Chapter Twenty-Eight
Who knew taking a break would be somewhat enjoyable?
I may have already missed eleven games, but I’m finally waking up without sharp pain traveling down my leg, I’ve researched a list of back-up universities with my degree that Shay sent, worked three catering events with Mom, and Kenneth and I hung out like we used to—him puzzling and me playing video games.
And today, I explored Philadelphia.
“How’s the pain?” Isla asks as I crawl onto the cushioned table. “On a scale of one to ten?”
It’s a relief to not yelp while tugging my sweatpants off. “One, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it pain. Let’s call it soreness from yesterday’s jog and your nimble fingers.”
She pops in her earphones and pats my shin. “Good, Cade. Happy to hear that. Now let me work my magic and see if we can get you to a zero by the end of the week.”
Just like yesterday, I don’t flinch when she digs into my hip. After two years of constant twinges and pinches that left me breathless in pain, I feel fresh. And as ready as I am to get back on the field, I’m looking forward to being completely healthy when I finally do.
My phone vibrates beside me. Since Isla’s preoccupied with the heavy-metal blasting in her headphones, I might as well take the call.
“Is there a reason I’m at the ticket office and there are two tickets waiting for me?”
I chuckle. “Hello to you too, Shay.” It shouldn’t, but her exasperation brings me pleasure. “Are they good tickets at least?”
“They’re incredible!” she hisses. “Right behind the visiting team’s dugout. How did you—”
“It was easy,” I say. I may owe Dawson and Marcus a six-month supply of Mom’s famous Oreo treats for their will-call tickets, but it’s totally worth it.
My single will-call ticket is already reserved, and even though it hasn’t been picked up once all season, I won’t give it away. “Is your dad excited about the game?”
“Excited? He almost bounced out of his seat when I told him I got us tickets to the Pilots game tonight. Now that we’ve been upgraded to near the field, I might actually have to sedate him.”
Call it kismet, but Shay being in Philly for her clients’ soccer match perfectly aligned with our game.
“Good. Did he have fun at the soccer game last night?”
“Dad has fun literally anywhere. I think he liked watching me work, but this will be the highlight of his weekend. We haven’t been to a baseball game together since high school. I always told myself I’d take a day or two off from work, but I never have.”
The regret in her tone stabs at my heart. “You’re the hardest working agent. Just enjoy the game. Tonight is for y’all.”
“Yeah,” she chuckles. “I’ve missed spending time with him.”
“So, you’re not mad at me for upgrading your tickets?” I ask.
“I’m a little less upset than I was earlier. I don’t know how you did it with a sold-out game, but it’s perfect. Thank you, Cade.”
I shift closer to the left side of the table and prepare for Isla to stick needles into my hip. “You’re welcome. You deserve some happy.”
“Some what?” Her volume rises to shout over the people waiting outside the stadium. “Sorry, I can barely hear you. It’s getting crazy out here! I think they’re about to open the doors.”
There’ll be more opportunities to remind her of what she deserves.
My throat tightens, but not from pain. “Do you think your dad would like a tour later tonight? I’d love to meet him and show him around—”
“Yes.”
Her answer is so quick but sure, and I find myself smiling. “Good, because you already know my family, and they love you more than they love me. I feel like meeting your dad will be another step forward in our professional relationship.”
Shay’s little snort of laughter wraps me in a hug. “You’re making this really har—” She stops abruptly and screams something that sounds a lot like dad. “Sorry, Cade. My dad tripped getting off the bus, and oh my god. His jersey. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
I swallow hard. “Yeah. Have fun, Agent Shay. See you soon.”
I’m pretty sure she doesn’t hear me over her excitement, but I listen to her and her dad’s muffled identical laughs for a few moments before forcing myself to hang up. When I look up, Isla is watching me from behind those thick tortoiseshell glasses.
“What?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I’m between songs. Didn’t hear a word.” The mischief in her eyes gives her away, and all I can do is laugh.
I’m about to meet the father of my almost-ex, current agent, and the woman I’m never going to get over.
Dante Turner is the proudest father.
“We used to come here almost every night to watch games, and now look at us!” He drapes his arm around Marcus’s shoulder. “My baby girl has a pro baseball shortstop as a client. She went from soccer star to sports agent for one of the best agencies in North Carolina!”
They don’t look alike. Outside of their identical ebony skin, the similarities fall away. Dante’s got that friend to everyone thing going for him, all easy smiles and open body language.
Shay is the opposite: measured, cautious, and guarded.
She goes through life with so much control, careful of what parts of herself she offers to people.
Nothing about her shouts for notice, yet she draws it in anyway.
It’s quiet too, as if asking to be held rather than followed. Chosen, rather than left behind.
That’s what has always drawn me in.
“He did this throughout the entire game to the wonderful couple sitting next to us.” Shay sighs as she hands me a water bottle. “I’m pretty sure they would have moved if they could.”
“And miss an opportunity to sit next to the Dante Turner? No way.” I spin the top off and take a drink. “He’s so proud of you.”
“He tells me every single day.” Then her eyes trail from my feet to my face. “You’re standing up straight today. Good treatment?”
