Page 144 of Bad Run

“Dude, just be cool,” Cam whisper-shouts.

Without knocking, I shove open the door with enough force for it to slam into the wall with a bang.

Ted’s head pops up from where he sits behind his desk, and I can’t help but notice the red rings around his eyes. “What the hell do you want?”

“I told you not to hurt Gwen, and you did it anyway,” I all but growl at the man.

“What did she tell you?”

“She didn’t have to tell me anything. You made her cry, so I know you said some dumb shit to break her heart. Fix it. I know finding out we eloped is a hard pill to swallow but, respectfully, get the fuck over it. I love her, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“You love her?”

“With every fiber of my being. And there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to protect her. Even if that means I have to protect her from you. I don’t want to do that, but I need you to get your head out of your ass and see how fucking amazing she is. See how amazing she is at her job. Gwen works incredibly hard because she loves the team and because she loves you. All she wants is for you to see what she’s accomplished and say you’re proud. That’s your job as a parent. And my job as her husband is to keep the people who don’t see her worth away, because making her happy is my highest priority.”

Ted stands up from behind his desk and adjusts his suit jacket. “Are you done?”

I nod, my chest heaving. “I’m done.”

I could go on, but I’ve said my piece, and I think Ted gets it. At least, I hope he does.

“I should fire you.” Ted looks over my shoulder, and I follow his gaze.

All five of my friends—no, my brothers—are behind me, watching and waiting. As much as I don’t need them, I’m glad they’re here. That they’ve got my back.

“And the five of you.” Ted’s gaze returns to me, and my body locks tight. I knew getting fired or traded could be a possibility. “But I won’t. At least, not today.” Ted sighs, contemplating his next words. “I can see that you love my daughter very much. And that she loves you. I know my Gwenny is amazing. I was stuck between fulfilling old obligations and doing the right thing. But I’m going to fix it. Seeing pictures of you with my daughter was not easy, and I know I didn’t handle things … well. It was a shock, and I reacted. I just wish you both had come to me before the tabloids got wind of it.”

Guilt swirls in my stomach, but I keep my mouth shut. Finding out that I planted the story won’t help him fix his relationship with Gwen or make him like me. But I was tired of hiding, and Gwen, as strong as she is, was scared to tell her father. Sometimes she needs a nudge in the right direction.

“Next time, I’ll be sure you find out she’s pregnant before the paparazzi,” I joke.

To cough-covered laughs, Ted glares at me.

“Too soon?” I ask.

“Too soon. Now get the fuck out of my office and run New York into the ground tonight.” Ted’s lip twitches as I move to leave. “And Taylor?”

“Yes, sir?” I turn around.

“Just because you’re part of the family now doesn’t mean you get to barge into my office whenever you like. Next time, schedule a meeting like everyone else.”

“Understood.” I chuckle.

When I leave Ted’s office, with my friends in tow, it’s with a tremendous sense of relief. In time, everything is going to be alright between Gwen and her dad.

When I walk into the bedroom, ready to tell Gwen about my chat with her father, I find the lights on and the TV stuck on the menu while she lies on her side, curled up into a ball, with her curly hair draped across the pillows, fast asleep.

At the sight of the beauty in my bed, the adrenaline that has been coursing through my veins after our huge win against our biggest rival loses steam.

Gwen looks so peaceful sleeping. There’s not a chance I’m going to wake her up after the emotional day she’s had.

Even though I’m a little wired, nothing sounds better than climbing into bed beside Gwen. As quietly as I can, I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

Once I’m done, I turn off the lights and TV, then get into bed behind Gwen.

As I snake my arm around her waist, she makes a cute little snort. In my head, I can picture her cheeks flaming with embarrassment if she knew she snored. Tucking my head into her hair, I stifle my laugh. I haven’t heard that sound before now, but today was emotional, and she must be exhausted.

I cocoon my wife and absorb her heat, and it doesn’t take long for sleep to find me.