“I think he does, but I’ll have to ask. You will meet him, though. I don’t know when yet, but I have a feeling that he’s going to be around for a while. So you definitely will.”

Hope flooded my veins. I wanted James to be around for a long while. I wondered if he wanted the same thing.

Chapter Twenty-Five

James

I was walking on fucking sunshine when I arrived at Richard’s office that morning. I actually whistled as I headed in. A few friendly faces greeted me, but I didn’t stop to talk. I felt invincible as I walked the hallways, like nothing could stop me now.

Richard had to postpone his first meeting with me, but he’d called as soon as he’d gotten back to town to reschedule, still sounding entirely confident that I would love the terms of my new contract.

In under an hour, I was going to have everything that I’d ever wanted and more. My team, my big payday, and my baby’s future secured.

I also had Gabrielle, for now, anyway. An adde

d bonus that I hadn’t expected but who made the experience so much more rewarding. I couldn’t wait to tell her that I’d accepted her father’s counteroffer. That I would be staying in Miami.

I couldn’t wait to celebrate my dreams coming true with her that evening and to make her scream my name louder than the fans would when we finally won the fucking Super Bowl.

The thought spurred me on. I would call her as soon as I got out of this office with the ink drying in place on my shiny new contract.

Olivia fixed me with a bright smile when I entered Richard’s reception area.

“Well howdy, stranger.” Olivia twirled her braid through her fingers and actually batted her eyelashes at me. “He’s still in with a couple of the members of the management team. He’ll be done in a couple of minutes.”

I wasn’t surprised that I had to wait a few minutes. I wasn’t even the least bit disappointed. Richard had warned me that he had meetings planned all day, but he had insisted that I come in anytime anyway.

“No problem. I can wait. How’re things going over here? Any news?” The day that I’d gotten Gabrielle’s number from Olivia, I hadn’t been lying about the fact that she had her finger on the pulse.

If there was anything worth knowing going on, she would know about it. It was possible that she would have some information regarding the terms of my new contract. I had to know.

Olivia smiled coyly and launched into gossip mode, sharing bits and pieces of information flying around the halls about the plans for the team next season. It sounded legit. If they could pull it off, we might just stand a fucking chance. She didn’t mention anything about my contract, however.

I bounced on the balls on my feet as adrenaline pumped through my veins, feeling like I’d downed five shots of espresso.

“Speaking of news, any updates on the surprise?” Her voice was low as her eyes darted to the hallway.

Images swam in my mind of my shot at the Super Bowl and the ring, Harper in the private school I’d been eyeing, and Gabrielle’s eyes dark with lust.

“What surprise?” I hated being caught off guard. I wasn’t used it and didn’t want to be. I couldn’t pull my mind away from my impending golden future for long enough to focus on whatever she was going on about.

Olivia’s lips pressed into a thin line, and her eyes narrowed. Never a good sign.

“What surprise?” Her voice became slightly more shrill. Shit, she was pissed, though I had no idea why. Her eyes popped wide open. Anger flared in them as something seemed to click into place.

Olivia opened her mouth, presumably to whisper yell at me about whatever had gotten her so riled up when a pack of suits rushed out of Richard’s office.

Each member of the management team slapped my palm and tapped my shoulder as they passed. Each alligator grin was wider than the next. I indulged them and smiled wide as I answered quick questions.

I was in a great mood; I wasn’t going to let the execs get me down. Not that day. The whole exchange took no more than a minute. One of the guys even gave me low thumbs up just before turning to leave.

That had to be a good sign, a great one even. The man wasn’t known for outward displays of excitement of any kind.

“Send him in, Olivia.” Richard’s voice crackled over the intercom before Olivia could say another word to me, effectively putting an end to whatever whispered berating comment she had been about to deliver before the management team had appeared.

I silently thanked God. If there was one thing that I wasn’t in the mood for, it was Olivia’s drama. I did not have time for that shit. I also didn’t know what made her think that she had the kind of authority to yell at us, but it had never stopped her.

“Jamie boy! How are you? Thanks for coming in so soon, I’m sorry that I had to postpone before.” He gave me a quick one-armed hug and slapped my back so hard that I had to keep from coughing up a lung. Not an easy task. The man was definitely excited about something.

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