The Game by Vi Keeland by Vi Keeland

Talia had called early this morning while I was in the first of a string of meetings, and it had been after five by the time I called her back. I shouldered my cell so I could use both hands to tug at the bottom drawer of my desk, which was stuck, but it wouldn’t budge. A week ago, I would never have imagined needing to use all of the storage in this ginormous desk, but suddenly I had reports and documents piled up everywhere.

“I haven’t had a chance to see if any of the reporters who were at the game ran the story about why Christian was visiting the team,” I told her.

“They sure did. Wyatt has been sending me videos and screenshots of articles that mention his name. He’s not home from practice yet, but he asked me to pick up a scrapbook for him.” She laughed. “Pretty sure his inflated head isn’t going to fit into a helmet for a while.”

“He deserves it. He’s a great kid.”

“Oh, and the coach told him he got two calls today from colleges interested in him! They asked the coach to send a highlight reel and stats and said they’d be in touch. I can’t believe it. I don’t know how to thank you, Bella.”

“I didn’t do anything. I had no idea Christian was going to show up with all the media in tow. It was all his doing.”

“Well, please thank him for me,” Talia said. “What’s the deal with him, though? Is he trying to earn brownie points with the new owner or something?”

I’d been trying to figure that out myself. Why was Christian Knox being so generous with his time? Sure, he’d made it pretty clear that he wanted to take me out. But men who looked like him and played professional football did not have to work so hard for a date. “I’m not really sure what his motive is. But…he did ask me out.”

“Are you serious?!”

I had to pull the phone away from my ear to avoid the shriek she let out.

“Why didn’t you call immediately and tell me you were going out with the hottest man on the planet?”

“Because I’m not.”

“What do you mean you’re not?”

“He asked, but I declined.”

“Is that third stair at your shitty apartment still coming loose, and you fell and hit your head?”

I chuckled. “I’m his boss, Talia. Besides, things between Julian and me just got going, and I don’t want to mess that up. We’re really compatible.”

“I didn’t realize you two were getting cozy after the lame first date that ended in a handshake. So things are progressing?”

I frowned. “We haven’t actually gone out again. I think he’s taking things slow. Which is actually fine with me. I’m overwhelmed with all the changes in my life anyway.”

“But you’re talking on a regular basis?”

“He called me yesterday.” Which reminded me, I hadn’t called him back yet…

“Don’t tell me that’s the first time he made contact since you went out weeks ago.”

I sighed. “He’s…shy.”

“There’s shy and then there’s plain stupid. Who goes out with a woman and doesn’t call her for weeks? And you’re not going out with an Adonis because of this? You want to know what I think?”

“No.”

“Too bad. I think you actually like Christian and that’s why you won’t go out with him.”

“Oh yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Because I prefer my relationships to be with people I don’t like…”

“No, you don’t have relationships, Bella. You sleep with men who are nice looking, and then you dump them before they can dump you. You’ve been doing it since you were seventeen—ever since you gave that twenty-five-year-old dirtbag you were crazy about your virginity. Yes, he ditched you the next week after chasing you for months, but that’s not going to happen every time. You never go out with a man who has real potential.”

“I went on a date with Julian, didn’t I?”

“Yes, because some insane dating formula you created picked him for a good match. That’s not normal, Bella. Besides, I’m guessing you’re fine continuing things with him because you see him as safe.”

Beau from Publicity knocked on my open door. It was the second time he’d stopped by today, so I figured it was the perfect excuse to nix this conversation. I held up a finger to him. “Tal, I have to run. I’ll call you soon, okay?”

“Uh, you definitely will. Because my son told me you’re hosting a party in the owner’s box for his birthday?”

“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I realized after I said it that I should have run it by you first. I hope you don’t have other plans.”

“I do. But I can scrub the floor and do laundry another day.”

I laughed. “Alright, great. I’ll call you over the weekend so we can talk about the party.”

After I hung up, I waved Beau into my office. “Sorry. It’s been one of those days.”

He smiled. “Been here seven years. I’m waiting for it not to be one of those days.”

I motioned to the round table in the middle of my office. “Thanks, Beau. That’s encouraging.”

“I won’t take up much of your time. I just wanted to speak to you about your visit to St. Francis yesterday.”