Chapter Three #2
“There is absolutely no pressure. If you do, you do, and I can order another one. If you don’t want it, then please don’t feel like you have to, and I will eat it, so it is not wasted. It is your choice.”
Surprised, she put down her fork. Hesitating, her hands made a claw as if her body was deciding for her, and her mind was against it.
Louis said and did nothing, giving her this time to decide.
Slowly, she picked up a quarter of the burger and took a bite.
That groan told him how much she enjoyed it, and it put a huge smile on his face.
He had done that. Well, more accurately, he had helped. Rosie had actually done it, taking a new step in life.
“Fair is fair, I corrupted you.” Leaning back, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Now I will do outreach for you. You want me to talk to a sponsor or do a photoshoot, I will not argue.”
Chewing softly and covering her mouth, she did not respond until she swallowed. “But you said there was no pressure, therefore there should be no prize.”
“I did.” He nodded. “But you trusted me, and that is awesome. It is only fair that I show you that same trust.”
That smile on her face was so shy. “Thank you.” She picked up another quarter. Her eyes went wide as she noticed the time on her watch. “Do you not need to train? The game is in a few hours.”
“I am not playing today, so I am not really needed,” he answered. “I have a lot going on, and I am waiting for a phone call. It was decided it was best that I did not play today as I am distracted. Besides, I train so much, I think the team are glad I am taking a break.”
Meeting his gaze, she asked, “Do you mind if I ask why you are distracted? Can I help at all?”
Of course she had to ask. It was her job to know about any issues; in case they became bigger issues that affected the business. Luckily, it didn’t directly affect him, unless he went to prison for fighting someone he really wanted to whack, but he was touched that she cared enough to ask.
“As it isn’t work related, and not my issue, I am not comfortable talking about it.”
Emerald deserved her privacy.
“Are you sure?” Rosie frowned. “Perhaps you can leave out names, and I can offer advice? If you are distracted, it is sort of my realm because my job is to give you less things to worry about.”
Smiling, he slowly shook his head. “That is really sweet of you, but there really isn’t much you can do.
If it affected the team, I would tell you.
This issue won’t. It is nothing personal against you, I just want to respect the person involved their need to just get through it without it being talked about by strangers. ”
Playing with the straw in her drink, she frowned. “But if your emotions are holding you back from playing, is it not affecting the team?”
Okay, she had him there.
“It is in a way. But I trust them to play their best. I am not leaving the arena, so if I am needed, I will be there for them.
“Besides, it is currently a waiting game. I don’t know what is happening, and that phone call will tell me. Once I know the outcome, I can relax.” Or get really, really mad.
“I get that.” Staring at him, she added, “Well, let me change the subject then. Why do you work so hard? You just said you trained a lot. Do you not give yourself a break?”
That was a safe topic to talk about. “In a way, I am selfish. Training hard means I have a better chance to succeed. But there is also fear. I don’t want to let my team down.
As their captain, I want to lead them at the best of my ability.
I rest when I feel I need to, otherwise I train.
The more I train, the better I can be for them. ”
“You are a great captain. They are lucky to have you.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate hearing that.” That was the truth. It was very rare he heard it, so feeling his efforts were being seen meant a lot.
“But rest is also good. A tired body is not good for a game,” Rosie added. “Your team are right to worry.”
“I know. But I have never been one to sit still.”
Rosie enjoyed another bite of her burger while Louis ordered another one. Once his burger arrived, he was careful with his manners so not to insult her but ate quickly so he didn’t keep her waiting. She had pushed her plate away with half the burger left, now full.
As they were finished with their meal, he asked. “Are you ready to head back?”
Smiling, she nodded. “I am if you are.”
Getting the bill paid and the rest of the burger boxed up while the pair of them got ready to leave, he handed it to Rosie when it returned. She could enjoy it later if she wished. With a soft smile, she happily claimed it and popped it in her bag.
Side by side, they headed back to the arena. Once in the building, Rosie hesitated. Today was a baby step toward a better relationship, and he would not push her beyond what she was ready. It didn’t mean he wouldn’t ask and reassure her if he could.
“Want to meet the rest of the team properly?”
Gulping, she nodded. “Let me get rid of my bag first.”
