go through that again, especially with how I feel about him.
I’m in love with Ezra Gentry, and even though we haven’t said the words out loud, I believe he feels the same way.
It’s in the small things he does, like show up with my regular coffee order before work, or sneaking packs of sour gummy worms into my purse.
He showed me our finished mugs when we got back on Sunday, and I teared up a little when I saw it matched the trinket dish, and cereal bowl we’d made.
We made two more matching mugs in pottery class yesterday, and he insisted on carving half hearts in each of ours, so when we put them together it makes a complete one.
He even engraved our initials, which should have been cheesy and ridiculous, but it made my heart swell and believe that whatever happens, as long as we’re together, it’ll be okay.
Ezra made an appointment for us to talk to Melanie today, and we agreed that no matter what—if they want to fire me, or transfer Ezra—we’re going to make it work.
I can get another job, or Ezra and I can do long-distance if we need to for a short time.
Not being together isn’t an option for either of us.
After practice, Ezra showers and meets me in my office.
“Ready?” he asks, leaning against the doorway.
I zip up my bag and hang it over my shoulder, taking a deep breath. I glance around the small room, realizing I still haven’t added any personal touches yet. It’s possible that now I never will. This very well may be the last time I see these walls.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
The short walk to Melanie’s office feels like walking up a mountain, and with every step closer, my anxiety spikes higher. When I can’t stop fidgeting with my necklace, Ezra gently grips my fingers and gives them a reassuring squeeze.
“Whatever happens, we’re in this together, yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. We’re going to be okay, Sutt.”
I hope he’s right. I wish I shared the same confidence he does, the same optimism, but I don’t.
Melanie’s door is open when we reach it, so Ezra knocks on the door frame.
“Come on in, Mr. Solomon and I were just finishing up our conversation,” Melanie says, nodding to the team owner, and my eyes widen.
Oh shit.
Mr. Solomon can’t be much older than his mid-forties, with dark brown, almost black hair and pale blue eyes. The only thing that gives away his age is the slight bit of gray at his temples and in his beard, giving him that salt-and-pepper look.
He stands as he enters, giving us each an enthusiastic handshake.
“Heard the game Saturday was a bit of a rough one. How’s your shoulder?” He asks Ezra.
“I’m fine now. Just a bit of a strain. I should be fine for the rest of the season.”
“Glad to hear it. With the gala happening soon, we wouldn’t want anything to keep you from dancing. Well, I’ll let you two discuss whatever it is you need to with Mel—” He clears his throat”—Ms. Cross. We’ll continue our conversation later. Have a good evening.”
“You as well, Mr. Solomon.”
As soon as he leaves, Melanie’s pleasant smile falters slightly. Her piercing green eyes bounce between me and Ezra as she motions for us to take a seat in the chairs across from her desk.
“When Ezra requested an appointment with me, I was under the impression he would be alone, so I’m a bit surprised to see you here as well, Sutton. What can I do for you?”
Ezra glances at me, and although it’s brief, I see the affection and surety in his gaze. As he rolls his shoulders back, I hold my breath.
“We would like to file a disclosure of our romantic relationship.” The only indication that Melanie is shocked is the slight lift of her eyebrows, so Ezra continues.
“We weren’t completely honest last time you called us in here.
At the time Mr. Jonesberg came to you to tell you we were dating, we weren’t.
We didn’t lie about telling him that to keep him away from Sutton, but things…
developed past a strictly friendly relationship. ”
“So you are dating?” Melanie clarifies, clicking her pen as she leans back in her chair. “Miss. Brady I asked you point blank and you assured me you were not. I can tell you, if nothing else, this team relies on honesty. Lying will not be tolerated.”
“We weren’t dating when you asked. I didn’t lie, but we are dating now,” I say quietly. “After that meeting we—I—tried to stay away from Ezra to keep things entirely platonic and professional, but—”
“We both tried, but—”
“But, you’re in love with each other,” Melanie finishes for us with a heavy sigh.
She spins in her chair and rifles around in the filing cabinet behind her before producing two pieces of paper.
“I’m going to have to disclose this to Coach James, Dr. Kipp, and Mr. Solomon.
” When she spins back around she pins us both with her no nonsense glare that she usually reserves for Kendall.
“Sutton, you know you won’t be able to treat Ezra at all, and I can’t guarantee Dr. Kipp won’t want to find a replacement for you. This could cause a myriad of issues for the team, especially if it ends poorly.”
“I understand,” I whisper, filling out the disclosure form.
“I don’t,” Ezra says.
“What exactly do you need clarification on, Mr. Gentry?”
“Sutton and I fought like hell to not give into our feelings. Even after we pursued a physical relationship, her work ethic never changed.This isn’t some teenage romance where we’ll move on in the next week.”
“Matters of the heart have no place in business, Mr. Gentry.”
“Of course they do, it’s the entire reason I’ve been distracted lately. I was heartbroken after she cut things off because she thought she had to in order to keep her job.”
“You’re proving my point by bringing up your performance at the last game. Whatever the consequences of your decision to be together are, you need to be able to accept them.”
Ezra’s hand lands on my thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze because he can tell I’m nervous. “As long as Sutton’s by my side, we’ll be able to get through anything.”
