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Kim glanced at Dallas, who was greeting two more newcomers by the door. Then she stepped closer and whispered, “What’s up with you lately?”
“You know. The slump I’ve been in…”
She gave me a skeptical look. “Trainers may specialize in physical ailments, but we’re also good at reading people. What’s really going on?”
I glanced around to make sure nobody was nearby, then sighed. “It’s that girl I told y’all about. Taylor.”
“Trivia girl!”
“That’s the one. I thought we had something real special. But she’s dating an asshole. And even if she weren’t, I can’t so much as smile at her because she works for Isabella.”
Kim winced. “Yeah, I can see how she would be problematic. But you can’t let her get in the way of things. If you really like this girl, and if it’s meant to be, then everything else should fall in place.”
“It’s not that simple.”
She shrugged. “Sometimes it is.”
“Hey, everyone!” Dallas announced. “Let’s gather in the living room. I have something to say.”
Kim and I followed him into the living area, where there was a bar and a table full of authentic Mexican food. As everyone gathered together—at least seventy people cramming into the area from the surrounding rooms—I stopped by the bar and ordered a beer.
Dallas waved for silence, then cleared his throat. “Thanks for being here. I wanted to say this later in the evening, but I just don’t think I can wait that long.”
Double-D cupped his hands over his mouth and shouted, “Dallas Lockett blows his load once again!”
Everyone laughed, especially when Dallas raised his bone saw threateningly. When the laughter died down, he continued.
“About a year ago, we were in a completely different place as a team. We had a losing record. There were managerial problems, especially with the head trainer.”
Great, I thought while sipping my beer. He’s trying to rally the troops after two losses. I just want to relax and enjoy the party, man.
“That trainer brought in a recent college graduate to prove a point to me,” Dallas said. “And then, to get back at her, I convinced MacMillan to hire this girl full time. But what started out as a bit of petty revenge turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.”
A few people awwed and patted Kim on the back. She smiled at Dallas lovingly.
“Kim,” Dallas said. “Every day since we’ve been together has been better than the last. It sounds cliché, but it’s true. And although I know nothing lasts forever, I want to see how long this goes.”
Dallas dropped to one knee, drawing gasps from the crowd. There was suddenly a ring in his hand.
“Kimberly Dresden, will you make me the happiest man alive by marrying me?”
Kim had dropped her big liquor syringe and was now holding both hands over her mouth. Tears shimmered in her eyes, and she bobbed her head up and down.
“This would be a lot sweeter if you weren’t holding that saw!” she choked out.
The guests roared with laughter. Dallas dropped the saw, put the ring on Kim’s finger, and then they embraced.
“Well I’ll be damned,” I said, turning back to the bartender. “Better give me something stronger than this beer, partner. We’re celebrating tonight.”
Everyone cheered. Dallas waved them off and said, “Sorry for interrupting the party. Eat, drink, and celebrate! DJ, turn the music back up!”
I accepted a whiskey from the bartender and quickly made my way through the crowd toward Dallas, who was currently accepting congratulations from our other teammates. I put down my drink, shoved Stevie out of the way, and clapped Dallas into a big hug.
“You sneaky sumbitch!” I said with a laugh. “So that’s why you made me come!”
He hugged me back fiercely. “Wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
We hugged a moment longer, then I turned and embraced Kim. “All right, show us the goods!” I said.
