Her face softened. “Of course, you can. I know this isn’t an easy one. Just remember, once you do choose, there is no going back. I also need to make it perfectly clear that if you decide to move forward with him, you will need to keep it underwraps until after the article is printed. If this leaks early, we would open ourselves up to a PR nightmare, and you would risk burning every bridge you have built in that locker room. Do you understand?”
I crossed my arms, trying to ignore the unease crawling up my spine. “Yes, I understand.”
CHAPTER 17
BECCA
“These seats are incredible.”Ember was all smiles as we made our way to our seats down to the fifth row behind the fifty-yard line.
“I can’t believe how close we are,” I said, setting my drink down in front of me. “I would have thought we would be up in a box. Not that I’m complaining,” I emphasized. “I’m more of a stands girl, anyway.”
I was a huge sports fan, so I appreciated the good seats. It just felt weird being here and not working. Normally, I would be covering the game from the press box. Tonight, I was sitting in section 101—the seats he provided. I told myself it didn’t mean anything, but that was a total lie.
“He probably wanted to see you.”
I laughed because we were close enough that he could without having to squint.
And that made me nervous. The game started, and the crowd began clapping and cheering.
I let my gaze roam over the navy and white uniforms, searching out his jersey.
“There he is.” Ember nudged me.
A blush hit my face as I stared at him. Nate was all suited up for the game. He wasn’t as bulky as some of the guys on the field, but I could still pick him out from twenty yards away.
The ref blew the whistle, and the whole team gathered in a circle.
Ember set her soda down between her legs. “What’s really going on between you two?”
“What do you mean?”
She plucked a piece of popcorn out of the bucket. “Well, he left tickets for you at will call.”
I rubbed my hands together and shifted in my seat, trying to get comfortable. “It was a thank you for my donation to his charity.”
Nothing got by my best friend. I felt sorry for her future children.
“Sure, okay. We’ll go with that.” She leaned back in her seat. “Is Daphene okay with you being here?”
I didn’t answer right away.
She turned her head slowly, pushing her sunglasses on top of her nose. “Oh, my God. She doesn’t know.”
“I’m not assigned to the game tonight,” I said casually. “Joe is covering it.”
“That wasn’t what I asked you.”
I exhaled, as my gaze drifted back to the field before I could stop it. “I’m not sure what the big deal is. I’m here on my personal time.”
Ember studied me. “We are sitting in his seats.”
“I didn’t ask him to give me tickets. I had the night off. It’s not a big deal.” I tried to sound innocent and play it off, but she wasn’t buying it.
“You still haven’t told me why you’re not reporting on the team tonight. Did something happen with work?”
Taking him up on his offer and sitting in these seats was probably a mistake. The smarter thing to do would have been to invite Ember to dinner and maybe drinks after, but here I was.
“If I tell you something, do you promise to keep it a secret?”