I nod. “Spent some extra time in the hot tub, but I’m ready for the tour when he’s done entertaining them. He’s the life of the party.”
“Always has been.” There’s a lightness to her voice as she watches her dad chat with Marcus and Dawson. Even Rio broke and grinned when Dante mentioned that Rio’s muscle tone hadn’t diminished, even though he has been out of the league for a decade.
“And his jersey?” I ask, lifting my eyebrows twice.
“Don’t let it go to your head. It has nothing to do with you,” she argues. “He just likes the number eight.”
Leaning backward, I admire the eight on the back of her WAG game jersey. “Looks like you do too.”
Ignoring me and my valid point, she waves her dad down.
The former basketball player smiles and turns to face us. Being six-foot-five, there aren’t many people who are taller than me, but it’s like looking up at Goliath as Dante jogs across the locker room toward us. He’s got at least three inches on me.
I brace for a handshake and get a full-on hug instead.
“I hope you’re a hugger because I am. I’m Dante. This wonderful woman’s father.”
“Sure am. Thank my mom for that.” Once he releases me, I grin. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard great things.”
“Likewise!” He wraps Shay in a one-armed hug. “Sorry to hear about the hip, but I’m glad you’re letting it heal. You’ve been one of my favorite players since you were at CLU! Did Shay tell you?”
My eyes fall to her. “No, sir. She never mentioned that.”
She refuses to make eye contact with me. “It wasn’t relevant.”
Dante throws his head back like that’s the funniest thing he has ever heard. “Ever since she was little, she’s liked to keep things close to the vest. Not as open as me, more like her mom.”
Rolling her eyes, Shay mutters something under her breath that sounds like this was a mistake.
His gasp is half offended and half humorous. “I’m a treasure, and you know it, Shaylene.” When he refocuses on me, I’m slightly dizzy from all the back and forth. “I’ve been watching you all season, Cade. I was a little surprised to find out you benched yourself.”
I point at his daughter. “All her. She’s the one who reminded me about what’s really important.”
Dante’s chin lifts, and I feel like I passed a test. “Shaylene has always cared about the person, not the career. So, when she puts time and energy into something, it usually turns into something good.” He pauses, keeping his eyes on me, “Real, too, if it’s meant to be.”
There’s something weird in his tone. It sounds like hope.
A sharp ring cuts through the tense silence, and Shay frowns at the phone in her hands. “Work call,” she says. “I need to take this. Be right back.”
Dante chuckles when she’s far enough away. “That girl. Doesn’t know how to turn it off.”
“Agreed, but she’s good at what she does,” I say.
“Most people don’t even catch half the things she does.
Her mom taught her well. Made sure she knew she would always have to work harder and smarter than everyone else.
Especially in a field like this. But you see everything when it comes to her, don’t you?
” His elbow jabs my side softly. “Look, I’m not trying to make this awkward, but I know you two have some kind of history.
I’ve been around long enough to be able to read a room.
Especially a room where my daughter and her heart are involved. ”
I roll my lips. “There’s honestly nothing going on between us.”
“Maybe not right now, but I see the way you look at her.”
It’s tricky to force my attention from her to her dad. “What do you mean? I look at her like she’s my agent.”
“Lies, but I love how much you respect her career. Makes me like you more, Cade.” It’s sort of terrifying how his energy has shifted.
That easy smile is still there, but there’s something more thoughtful about the shape.
“About halfway through the game, I noticed she doesn’t quite look at you.
At first, I thought it was because she doesn’t want to.
Then I realized it’s because she won’t let herself.
Like I said, she has been like this since childhood.
I can’t blame her mom for teaching her to protect herself.
To lead with her work. To put her heart on the back burner.
It keeps everything tidy, so nothing slips out of her control and hurts her. ”
Our pink sticky note comes to mind. “She likes her rules.”
“She does.” A heavy hand thuds against my shoulder.
“I’m not saying this to scare you off. Actually, the opposite.
Whatever happened between you two obviously meant a lot to her, because if it didn’t, she wouldn’t be standing here with you now.
Shay doesn’t let people in halfway. It’s full throttle or not at all. Do you want more with my daughter?”
“More than anything,” I breathe before remembering who I’m talking to. "But I’m sorta agent-zoned these days.”
Finally happy with the truth, Dante grins. “Whatever this is, whatever it becomes, just be good to her. That’s all I care about.”
Our agreement is silent. That if I have another chance, I’ll never let her go. That being good to Shay is easy, and if the opportunity arises, I’ll be good to her until the day I take my last breath.
“What did I miss?” Shay asks, eyes darting between the two of us.
“Nosy much?” As if a switch flips, Dante moves from protective father to energetic puppy, grabbing one of her braids. “I was just telling him how lucky he is to be working with you. They don’t make agents like you anymore.”
She narrows her eyes. “Uh-huh.”
And I swear, for a brief moment, she knows exactly what was said and is too scared to ask. She isn’t ready to hear those words yet. She may never be ready for them, but it doesn’t matter because I’ll be right here no matter what she chooses.
“So,” I say. “How about that tour?”