Page 46 of Bad Run

Gwen makes a face. “Don’t call me that.”

I find it interesting that she doesn’t like me addressing her by her last name. Maybe one day, when Gwen doesn’t want to junk-punch me, I’ll ask her why. “As you wish.”

“Okay. Good. I’m going to get back to work, and you should get ready to hit the road.”

As she reaches for the handle and pulls open the closet door, I call out, “Hey, Gwen?”

“Yes, Lance?” She looks up at me with those hypnotizing eyes and almost knocks me to my knees.

There are so many things I want to say to her. I wish things were different. I think about you all the time. I miss you … But I can’t. So, I go with, “You’re doing an amazing job around here.”

She recoils, shocked by my compliment. It makes me angry and sad on her behalf. How has no one told her she’s doing a great job? For some reason, that just pisses me off. She deserves to be seen for all that she does.

I hate social media, and even I’ve noticed that our online fan base has increased and the team’s engagement is at an all-time high.

A smile spreads across her gorgeous face. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I watch her take a few steps before turning back to face me. “Hey, Lance?”

“Yes, Gwen?” I answer just as she did.

“Be safe on the road.”

My ribs tighten at her parting words as an unrecognizable warmth floods my chest. “I will.”

With a little wave, Gwen walks out of the closet, leaving her powdery, floral scent behind, all while taking a small piece of me with her as she disappears on me again.

fifteen

Gwen

Present

“You’ve got this. You’re a bad bitch,” I repeat my best friend’s parting words from our daily morning video call into the bathroom mirror.

My anxiety is so high today I can’t stop sweating. Hence the pitstop at the office restroom before my meeting.

Today is the day I am going to march into my father’s office and demand that he hand over the reins of the chief marketing officer position to me while Maryse is on maternity leave. I have spent the last eight years working my ass off and gaining experience. I don’t know how much more I can do to prove to my dad that I can do the job. That I belong here.

Since I was a child, it has been my dream to be a part of the Evaders. My great-grandfather, Archibald Montgomery, founded the Los Angeles Evaders baseball team in 1942, and every member of the Montgomery family has worked here. I’ve scanned tickets at the gate, sold frozen lemonade while carrying the freezer bag on my chest, swept trash after games, and so much more.

I’ve done it all, and now it’s time for me to move up in the ranks. The front office is calling me, and this is my chance.

Turning side to side, I check myself out in the mirror one last time.

My black suit is lint free and pressed to perfection. The collar of my baby-pink shirt is crisp and popping. As are my matching baby-pink stilettos. I push the single tight curl falling from my high ponytail back behind my ear. While I miss the pastel pink strands I wore in college, today’s goal is for my father to see me as the grown woman I am. So that means no more pink hair and very professional business attire.

I inhale a deep breath and pull my shoulders back into a power pose. Boobs out, stomach in, hands on my hips. The reflection in the mirror is of a determined woman. Because I am. I just need my father to see me in the same light. I’m afraid when he looks at me, he still sees an eight-year-old girl with pigtails and a toothless smile.

But I’m a grown woman, and I know what I want.

Since the season started, I have done more than grunt work. I created all the PR for the philanthropy projects, which were well received by the public. I’ve helped increase our charity’s monetary donations and player participation. I have gotten the Evaders’ social media presence into the millions, and fan engagement up. Which I also did for Cam and Nico.

The numbers don’t lie. I’m good at this job.

After a few deep breaths, I leave the safety of the bathroom and make my way down the hall toward my father’s office. The mahogany-stained door stares back at me as I stand toe to toe with it.