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I look over Corey’s head, ignoring his probing stare that’s been leveled on me from the moment he stepped into the conference room. I’d asked him to treat me like any other Lonestars employee, and he’d agreed. But his current attentiveness is sure to draw attention if it hasn’t already. I want to tell him to cool it, but that would go against my vow to avoid speaking to him.
Ugh.
I knew Corey’s presence would make work complicated, but I thought I had more than two days to come up with a plan on how to handle the upheaval.
My boss’s assistant, Chris, walks in with a sticky note in hand. Wordlessly, he hands it to Patti before turning on his heel and walking back out.
“Are we waiting for anyone else?” Gary finally asks, tapping his pen on the table with impatience.
Patti reads the note then folds it in half and slides it under her leatherbound portfolio. “Charles Wilson and his son are on their way up.”
Immediately, those around the table begin whispering amongst themselves, shocked to hear the owner of the Lonestars and his heir apparent are joining this meeting.
I look at Corey to see his reaction. He gives none. If anything, he looks bored. I’m honestly surprised he showed up today. Corey’s never been one to hop to when someone gives him an order. The only exception being his coaches when he was growing up. He always respected their input.
Maybe that’s what happened.
Maybe Coach Hawk told him to be here. The team’s manager is a well-respected man in the league. Even though Corey doesn’t have a personal relationship with him yet, he’d still be inclined to listen to him.
“All right, settle down, everyone.” Patti waves a hand in the air. “We mere mortals can keep our wits in the presence of the royals.”
“Well said, Patti.” Charles Wilson, the owner and president of the Lonestars baseball team walks into the room. His son is a step behind him, catching the glass door before it swings in his face.
Despite Patti’s comment, several of the team’s employees rise from their chairs like the king himself walked into the room. Which, in some ways, I suppose he did. Charles Wilson is about as hands-on in the organization as an owner can be. I’ve only worked here for less than a year, but he seems to know almost everything that goes on with his team and employees. Sylvia in accounting lost her father in the middle of the summer, and Charles wrote her a handwritten card expressing his condolences. I know his assistant likely orchestrates those kinds of things, but it’s still impressive.
“Now, now. None of that.” Charles heads towards the lone empty chair, but pauses by Corey’s seat and dons a practiced smile. “Corey Johnson, as I live and breathe. It’s an honor to meet you.”
After a short hesitation, Corey rises to his feet and takes the owner’s hand for a firm handshake. “Mr. Wilson.”
“Please, call me Charles.” He releases his hand and rocks back on his heels. “I’m sure I’m not the first to tell you this, but everyone at the Lonestars is damn happy to have you here.”
“Not everyone,” Corey states. I’m mortified when his gaze flickers my way. It’s brief, but based on the side-eye Patti shoots me, it’s noticeable.
Charles laughs off the remark. “Despite all your success and talent, you’re humble. I admire that. Yet another reason I’m pleased to have you on the team.” He gives Corey a nod before resuming the walk to the chair at the head of the table. His son is already posted just behind the empty chair, looking like a city-slicker villain in the latest romantic comedy. With his fancy suit and expensive watch, he reminds me of my college boyfriend Victor. Victor’s family had money, and he didn’t shy away from letting people know it.
I spent so much time in that relationship trying to be someone different—someone sophisticated and worldly. I was desperate to be who Victor wanted me to be and too young to realize that was one of the biggest mistakes I could ever make in a relationship. We were on and off for years, but I didn’t finally sever all ties to him until last year.
Morgan says it’s my perpetual optimism that caused me to give Victor second chance after second chance. She says my desire to see the good in everyone, despite the bad that should overshadow any redeemable qualities, makes me the most loyal person she knows. But it also opens me up to being taken advantage of.
I hate to admit she’s right. But what’s worse is I haven’t overcome that problem. Because even right now, the pull to smooth the rough patch between me and Corey is so strong. There was a time I felt I could rely on him for anything, second only to Carter and my parents.
Even though I’m still hurt by what happened between us all those years ago, I can’t deny time has lessened the sting of Corey’s actions. Honestly, I’m more mortified than angry by what happened. Which sucks. Anger and distance were all that kept me from foolishly holding onto the hope that I might one day be with the man I’ve been in love with since we were kids.
Now that Corey is back, I don’t know how I’m going to protect my heart when it flutters every time I so much as think of the famous pitcher.
“Welcome, everyone,” Charles greets in a smooth voice that effortlessly commands the room. “Thank you for being here on such short notice. Normally, I would wait to call this meeting until the new year, but I thought it would be best to get everyone aligned as soon as possible.”
The team’s employees all nod their heads, myself included.
“Yes, well, the summons didn’t seem like much of a request,” Gary speaks up, not bothering to hide his annoyance.
Inside, I cringe and brace myself for Mr. Wilson’s reaction.
“True,” the owner replies, unoffended. “It wasn’t.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Corey shift in his chair, visibly irritated. I keep my attention on the owner.
“The fact is, everyone who follows baseball knows this trade was not what your client wanted, Mr. Ramirez. The Lonestars are viewed as a downgrade, and I refuse to accept that’s how my organization is perceived.”