Her steps to her office were slow, and she was trembling with nerves. Louis had no intention of speeding her up, and if she changed her mind for today, he would respect that.
The fact that she was nervous and was still willing to follow him once her bag was dropped off really impressed him. It meant she wanted to change, and make an effort, but was naturally worried about how it would be received.
Heading to the gym, Louis led the way and kept the conversation light. The room went deadly silent as they stepped in. The only one that was welcoming was Hank, which was not surprising.
“Hi, Rosie!” Hank shouted and walked over to give her a brief hug.
Hang on. Hank was hugging her?
“Hi, Hank.”
Raising an eyebrow, Louis watched them. Letting her go, Hank stepped back. Noticing Louis’s expression, his friend mocked him with a grin.
“You got it bad,” Hank mouthed.
Er . . .
I mean you can’t argue with that logic. You just got jealous real fast. And Hank is gay. Hank is friends with Rosie; it is nothing romantic.
Scowling, he focused on the rest of his team. Everyone else was still staring, waiting for an explanation.
“To make outreach and talking to sponsors easier, Rosie needs to learn about each of you,” Louis announced. “So, in the next week or so, make an appointment with her so she can cater outreach to your needs, and interests.”
There was some huffing.
“Look, I get it. We have all been shouted at by Rosie, but this is her job. We need to help her help us. The sooner you do it, the sooner it is done.”
That was when his phone went off. Judging by the ringtone, it was Vince. Relieved to be hearing from him, he started heading out the door.
“Excuse me. Hank, could you do the official introductions for me? Rosie needs a better idea of who is who and a basic understanding of their personalities to start getting to work with.”
Hank gave a sharp nod. “Of course.”
Rosie may have met them either in her office or around the building, but official introductions would make her job easier.
Heading out the door for some privacy, he made sure to keep watching through the little window in case of any problems.
Accepting the video call, his cousin’s face appeared on the little screen.
“Hey, Vince. How did it go?” There was absolutely no point asking how he was. Louis could see it.
“Hey, Oldie.”
Vince appeared so tired and defeated, which told Louis it was bad news.
Brown eyes were red from lack of sleep. Black hair was messy from stress as his hands had run through it many times.
He sounded beyond frustrated and disappointed.
The past few months had been gruelling. Today was the result.
Whatever happened, at least it was at an end.
“It was bad. Expected, but bad. He took half of everything.”
Louis snarled and nearly hit a wall in anger. He held back, not wanting anyone to see him in that state. It wouldn’t help anyone and would likely just injure him in the process. Instead, he took a deep breath.
“I should have been there!”
“And done, what?” Vince asked gently. “We needed you out of the way to protect your job.”
Didn’t that hurt. His career was so much in the spotlight, if anyone caught wind of his anger, it would be all over the news and social media.
Not that that bothered him, but he didn’t want his sister’s problem where everyone could see it.
He had stayed away to protect Emerald. Not only that, but they were also hours away.
Management wouldn’t let him travel in case he had issues getting back, missed training, or punched the man that broke Emerald’s heart.
That would be really bad if that was caught on camera.
Which could put him in prison or in the middle of a lawsuit.
Although they both looked up to him like a big brother, they had all decided it was best he stayed away to make it as easy as possible on Emerald.
I’m not there for my little sister, because I would make it worse. And it made him feel guilty. Not because he would make it worse, but his career. The spotlight. The vultures.
Vince winced. “Sorry, Oldie. I didn’t mean it like that.
I am just super tired and not thinking straight.
Of course we needed you, but we decided what was best for you and Emerald.
Besides, it was a good thing you stayed away.
It means I don’t have a partner in crime to help deal with him if I have to. ”
Louis’s jaw dropped. “Are you thinking you and Emerald might have issues?”
That stressed him out. Harold could be nasty when he wanted to be. Louis just wanted Emerald to be free of him, but what if he continued upsetting her?
“Maybe. There are no signs. Not yet anyway,” Vince snarled. “But I have plans if he gets any ideas to keep hurting her.”
“Don’t do anything silly, okay?” Louis asked. “You’re all she’s got over there, and she needs you.”
Sighing, Vince nodded. “You are right. Which means he gets a free pass. For now.” His laugh was pure evil. “Not so sure about the future, though.”