Melanie looks entirely unimpressed by Ezra’s romantic declaration. “I hope you’re right.” She turns to her computer, her fingers immediately flying over the keyboard. I’m sure she’s emailing Mr. Solomon and Dr. Kipp right now to tell them about our relationship.
As soon as we’ve signed the disclosure, she dismisses us, and the weight of uncertainty settles on my shoulders.
Is Dr. Kipp going to think I’m some incompetent, love-struck fool, and fire me because of this?
Will Coach punish Ezra for his distraction?
Will Mr. Solomon want to avoid any potential drama or team scandal and decide to terminate both of us?
The answers will come in time I know, but they’ll eat away at me until they are. As we exit the stadium and are hit with the warm afternoon sun, I let myself pause to soak it in and take a deep breath.
“Hey,” Ezra whispers, interlacing our fingers. “Everything is going to be okay.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I love you, Sutton.”
My breath hitches at his simple yet powerful declaration. “I love you, too, Ezra.”
The smile that breaks across his face eases some of my worry.
“What if we lose our jobs over this?”
“Then we’ll find new ones.”
He takes a step forward like he’s going to kiss me, but stops before he does and glances around us. When he sees a few of his teammates over in the distance, he drops his hands.
“Come on, let’s go home and—”
I don’t let him finish the sentence. I grip him by his t-shirt and pull his face down to mine, sealing our lips together. He doesn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around my waist, smiling against my mouth when I let out a soft sigh of relief.
After having to hide our relationship for so long, it’s freeing to be able to kiss him openly. It’s invigorating to know there’s no question about where his heart belongs. Because he is mine, and I am his and whatever happens, I know that will never change.
A loud whoop from behind us is what breaks our kiss, and we turn to find Kendall beaming at us as he slowly claps, and walks toward us.
“It’s good to see you lovebirds have freed yourself from your cage and are out in the open now. You’re welcome,” he says with a dramatic bow.
“What are we thanking you for?” I ask.
“I’m the reason you two are together!”
At that declaration, I look at Ezra who looks down at me, raises a single eyebrow, and we both burst into laughter.
“No, dude. You’re not.”
“Am so.”
“Kendall, if anything you made it harder because you were always around.”
“That—” He stops, realizing I’m right, and his face takes on a haughty expression as he admits it.
“That may be true, but I’ve been pushing Z to get his shit together and make a move for months.
I’ve been staying at my other apartment to finally give you two an opportunity to be alone, though I don’t understand why you can’t just fuck at Sutton’s place. ”
“Kendall, man, shut up. Please,” Ezra sighs as my face heats to a million degrees.
“See if I help you with your love life again after the lack of thanks.” Kendall scoffs.
“I won’t need help, because Sutton and I are together for real. Made it official with HR and everything.”
“That’s great, you two. Really, I’m happy for you both. God, love must be coming in with the spring allergies. My brother just got married, and now you two are together. Wait! Who will I be a love guru for now? Do you think Webby or Mackey need my assistance?”
“I don’t know. Neither of them really seem like they want to date anyone right now.”
“I’m sure that’ll change. Then I’ll be able to put my skills to use.” He pulls his phone from his pocket, his brows furrowing as he reads whatever’s on the screen. “Gotta run. Catch you two lovebirds later.”
We wave him off, and Ezra laces our fingers together and drags me to his car. “I know just how to celebrate our milestone.”
“Oh yeah, how’s that?”
“You’ll see.”
Ezra eyes the plate of sweet potato fries warily, taking a bite of his mozzarella sticks instead.
“You don’t have to try them,” I say, dipping a few into the homemade fry sauce. The tangy, smoky flavor balances the sweetness from the honey, making this the perfect addition to my chicken sandwich.
“You were willing to try raw fish, so I can try these. That was our deal.”
He takes a sip of water, then rubs his hands together before taking a deep breath like he’s about to perform open heart surgery, instead of trying a food he already knows he doesn’t like.
Gripping one singular fry between his fingers, he dips it in the fry sauce then brings it to his mouth, and shoves the whole thing in his mouth.
He chews thoughtfully, his head tipped to the side, eyes closed as he lets the flavors hit his tastebuds. I expect him to scrunch his nose in disgust like he used to do as a teen, but he doesn’t. As his throat bobs with a swallow, he opens his eyes and grabs another fry.
“Okay, fine. These are pretty good. I don’t understand how the fry sauce mixes so well with the honey, but it’s fantastic.”
“Next, we’ll try the sweet chili glazed brussel sprouts.”
“One thing at a time, pretty girl. There are a few other things I’d like to try with you first.”
“I assume you’re not talking about food.”
“Nope. But it does involve something I can eat.”
Oh god.
“Is this how it’s going to be, now? You’re going to just… say those things out in public? What if someone hears?”
“Then let them hear how much I adore you. Let them hear how incredible I think you are, and how much I want you every minute of every hour. I don’t care if anyone overhears how much I love you, Sutton. It’s not a secret anymore, and it never will be again.”
“This is all so new to me. I’ve never been anyone’s entire focus before.”
He lifts my hand from the table and brushes a kiss along my knuckles. “Get used to being shown off, baby. Because I refuse to keep my feelings quiet now that you know.”