Chapter 20
Chapter
Twenty
CHLOE
“So while I was at the game the other night, I realized that we have the kid of the night that gets to ride on the Zamboni, but we don’t explain anywhere how they are chosen. So I think before they come out, we show a little thing that explains how we choose them,” I bring up to the team.
“How do we choose them?” Malik asks.
“That’s my point. I mean, I have a niece who would love that. So how would she qualify? Would she?” I point out.
Sarah does a quick search on her computer. “It looks like they pay for the experience. They have to put a request in and hold tickets to the game they are chosen for, and then they pay a fee for the experience.”
I frown. “Really? I don’t like that. We only take two per game, right? Is the money really worth it?”
Randy hums. “How else would we choose?”
“I think that we make it fair for all the children. It shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. What about the kids’ club?” I ask.
“Well, that costs money too,” Sarah points out.
“Yeah, but not a lot. It wouldn’t be another fee on top of that one.
They would get the opportunity to enter their name to ride the Zamboni.
I think they should still already have tickets to the game to qualify.
Maybe we open the form up forty-eight hours before the game?
We pick the morning of and contact the winner. ” I look around the table.
“That could work. We would have to pose it to the higher-ups. It would be taking money from some budget, I’m sure,” Randy points out.
“It might get more kids’ club sign-ups, though. I know as a child I was always mesmerized by the Zamboni. I think it will be good for the organization,” I tell them.
“We will pitch it. Any other ideas?” Sarah asks.
“What about concessions? We underutilize them. We could have little ads that play up there for the team. Maybe showing merchandise from the shop?” Malik proposes.
“Oh, that would be cool. You see a shirt you like and go to the shop, and there it is. We can do a different featured item each game,” I add.
“That would be cool,” Randy says.
A knock on the door has us turning.
“Miss Spears, you are needed upstairs,” Lucy, the receptionist, says.
“Oh. Okay. I’ll be back, I guess,” I tell them.
They continue to chat as I follow Lucy out. I feel nervous. Why am I nervous?
“Did they say why they wanted to see me?” I ask.
“No. Only that Mr. Gibson wants to see you in his office.”
My nerves fade at her words.
Brantley. What is he up to now?
Instead of taking the elevator, I take the stairs. It’s only one flight, so I’m upstairs in no time. When I step out of the stairwell, Louis is sitting at his cubicle. He looks at me suspiciously as I walk by. I ignore him, knocking on Brantley’s door.
“Come in,” he calls.
I step inside, closing the door behind me. “You wanted to see me, sir?” I use my most sultry tone.
He smiles at me as he stands from his desk. “I did. I hear there is this new girl down in marketing who is shaking things up. You wouldn’t know about her, would you?”
Slowly, we move toward one another as we chat.
“Well, Sarah isn’t new, but she does kick ass,” I inform him.
“Yes, she does. It’s why she’s the lead. She’s not who I’m talking about, though.” He reaches out for me, pulling me into his chest.
“No?” I ask.
“Nope. The girl I’m thinking of is chaotic yet beautiful. She has these wonderfully out-of-the-box ideas that are changing this organization for the better. Have you met her?” he asks.
“Hmm. Nope. Haven’t met her yet, but she sounds pretty amazing.”
He leans in, kissing me softly. “Yeah, she is. I missed you.”
“It’s been like hours,” I tell him.
“Way too many.”
“What are you going to do for the next away game?” I quirk my eyebrow at him.
“Stuff you in my pocket and take you with me,” he deadpans.
“Oh yeah. I think I might fit too since there isn’t much else going on in your pants, there is plenty of room.”
He growls, nipping my ear. “I can show you again how much of a mouthful I am.”
“It’s easy. My mouth is small and dainty, like me.”
“Fucking whiplash. That’s what I’m going to call you. Always with the comebacks.”
“You gotta be quicker to keep up with me. Is there a reason you called me up here other than you missed me?” I ask coyly.
“Nope. I wanted a kiss, and what is the point of owning this team if I can’t use my power to get my girl up here whenever I want.”
I look around the office before smirking. “I did tell Liv and Adri that my goal was to fuck you in here. Want to give it a go?”
I push up on my tiptoes to nip his bottom lip. He groans, but before he can take it any further, there’s a knock at the door. It opens before Brantley gives permission.
“We have a meeting in five,” Louis calls in.
I pull away from Brantley, my cheeks red.
“Don’t enter my office without permission. I’m aware of our meeting. You can go now,” Brantley answers him coolly.
“Of course. My apologies.”
He shuts the door as Brantley sighs. “I am taking a rain check on that. I really do need to go, though. It’s going to be a late night for me, so I wanted to grab a kiss while I can.”
“How thoughtful of you.” I lean up, kissing him again. “I’ll see you whenever you get home. Miss me.”
“Always do,” he responds.
I walk out of the office to find Louis standing outside. He sneers at me.
“You will be his ruin,” he tells me.
“Maybe, but it’s really none of your business now, is it?” I quirk, walking away.
I trip three steps away, landing on the ground. I take a deep breath, refusing to look back at him as I pull myself back to my feet.
I try not to let his words bother me, but they do. It’s what I have been telling myself from the beginning. How could we work?
