“Bowen came by for an early work out and politely invited me to his apartment where it was warmer.”
“I’m sure he found several interesting ways to keep you warm,” Glazier raised his hand in front of his face. “Spare me any attempts to lie. He’s shirtless and too fucking self-satisfied to have done anything except made the beast with two backs.”
“So, you don’t want to hear about our intellectual conversation about g-forces in tackling?”
“Yes. Till five in the afternoon? Put him back on the phone.”
She handed Bowen the phone back. He gave Glazier his best ‘don’t give a fuck’ scowl. “You gonna threaten me?”
“Do I need to? You do understand she’s not my medical assistant. She’s one of MetroGen’s most promising young orthopedic surgeons who I brought to the stadium to learn the intricacies of orthopedic sports med. Not let some tattooed ape ruin her career because he’s a dog in heat to everyone with a pulse and pair of tits.”
“No one is going to ruin her career, and this isn’t a flash in the pan. It’s legit.”
“I doubt you’ll last the season.” Glazier rolled his eyes. “However long this blessed union of banging lasts, by all the saints and Vince Lombardi, can you keep it quiet?”
“I’m not ashamedto be taken. Bad boy has been tamed.”
“No one gives a shit if you’re taken. ESPN finds redeemed by love stories horribly boring unless you start beating the crap out of her or get a drug problem. I’m concerned about her reputation. You two need to keep a low profile to make people believe you dated naturally AFTER the season and when she was off her rotations. Otherwise, it’ll affect her career options if she wants a fair shake at the Guardians or the Cavs. Even the Monsters, Crunch, and Charge will hesitate.”
“I’ll be fine,” Rory said, taking the phone away. “Thanks for the advice.”
“You’d better take it seriously. There are plenty on the DL relationships at MetroGen, so be one of them, not the ones who make the paper.”
“Once again, message received.”
“Was it?”
“You’re cut off, Glazier. Stop treating my girlfriend like she’s stupid. She’s her own woman, makes her own decisions, and if I’m what she wants—and I hope I am—it’s her decision,” Bowen yelled at the phone and hung it up.
“Bowen! You can’t hang up on him.”
“I just did. No need to call him back. He’s an ass. I should have fucking known he was in on letting me believe you were...”
“I was?”
“Not a doctor. I can’t believe he treats you so badly.”
“Listen to me. He treats me exactly how he treats the guys. The mocking, the assholing. Besides, can’t you see? He called because he was worried about me. I was missing.”
“Oh. I did miss that.”
“Yeah, and even though he’s not thrilled, he basically said he’s not telling anyone, and he told me how and when to go public,” his much smarter than him new girlfriend pointed out.
“I still think he’s an ass.”
“Trust me, the feeling is mutual.” Rory slumped back into the couch. “How long do you think we can keep this underwraps?”
Bowen hugged her closer. “Honestly, forever. You don’t have to say anything. The media knows I don’t give interviews or comment on my personal life. If we keep a low profile for the rest of the season, no one may ever ask.”
“That’s true. You don’t have Instagram, twitter, or a Facebook page. There’s no reason we have to say anything to anyone. If Glazier was planning on taking action, he’d have told me just now.”
“See, we’ve got it worked out. No need to throw a Hail Mary in the first quarter. You, me, sexy kissing times, and we can decide after the season.”
“Or how about at the end of the academic year? There are new doctors by June, so plenty of other newbies who’ll possibly bring new drama and hide ours.”
“Worth a shot.” Bowen rolled the comforter off her. “If we’re gonna be snowed in today, let’s take advantage.”
CHAPTER15
