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“You could have pulled me aside privately and talked to me about it. Shayna didn’t have to know people were asking you.”
“It involves the both of you. Hell, you know what would happen, Lee.” He looks over my shoulder, nodding to a player who must be walking to his car.
I look over my shoulder. “Night, Elijah.”
Miles pushes off the car and steps toward me. “Listen, I’m just looking out for you. I know you with this girl, remember? You’re probably already naming your two kids and the family dog by now. I’m trying to help so it doesn’t all go to shit.”
I grip the back of my neck with my hand. “All right, thanks, I guess. But next time talk to me in private. You really freaked her out.”
He chuckles and grips my shoulder. “Okay, next time you fall in love with one of the athletic trainers on the team, I’ll be sure to speak only with you.” He shakes his head.
My mouth opens to deny the accusation that I’m in love with Shayna, but I can’t deny it. “Thanks, man. You’re a good friend.”
“Don’t mention it.” His hand drops and I step back.
“All right, I gotta get over to Shayna’s. We need to figure some shit out.”
He unlocks his doors. “Good luck. I’ll be rooting for you two kids.” Sarcasm fills his voice.
I roll my eyes and chuckle, then rush to my vehicle.
The drive over to her place is spent with me thinking of all the arguments I can make to Shayna to let me talk to management about us. We can’t go on like this indefinitely. I want to show her off to the world, let everybody know she’s mine, not hide in our apartments as though we’re doing something wrong.
I knock on her apartment door, and a few seconds later, she answers.
“Hey, shy pie.” I step inside and draw her into my arms.
She comes willingly, but there’s resistance that’s not normally there. It heightens my anxiety.
“We need to talk,” she says, pulling away first.
The worst four words in the English language when you’re involved with someone.
“I talked to Miles when I was leaving. He was just trying to help.”
She nods. “So he knows now too?”
I cringe. “I mean, yeah. I admitted as much, but only because he already knew.”
She blows out a breath and paces away from me. “This isn’t good.”
“It’s going to be okay. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
She stops her pacing and turns to face me. “What?”
“I think we should go to management and come clean.”
“We’ve talked about this. It’s a horrible look for me.”
“All right, I have to ask.” I hold up my hands. “Is this because you don’t want things to be more serious between us or is this because of work?”
Disappointment floods every feature on her gorgeous face. “This isn’t some excuse because I don’t have the balls to tell you I don’t want to be more serious with you, Lee. This is about me losing everything I’ve worked so hard to achieve. This is about everyone around me thinking I tried to sleep my way to the top.” She points at her chest.
“That’s not going to happen.” I grip her shoulders. “Let me handle it.”
She shakes her head. “No, let’s just wait until the season is over, then we can figure out a plan. The Kingsmen might not even renew my contract for next season—or yours.”
My forehead wrinkles. “We’re both getting renewed, and we’re going to be together.”
