Chapter 28 #2
The guys bombard me with fist bumps, back slapping, and Leo saying, “I knew it was going to happen!”
Jaxon extends his fist for a bump. “For what it’s worth, Coach, thanks for not decking me at that Christmas party.”
I laugh, bumping his fist. “Actually, I should be thanking you.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “For what?”
“For asking her to the party in the first place. If you hadn’t, I might never have done something about my feelings.”
“Glad I could help.” He grins. “Even if I did think you were going to punch me for about three solid minutes.”
“So, when’s the announcement going public?” Brax asks.
“Whoa, slow down,” I say, holding up my hands. “We need to get through the wedding first.”
“But it’s historic!” Leo interrupts. “Coach Marco finally admits he has feelings.”
“Okay, okay.” I check over my shoulder to make sure Jakowski and Jenkins aren’t paying attention. “Listen, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but maybe keep this quiet for now. I’m already dealing with enough heat this week.”
“What’s going on?” Tate asks.
I figure he’ll find out anyway since Lauren’s involved. “There’s an article making the rounds that said the only reason I have this job is because of nepotism, and that I’m the one responsible for your loss.”
“Who said that?” Leo asks, furious.
I shake my head. “That’s not important.”
“But that reporter needs to be set straight,” Brax adds. “Anyone who doesn’t see how hard you make us work is blind.”
Their support catches me off guard. “I appreciate that. But the best thing you could do is prove him wrong by showing up on Sunday and winning.”
“Coach Marco!” Jakowski snaps from across the rink. “Thanks for finally joining us.”
I press my lips together, trying to ignore the sarcasm.
“Now will you stop gossiping with the players and get over here?” he says.
“Sorry, guys,” I tell the team. “Party’s over.”
I join Jakowski and Jenkins on the other side of the rink. Neither of them looks happy.
“What’s up?” I ask, settling into a seat across from them.
“Jakowski tells me you haven’t submitted the report on San Diego yet,” the head coach says.
I turn to Jakowski. “I asked if you’d finish it since I had to take time off for my sister’s wedding week. Remember?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t think you did. You must have forgotten to ask.” It’s impressive how smoothly he lies.
I clench my teeth, anger rising in my chest. I have no proof that I asked him other than my word. And he knows it.
I rub the back of my neck. “I’ll work on it this afternoon.”
“Good. Just get it to my inbox by tonight.” The head coach stands. “For what it’s worth, Marco, I know you didn’t drop the ball on this one.” He doesn’t wait for a response. “But I need the report, regardless.”
Jenkins walks away, and I whirl around toward Jakowski. “You know, lying to make me look bad isn’t the way to build a team. It’s sad you can’t be a better example for the players.” Then I leave him sitting there, too stunned to respond.
I head to my office, pulling up the half-finished report and queuing up game footage. The tux shop closes at three, which means I’ll need to leave by two thirty to make it in time.
Twenty minutes later, there’s a knock at my door. “Come in.”
Rafael stands in the doorway, his expression serious. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
I motion toward a seat. “Be my guest.”
He doesn’t take it. Just stands on the other side of my desk, studying me. “Jenkins mentioned the San Diego report,” he says finally. “Everything under control?”
“I’m working on it now. I’ll have it to him by tonight.”
“Good.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “I wanted to talk to you about something else, actually.”
“What’s that?”
“Scarlett Rossi.”
I glance up, unsure if this is a professional conversation or a personal one.
“You two seem serious,” he says, keeping his face guarded. He’s like all the Marco men that way.
Okay, so this is a personal conversation. I lean back in my chair. “We are.”
“For someone who never dates, that happened pretty quickly.” His tone is flat, but it doesn’t hide the questions underneath. “The last time we spoke, you were just bringing her as a plus-one to the wedding. Now it’s serious.”
“It’s always been for me.” I keep my voice even so he’ll drop the subject. “I’ve known Scarlett for over a decade. This isn’t some whirlwind romance.”
“I see.” He pauses, his face still giving nothing away. “And the timing doesn’t concern you?”
“What timing?”
