Play Me

Why he hadn’t been fired yet, I wasn’t sure. But I sensed Hunter wanted to help Josh. Maybe in some ways, he would be Hunter’s redemption. For the time being, I was going to trust Mac and Hunter’s decision not to dismiss him from the team.

I massaged my temples. From then on, I planned to contact the security office at the complex when I was going to be coming home that late again.

Meow.

I bent down to pick up Nala, who was rubbing against my legs. “Hey, sweet girl. Sorry I was gone so long.”

Before Hunter left for the ranch, he’d come by to check on her. Nothing in the apartment seemed torn up. Of course, there wasn’t much to tear up, considering my apartment was still mostly boxes. I changed my clothes and curled up on the couch as I waited for Hunter to come inside. I knew he would come here once he was done with Josh. That morning I had given him a key.

It wasn’t long before I fell asleep with Nala curled up on my lap.

I woke to the sound of the door opening and checked at the time. It was nearly two in the morning. “Hunter?”

“Yeah, baby, it’s me. You didn’t go to bed?”

“No, I wanted to wait up for you.” Nala was fast asleep on my lap.

Hunter closed the door behind him. His face was still set in angry lines, and his shoulders were taut. “What happened?”

“I ran his ass. Then ran it some more. Then, for good measure, I ran the bastard a little more.”

Hunter came to sit on the couch and pulled me and Nala into his lap. “You okay?”

“Yes, it unnerved me, but I’m okay. He was two seconds from getting Mace in the face.”

Hugging me closer, Hunter laid his chin on my shoulder. “I nearly lost it with that asshole. It was either choke the life out of him or make him run.”

“I’m glad you did the latter. I wouldn’t want to visit my boyfriend in prison.” He gave a ghost of a smile. “I’m okay. Promise.”

Leaning back, Hunter looked at the ceiling. “I don’t know what it’s going to take to get through to him. I thought I had before, but there’s something else going on.”

So maybe my hunch that Hunter wanted to save him wasn’t that far off.

He dragged his free hand through his hair. “Mac told me at the fieldhouse that he’s decided to take him out of the first game of the season.”

“Oh. How’d Josh take it.”

“He was visibly pissed, but he said nothing.” He shook his head. “Damn it. That kid has so much talent, and he’s throwing it all away.”

I ran my hand up his arm, and he looked at me, concern clear on his face. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes, I promise.” I leaned in a little to give him a kiss. “I missed you. It seems like forever since we were at your ranch.”

He grabbed me tighter, upsetting Nala, who jumped off to move to the chair across the room. “I missed you, too. I think it’s time I got reacquainted with your body.”

“Yes.” My voice was breathy as Hunter captured my mouth.

For the first time in my life, I realized I was living, and it was all because of Hunter.

26

Kendall

In the week that passed after the incident with McEvans, he stayed the course and hadn’t stepped out of line. I was hopeful it remained that way. The first scrimmage had gone better than any of us anticipated. We’d only lost by one field goal. One. The team seemed energized from their performance and actually seemed to be functioning as a team. Our third string quarterback had done a good job. He had a lot of potential. From the notes Mac had given me, there was a chance he would become second string soon.

From time to time, I peered over to watch Josh. He wore a blank expression like armor, appearing to be both bored and unbothered, but every once in a while, the mask fell and the vulnerability was plain as day. And it was good that this bothered him. It meant he actually cared. Maybe he wanted to save himself. Hopefully.

I hung up the phone, breathing a sigh of relief at the results of my conference call. The board was pleased. And since there had been no further instances with the team, the leash I was on loosened ever so slightly.

Mac knocked on my door. “Do you have a second?”

“Sure.”

I turned my attention to Mac. Thank goodness he wasn’t one of those coaches who yanked up his pants all the time despite wearing a belt. That would have been a deal breaker—or the only way we could’ve communicated would have been through Skype video with a “from the shoulders up” rule. I tried to not smile at the thought.

Mac was at ease as he sat in my black leather chair and drank his coffee. Things were going well between us. With the partnership we were becoming a true team. He nodded. “How’d it go with the board?”

“Good. Very good. They were pleased with the scrimmage. As a result of the additional budget cuts we’d already discussed and agreed to together, we’ve increased profit by seven percent. And because of this, they’re backing off, which is going to make my job a lot easier. As long as we don’t have any more incidents, we might just save this team.”

