Page 4 of Out of Bounds

Without any more encouragement, the group stood, starting to gather their stuff. Cowboy wandered over to Gunnar, but the two of them didn’t say anything as they watched the interactions before them. The start of any new season was always a little awkward for players who were new to a team and didn’t know anyone yet, but having a room full of individuals who were in that situation was something else entirely. Training camp next week would sort out all types of things—from personality conflicts, to new alliances forming—but for right now it was interesting just to see who was talking to whom.

“What do you think the douche bag comment was about?” Cowboy asked quietly, his gaze following Elliot as he made his way toward the door.

“No idea, but I guess we’ll see how it plays out at camp.”

Elliot exited the room, holding the door open long enough for a cute, twenty-something girl with long brown hair to enter. Gunnar had to do a double take, making sure that she was indeed the same girl who had shown up at Southland Holdings headquarters only a few days after he was announced as head coach. Sure enough, it was.

"Hola, bonita,” Dash said, sauntering up to Talia.

“Hi,” she returned, her tone polite.

“Leave her alone, Dash,” Gunnar called out, giving his new rookie a stern look. Dash thankfully took the hint, making a swift exit.

“Umm, hi,” she said, wandering over to him and Cowboy. “Sorry to interrupt.”

“Not a problem, we’re just finishing up,” Gunnar said.

“I would have texted, but I don’t have your number. I got a call about moving into your new apartment?”

“Yeah, the team has arranged for a flat for us, if you’re interested. Wasn't sure what your plans were.”

“You don’t think it’s weird? Since we don’t know each other?”

Shit. He hadn’t thought of that. It probably was a little weird for her to just move in with some random guy she didn’t know. Even if they did share DNA.

“I hadn’t thought of it that way. I just figured you might need a place to stay and that this would be a way for us to get to know each other. I’ll be traveling a lot with the team, so you’ll have the place to yourself more often than not.”

“Okay then, as long as you don’t mind. It’ll get me out of the motel while I figure out what’s next.”

“Great,” Gunnar replied, not sure what else to say. Was this supposed to be this awkward? “Did you get the key yet? Do you need help moving?”

“I really only have a few things, so I can move them. I just need to know where I’m going.”

“Oh, ummm, good call…” he muttered. But before he could ask Cowboy who to have Talia call, Felicity appeared by his side.

“I can help with that.”

* * *

Felicity watched Gunnar turn and look at her, as if the whole thing were in slow motion. The look on his face was a cross between confusion and borderline panic. Had she said something wrong? She hadn’t heard the whole conversation between them, but from what she had heard it sounded like Talia needed help getting moved. That was something she could help organize.

“I’m Felicity Sutherland, Atlanta Rising Director of Team Services,” she said, ignoring the grumpy man next to her.

“Talia Whitmore, nice to meet you.”

“Talia is, uh, my daughter,” Gunnar interjected, the words seeming to get caught in his mouth.

“I am aware. I literally got the company memo.”

Talia let out a little snort at her comeback and Felicity couldn’t help but smile to herself. At least this gal got her sense of humor. She liked her already.

“This is a family matter,” he ground out. His eyes glared at her, like he was trying to somehow bore holes into her skull.

“Actually, since Southland Holdings is arranging the move, it’s a company matter. But, we are a family company, so I guess it could be both. Besides, I believe you have a practice or something to get to. I will make sure Talia is taken care of.”

“She’s right, dude. We need to get down to the pitch,” Cowboy said, leaning into the group. She had forgotten he was even standing there, he’d been so quiet through all this.

“Right. Okay. Talia, I guess I’ll see you back at the flat.”