“Her vendor application was submitted right around the time you started bringing her around.” He holds up a hand before I can respond. “I’m not accusing anyone of anything. I’m just asking questions.”
I lean back in my chair, suddenly uncomfortable with this conversation. “What exactly are you asking?”
“I’m asking if you’re certain about her motives.” His voice is concerned now. “You’re my nephew. You have things that people want, things like connections and opportunities. It wouldn’t be the first time someone saw those things as attractive.”
I can’t tell my uncle that the vendor contract was part of an arrangement I proposed. It would make Scarlett look manipulative, when really it’s anything but that—she’s trying to save her family’s business and take care of her dad. That’s not her using me.
“Scarlett’s not like that,” I say, defending her. “I promise you that.”
“I’m sure she’s not.” Then he hesitates, rubbing his chin. “Brendan, you have to understand my concern. If I give her this contract and your relationship doesn’t work out, it creates complications for the organization.”
Defensiveness shoots through me. “So you’re saying you won’t hire her because we’re together?”
“No, I’m saying I need to be certain she wants the contract because she’s the best candidate, not because she’s dating you. That’s fair, isn’t it?”
I want to defend Scarlett against my uncle’s accusations. But I force myself to think strategically, like he would.
Getting defensive will only cast extra suspicion on us and hurt Scarlett’s chances further. Her family needs this opportunity more than my uncle could ever understand, and I can’t let my pride stand in the way of that.
“Yes,” I finally concede, even though I don’t like it. “But I need you to know two things.”
“Go ahead,” he says.
“No one would be more committed to this opportunity than Scarlett Rossi. She’s been running her family’s business for years, keeping it alive under difficult circumstances. She knows what dedication looks like, and she will not let you down.”
He looks unmoved. “And second?”
“This isn’t some short-term fling between us.” I hold his gaze. “We’re committed; there’s no question about that. So whatever decision you make about the contract, make it based on her qualifications and her business reputation in the community, not on whether you think our relationship will last.”
“I understand,” he says, turning to leave. He looks back at me, one hand on the knob. “But, Brendan? Make sure you know what you’re getting into. For both your sakes.”
“I do,” I say, my voice sure. “And I choose her.”
He holds my gaze for a few seconds. “Just remember you have a job to do. A lot rides on how this team finishes the season. Do we understand each other?”
Loud and clear.
The door closes behind him and I try to focus on the report for the next hour, but Rafael’s words keep circling back, intruding into my thoughts. The Rossi’s cafe is depending on this. And if my relationship with Scarlett is the reason she loses the opportunity…
I can’t think about that right now.
By the time I glance back at the clock, my heart lurches. 2:40. The tuxes.
I send the report quickly and sprint to my car. I make it to the shop with minutes to spare, grab the garment bags, and drive back to the estate.
When I walk through the door, Scarlett is coming down the stairs, and the moment she sees me, her whole face glows.
She runs over and throws her arms around my neck. For a few seconds, I just hold her in my arms. Nothing matters as much as this.
“It’s only been a few hours,” I murmur into her hair, breathing in her floral scent.
“I know, but I missed you.” She pulls back, searching my face. “How was your day?”
“Long.” I don’t want to get into all my problems when she’s looking at me like that. “But it’s better now.”
Her hands slide to my shoulders. “You’re all tight. What happened?”
“Just work stuff.” I catch her hands, bringing them to my lips. “Nothing I can’t handle. Especially now that you’re here.”
She doesn’t push me for details, just plays with the hair at the nape of my neck, making it very difficult to think about anything else. “Well, you’re home now. And Carmen’s freaking out about the rehearsal dinner tonight, so you need to get changed.”
“How formal are we talking for tonight’s shindig?”
“Very. She’s doing a full run-through of the ceremony, and she’ll be upset if you’re late.” She takes my hand, tugging me upstairs. “Come on, let’s get you ready.”
I let her pull me along, then spin her back toward me. “Does getting ready involve you helping me out of this shirt? Because I have very fond memories from last night.”
She laughs. “Nice try, Coach Marco. But you’re on your own this time.”