Page 41 of Face Off

“Admit it,” Mitch challenged.

“Admit what?”

“That you have feelings for her, but you’re too scared to do anything about it.”

I glanced around. “That’s not what’s happening.”

“Coward.”

I wanted to push him. Shove him and start a fight in the middle of the training room. What was his problem? It was none of his business.

“What could I even do about it right now? My life is up in the air. She has a daughter, and an ex I don’t know anything about. I have no idea about her life.”

“That’s why you ask her on a date. To get to know her,” Parker said from behind Mitch.

“Not if he’s not ready to deal with everything else that includes.” Lance shook his head. “He’s right. She’s a mom, and he better have a good reason to take her away from her daughter, even for dinner. If it’s just to hang out and get to know each other, find another time when we’re all together to do that. If it’s just to be her friend, then invite her daughter along. If you’re interested in more, then you need to be pretty sure about it.”

Where was this side of him coming from?

“I know.” I wasn’t planning on doing anything about whatever feelings I may or may not have for her. It was all of them that was pressuring me to act.

“I think taking her and her daughter out is an excellent idea,” Mitch agreed.

“I’ll take that into consideration.” I moved into position behind the bar, and they dispersed even though I could feel them watching me.

Taking her and Sadie out wasn’t a bad idea. I could play it off as showing them around town. Being neighborly. Was I ready for even that much?

15

Holly

It was time to put my plan into action. I was equipped with one of the team’s expensive cameras that George made me promise to protect and care for better than my daughter, which seemed excessive, but I finally did when he refused to hand it over.

I wasn’t planning on bringing Sadie to the park for the fundraising event, but Chloe assured me there would be enough willing people hanging around to watch her that I wouldn’t have to worry about keeping her entertained while also doing my job. It also meant she would be fed enough hot dogs and chips that I didn’t have to worry about dinner tonight.

The Fury had taken over a downtown park and brought in a jump house, inflatable slide, and a mini ice rink. The team was spread out, interacting with fans and making sure the children were being safe while having fun.

I snapped candid photos of Reese and Erik racing down the slide, and Hartman getting his face painted next to a little boy that wanted the captain’s number on his cheek.

It was just the kind of thing I wanted to show on the team’s social media. The real side of the players. The human version, not the athlete.

Fans of my blog loved this content more than my product recommendations or cleaning tips. They wanted to feel like they were getting to know the real person. This event was the perfect chance to do that.

I just needed to find one person in particular.

My super-secret plan was to capture a collection of moments like that, for everyone, but especially Mikey. I wanted to make the fans fall in love with him all over again. I wanted them to think about him. Root for him. Sympathize with him. I wanted him to be the fan-favorite.

It might not be enough to save him from being sent to the farm team, but it was the one thing I knew I could control. I was even going to recommend he share these images on his own social media. The more exposure for him, the better.

The only problem was finding him.

The park was large enough on its own. Add in all the attractions and masses of people, and it was nearly impossible to find anyone. I didn’t have his phone number either. I could ask someone, the next person I saw, but what would I say? That I needed pictures of him? Specifically? Why?

Maybe it wasn’t that weird, but it felt a little strange to me.

“Holly!”

I spun around and smiled at Mitch. “Hey.”