“That’s good to know. I have a feeling McEvans is trying to start something, but the team seems to be ignoring him. They know I’m serious, and I’ve told them they are all replaceable. Honestly, I’m about two seconds from getting rid of him, but Hunter has asked me to keep him on a little longer.”

My heart melted a little at how much Hunter cared. The more I got to know him, the more I understood why his player dying on the field had completely wrecked him. Hunter put his heart into his team. Though we hadn’t said those three magic words yet, I saw him put the same type of devotion into our relationship. I came first. The feeling was addictive.

“Good. Glad to hear it. Well, I best get back to it.” He stood.

I mirrored his action. “Have a good day, Mac. Thanks for stopping by.”

A bit later, Amber’s voice came over the intercom. “Ms. Wales, your father is here.”

“Thank you.”

My nerves were an absolute mess, and I tried to prepare myself as best I could. On Saturday, Mom had called to ask if they could come see me and meet Hunter. It had seemed like it hadn’t been long enough for that kind of thing, but considering I’d already met his parents, I said sure. It occurred to me that Hunter had been waiting for this to happen. He’d causally ask when my parents were coming to town.

Dad came in wearing a black three-piece suit. He was such a strong man, and I admired him so much. In many ways, I wanted to be like my dad and receive the same type of respect when I walked into a room.

“Hey, Daddy. It’s so good to see you.” I looked around him toward the door. “Where’s Mom?”

He gave me a big hug, and I melted into him. There was just something about a dad’s hug that was irreplaceable. With that thought in mind, I hugged him tighter.

“Hey, sweetheart. Now, this is the kind of reception I love to get. Your mom is getting settled in at the apartment.”

That was Mom’s way of giving me and Dad some time together. “I missed you.”

“Me, too. I hear I have to meet the dreaded b-word.”

I pulled back and giggled at the grimace on his face. Since I had never really had a boyfriend before, this was new territory for all of us.

Amber had set up lunch on the small table to the left of my desk. We sat and ate, catching up on our lives. I found myself talking more about Hunter than I thought I would. Dad listened and smiled, seeming to enjoy my stories of Hunter taking me on a hike last weekend. I also told him about Ahava and Nala.

After a while, we switched to business. “You did a good job holding your own with the board.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that.”

“But, Kendall, I need—"

There was a knock at the door, interrupting us. I called out, “Come in.”

“Hey, baby, what time—” Hunter froze at the sight of my dad. “Amber was away from her desk.” He pointed to the door. “Your calendar

was empty.”

It was rare for Hunter to be flustered. Dad stood, and I wasn’t sure who filled the room more. Dad adjusted his suit jacket. “Hunter Owens, it’s been awhile.”

“Yes, it has. Your team still has an impeccable record.”

“We’ve definitely missed playing against you on the field. You gave us a run for our money every single time. If I recall correctly, we ended with an even number of wins and losses.”

Hunter smirked. “Yes, we did. Your team always gave mine hell, Mr. Wales.”

Oh, good grief.

Dad straightened his cuff. “Please, call me Damien. Seems like this time we aren’t on opposing teams and have a common goal in mind.”

Their eyes shifted to me, and my cheeks heated. Hunter said, “Yes, we do.”

The vow he’d given had me smiling in response. Hunter took a few steps toward Dad with his hand outstretched.

“How about we go get a drink? There are some things I would like to discuss,” my dad said.

Before I could respond, Hunter nodded. “Sounds good.”

Oh dear.

My dad alone with the guy I was dating was not a good idea. “Are we sure this is a good idea? I mean, it’s barely lunchtime—not really proper hours to be drinking. Maybe we should stay here, have some sparkling water, catch up on business, not kill my boyfriend.”

Both men looked my way, and Hunter quirked a smile. Dad raised an eyebrow at my outburst. “What? Why are you staring at me? It just seems that a very protective dad plus a boyfriend could be catastrophic. I would like to have my dad and my boyfriend when the day ends and it’s time for bed. Not that I would have anyone in my bed. I mean, I’m like a nun. Well—”

“Kendall, breathe.” Hunter took my hand, and I instantly calmed.

Dad was watching us intently. He gave me a loving smile. “I promise to return him in one piece.”