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“Some of us also have a personal life,” Levi said in a tense tone.
I rolled my shoulders. “I am aware of that. Believe me, if I had a better alternative, I wouldn’t be springing this on you. But if we don’t take advantage of this opportunity, they’ll just move on to the next soccer team. I can’t make up for the lost personal time, but I can ensure that your time there will be as pleasant as possible. I’ve preemptively made reservations to the Box.”
Through the wave of complaints, I heard a few appreciative whistles. The Box was a very coveted and exclusive bar.
“Heard the wait list to get in is at least two months,” one of the boys said.
“I pulled a few strings.” I tried not to look too pleased with myself.
“Are you bribing us?” Jace asked lazily. It was the first time he’d spoken since my announcement. Amusement flickered in his eyes.
“Yes, yes, I am.”
Jace gave me a thumbs-up. Andrew grinned at me. “You know what, throw in some tickets to the basketball game that weekend, and you have my support.”
“Done.” I clapped my hands, looking at everyone else. I felt bad for springing this on them and ruining their plans, but honestly, the opportunity was too good to waste it.
“Are you coming with us?”
That came from Jace. He’d asked the question casually, but I didn’t miss the sly note and the way he was looking at me... hot damn. He had to stop doing that, because I felt as if my panties were about to burst into flames.
“Yes, of course.”
The right corner of his mouth lifted in a half smile, as if he had something in mind for me.
“I’m in.” Jace turned to the rest of the team. “Come on, don’t be sticks in the mud. New York is fun. You can turn back to your regular routines in our other off days.”
I loved that he had my back. I’d reward him later for that. In the end, the entire team agreed. Some were more enthusiastic than others, but that was the best I could have hoped for.
Jace went to sit on the bench along with a few others while I discussed some details with Andrew. Over the captain’s shoulder, I had a direct view of Jace. He had his training bag on the bench and winked at me as he took out his phone, tapping his thumbs on the screen. I knew he was texting me even before I felt the vibration in my tote announcing an incoming message.
My pulse went haywire during the rest of my conversation with Andrew and rose to a full-blown staccato when I read Jace’s text.
Jace: Meet me in the gym at ten to six.
Chapter Eleven
Brooke
Six o’clock couldn’t come fast enough. Unfortunately, at around three, my scheduled phone call was pushed back to six.
Brooke: Change of plans. I have a phone call at six, so I’m going to run my errand real quick now. Call will last about two hours. See you tomorrow?
Since I’d be spending the evening at the club, I wasn’t feeling guilty about taking a break now. Jace didn’t answer, but I wasn’t expecting him to. The team was having a practice.
I jogged to my car and checked that all the boxes with supplies were secured in the trunk and the back seat. When I was about to open my door, I heard Jace’s voice behind me.
“Brooke!”
I whirled around. “What are you doing here? Everything okay?”
“We agreed we’d go together.”
“I know. But you were in a training session, and my schedule changed. Wait a second, you’re still supposed to be in training.”
He came to a stop in front of me. “Took a break card.”
My eyes bulged. I knew Dad’s rule: each player had three break cards during each season, meaning they could skip practice. Family emergencies were covered outside of that.
