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“Maybe. I’m just really tired of all this.” I let out a long, calming breath. “I have to find him anyway so that we can welcome everyone. Are we all set here?”
He nods. “We’re ready when you are.”
Oh, I’m ready, and then I’m ready to be done.“I’ll find Sean so we can get things moving and kick off the first set.”
“Try to have fun. This is for you, too.” He grins, making me smile, but I’d really like to punch something.
I search the crowd for Sean, spotting him off to the side, taking a picture with a child. I don’t want to add to his stress, but his GM just hit a nerve, and I’m over all of it.
I’m certain what I said didn’t go over well, and I probably just made things a whole lot worse for Sean, but what was I supposed to do? I won’t do anything different with Ax. He’s here, and he’s staying. If Sean can’t handle that, then after today, we’ll say goodbye and go on with our lives.
Chapter 32
SEAN
I pull my arm back and release a ball. Twenty yards away, a kid with a big toothless grin catches it. He brings his arm back and uses his entire body to launch it back to me. Kids are everywhere, running, playing, and laughing as my teammates do the same thing, stopping to take pictures and sign jerseys.
“Alright, I’m taking names. Who’s on the list, and where do I start?” Maggie steps up next to me with Aiden over her shoulder. “I’ve heard too many things lately that are really pissing me off, and I don’t care what Shane says. It's my business, and I’m at your disposal for a limited time only. Shane’s busy with kids so now’s our chance. He can’t stop me.”
I smile and reach over to hug her tight. This woman has become the sister I never had.
“Hey, I’m so glad you guys could make it.” I toss the ball back to the kid waiting on me.
“You hanging in there?” she asks, rocking side to side.
“This helps.” I glance around, noting all of the smiling faces.
“Shane told me about these preposterous trade rumors. What are they thinking? They seriously can’t be legit or about this BS your ex is trying to sell.”
I shrug. “Rob’s working on it, but my GM doesn’t like the negative press. Defense is lacking, so maybe this would be an effort to beef up for next season.”
Maggie blows air between her lips. “Trading you for defense would be a mistake. You don’t trade someone who gets the ball into the endzone.”
“Yeah, well, I guess I’ll find out soon enough. The deadline is nearing, and chatter is picking up. They have to know the rumors exist, and they’re not doing anything to dispel them. At this point, besides leaving my team, I’m not sure I care. I don’t want to be a part of an organization that isn’t going to stand by me or thinks I’m disposable.”
Maggie nods like she understands and then turns in a circle, looking at the crowd. “Sean, this is amazing. Shane and I’ve talked to so many families, and these kids are having the time of their lives. You did an awesome job.”
“Just wait until Andie starts singing. It’s only going to get better.”
“Where is that hot little thing? I haven’t met her yet, and I need to know who you’ve beenhangingout with.” She raises and lowers her eyebrows.
I know exactly where she is, but I’m not giving that away. I haven’t been able to keep my eyes from drifting in her direction every chance I get.
When my hand unintentionally found that sliver of bare skin earlier, it took everything in me not to let my hand linger there. It was all by accident, but that small skin-on-skin contact lit up my entire body like it had scored the winning touchdown at the Super Bowl.
My physical attraction is intense, but the reality is, it’s everything else that Andie is that has me wanting to hold on to her when this is over.
“She’s making sure things are set with the band.”
“I heard she brought her little guy, and I need to introduce Aiden. They could be best buds.”
I roll my eyes. “We’re just friends.”
Maggie pushes her lips to one side. “You know Shane was pretty slow regarding matters of the heart, but I know better with you.” She rests her hand on my arm, stopping me from throwing the ball so I’ll look at her. “If there’s something there, this other stuff doesn’t matter. Don’t be afraid to take a chance. The job will work itself out. Love doesn’t knock on our door every day. If you have feelings, swing that baby wide open and see what happens.”
She squeezes my arms before walking away. I toss the ball back and then let my eyes roam the field, searching for Andie again. She’s talking to another family and leans in to give a woman a hug. I want to believe that everything will work out, but it feels like, at any moment, everything is going to come tumbling down.
When I spoke with Rob last, he said the rumors seemed legit. He’s ready to meet with the organization and start the conversation, but I asked him to wait until after this event.
