Double Score

“No problem. I hate that asshole.”

“Does it feel like it’s already time to leave work?” I smiled weakly. I was exhausted. I didn’t sleep much last night, let alone how early I awoke. Add in the press conference and I had depleted all my energy.

“We have practice, baby,” Isaac announced.

“Oh right. That.”

“I’m sure the guys are going to know what’s going on.” Dylan reached his arms overhead to stretch.

“I guess I’ll see y’all later.” I didn’t want them to leave. I didn’t want their warmth and strength to walk out of my office.

“Warrior duty calls.”

We all had a duty. Mine was to the franchise. I had to keep things running.

“I’ll text you about the interview.”

Isaac looked over his shoulder before planting a hungry kiss on my lips. The door was open. He was taking a chance. He stood back.

Dylan walked over next, snaking his hand around my waist. “I should be the one to kiss my fiancée good-bye.” He grinned before taking my lips with a blistering kiss. My knees buckled, leaning into him.

“Bye, darlin’.”

I blinked, watching the two hottest men I’d ever known go to practice.

I held on to the desk. I should be used to the spinning by now. But I wasn’t sure if I ever would find balance with those two. I smiled. For now, I was fine with that.

21

Vanessa

I studied the notes Steve had left for me. He wanted to make sure I hit certain talking points during the interview tonight. Somehow all of this would lead to an increase in ticket sales. He’d made it clear we were losing box seat holders along with season ticket holders throughout the stadium. It was a lot to put on me. It wasn’t like I was a main attraction who could draw in fans. It was my responsibility to hold the team together with this charade.

But somehow knowing I had Dylan and Isaac with me changed all that. I felt strong enough to handle any questions Sports Now had.

I looked at my left hand. It was hard to ignore the sparkle. The rainbows scattered over my desk. I knew Steve choose it for the bling. He wanted something big enough that people would know I was taken. I was engaged. And it wasn’t just any engagement—it was to the team.

My phone beeped on the desk.

“Vanessa, Mrs. McCade is on line two for you,” Candy piped in on the small speaker.

It took me a second to register she was talking about my grandmother. “Oh no, Grammy,” I whispered aloud.

“Ok, thanks. I’ve got it.”

I reached for the receiver, scared to death of the lecture I was getting ready to hear.

“Hi, Grammy.” I smiled sweetly as if she could see me.

“Vanessa, what in the Lord’s name have you gotten yourself into? I saw the news. Gretchen came running into the sunroom like the place was on fire. Everyone here has seen it.”

“Grammy, please don’t be upset.” I could picture her pacing around in one of her Warriors outfits. Diamonds dripping from her ears. She probably had her pearls clutched in her hand.

“I heard on the news my one and only granddaughter, the girl I practically raised as my daughter is getting married and she hasn’t mentioned a word of it to me? You never even said you were seeing someone. Let alone Dylan James. He’s not your type, Nessa.”

I pinched my lips together. This wasn’t a battle I wanted to get into. “With everything going on I didn’t want to bring up my love life,” I lied. “I should have said something sooner. I’m so sorry you found out this way.” I had to remember next time that I was part of a press release that I needed to inform my family first. This wasn’t fair to do to her.

“You’re not going through with it, are you?” she questioned.