I head back down to my floor with the thoughts plaguing me.
This time. I take the elevator.
brANTLEY
Chloe is a force, but Lord knows I don’t want it to stop. She is feisty as hell, and I love it. Not to mention adventurous.
I hadn’t thought about fucking her on my desk until she brought it up, but now it’s all that’s on my mind.
I could move my meeting.
I push the thought away. I need to start thinking with the right head. My dick can get him some later.
Stepping out of my office, I find Louis waiting.
“I can walk myself to the meeting,” I tell him.
“I know, but then I couldn’t give you the advice that you pay me for. That girl is trouble.”
I want to punch him. I manage to withhold the feeling, though.
“Don’t talk about Chloe. She is none of your business.”
“Isn’t she, though? You hired me to help guide you through making this team something great.
You have taken some of my advice, and look, the team is thriving.
I’m telling you, she is going to ruin your image.
She is a walking fucking disaster. She can’t even walk straight.
Is that who you want representing you at events and in the public eye?
You might not be a player or a coach, but you are the owner.
What you do with your life reflects on this team. ”
I stop outside the conference room door.
“The man who is sitting in that room right there? He only agreed to sponsor us because that girl you can’t stand made an impression on his wife.
Those new openings that fans are raving about?
The ones that they are making sure to be in their seats to see?
Yeah, that was her idea. She brought that to life.
Is she quirky? Yes. Does she have her flaws?
Show me a human who doesn’t. She is an amazing asset to this organization.
As for how she fits into my personal life?
You can fuck right off. That is not and will never be any of your concern.
I suggest you disappear for the rest of the day.
I’m really fucking close to saying fuck your advice. ”
He swallows, looking properly chastised. “You’re right. I overstepped. I am passionate about the Foxes, and I let it cloud my judgment. It won’t happen again. Please accept my apologies. I hope this won’t affect our working relationship going forward.”
I shake my head. “Go back to your desk. I can handle this on my own.”
He nods, walking away without a word. I rub my face before stepping into the room.
“Mr. Graceland, nice to see you again.”
“You as well. I hear we have a contract ready. My people have read it, and I assume yours have too?”
I shake his hand, taking the seat across from him.
“They did. I’m sorry this has taken so long to get together. The amendments you suggested were agreeable. I’m glad that we are able to enter into this together. I think this will be a partnership that will be beneficial for us both,” I tell him.
“I do as well. I can’t wait to have my IPAs be the beer of the Boston Foxes. I also have my eye on a few of your players for individual sponsorship deals. Do you mind if I approach them?”
“Of course not. They handle their individual sponsorships on their own or through their agent. I would never get in the way of that.”
“That’s great to hear. Let’s get these papers signed then.”
“Of course.” I pull out my phone and text our notary, and she enters the room a few minutes later. “This is Destiny. She’s our notary. We are ready to get started.”
It takes thirty minutes to go through page by page, initialing everywhere we need to. Then Destiny points out where we are required to sign and explains exactly what we are signing.
Once it’s all over, she gets up with the papers and goes to make copies for us.
“Well, I’m glad to be working with you. How is that girlfriend of yours? I guess she and Hannah have been texting back and forth.”
I laugh. “Why am I not surprised? She’s good. She is thriving at her new job. She has me, but I don’t know if that’s necessarily a good thing. Depends on the day, I guess.”
He chuckles. “That is what it’s like when you find a woman to love. One day you are her hero, but the next day you are the reason she contemplates murder.”
“You’re telling me. It’s like every day is an adventure with her.”
“Would you have it any other way?” he asks.
“Not for a second.”
“Good man. Hannah says she is a lot of fun,” he adds.
“She is a character, that’s for sure. That’s what I like most about her, though.
She is authentically herself, which will rub some people the wrong way, but I like when she is loud and boisterous.
When she laughs too loud, I want to make her laugh louder.
It’s crazy how she started as my friend’s girlfriend’s best friend, and now I can’t associate her with anyone but me.
” I rub my hand on my face. “I’m sorry, that was a lot to say to a business contact. ”
He waves me off. “I love seeing a man in love. Don’t ever apologize for that. It wouldn’t matter if she was quiet and demure. Some people wouldn’t like her. That’s the way the world works. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. All that matters is what you feel right here.” He taps his chest.
“I never said I loved her,” I tell him.
“You didn’t have to. The way you speak about her says it for you. Don’t be a fool, though. Tell her how you feel. A woman needs to hear it, and often. They may say they don’t, but trust me. Say the words. Don’t shy away from them.”
I clear my throat. “She’s a skittish one. I’m not sure she’s ready to hear them.”
“Then show her until she’s ready to hear it.”
“Wise words,” I tell him.
“When you’ve been married over a decade, you learn a thing or two. That girl is something special. Don’t let her slip through your fingers.”
Destiny comes back then, handing a copy of the paperwork to Mr. Graceland. He takes it, standing as he holds out his hand.
I shake it.
“Thank you for the advice,” I tell him.
“Anytime. I look forward to seeing what you do with this team.”
I nod as he walks out the door. and I think about Chloe as I walk back to my office.
I do love her. I’ve known it for a while, but am I showing her?