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“Things change,” I explain. “I don’t know if that’s the route I want to go anymore. I believe a lot of details need to be discussed regarding my position in the company. I’m no longer confident that it’s me y’all want, rather than just my program.”
His brows furrow. “We want both.”
“Which is refreshing, but at this time, I am not ready to discuss any purchase options for my program. I also don’t want to relocate.”
I see his jaw tick, and I can feel how uncomfortable Troy is. “When you signed on, you were fine with relocating.”
“Once more, that has changed for me. I want to put down roots here.”
He nods slowly. “That could pose a problem for us.”
“I am aware, which is another reason why I’m not sure I want to discuss selling my program anymore.”
He runs his hand down his mouth, obviously flustered. “Okay, we can discuss this again at a later time. But for now, I do need to tell you that your contract states you can’t be romantically involved with an athlete you work with through CapitalCare.”
I take a deep breath and hold up my finger to stop him. “If you check my logged-in time and D’Artagnan Miklas’s files, you will see that my hours on the clock will not include him. I did all his scans on my time.”
“Yes, but you used our cameras, didn’t you?”
Oh, he thought he had me. “I didn’t. Troy has your set, and I have a set that I purchased four months ago when Troy and I would split up to get more work done.”
Mr. Richardson’s throat works as he holds my gaze. “It is unprofessional to be sleeping—”
“Mr. Richardson, let me stop you there,” I say, sitting up so my back is straight. “Who I sleep with and who I don’t is not the concern of this company. You don’t get to decide it’s okay for me to sleep with your nephew but not the man I love. If my relationship with D’Artagnan Miklas is an issue for you and yours, I have no problem ending our relationship.”
His eyes dance with his perceived victory. “It would be best if you did end the relationship.”
“Fine,” I say, standing up. “I quit.”
Troy’s eyes widen as I look at him. I could cuss him out, I could even throw the tablet at him, but he doesn’t deserve any more emotion from me. Mr. Richardson is trying to stop me and is calling my name, but I ignore him as I gather my things and take off my long-sleeved CapitalCare work shirt, leaving me in Dart’s IceCats player tee.
I didn’t wear his shirt on purpose; it was honestly the first thing I saw when I got out of the shower, but now, as I walk away from Troy and this company, Dart’s name across my back, it’s the pièce de résistance. A huge fuck you, just the way it should be. Like I’d choose this job over Dart. Please. With each step I take, I only feel more confident in my choice and I get closer to the only person I would choose over and over again.
Dart.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Dart
I get out of the truck when I see her coming down the stairs of the practice facility.
The smile on her face when our eyes meet takes my breath away, but when I see she is wearing my IceCats tee, I’m wrecked to my core as tears burn my eyes. I don’t want to lose her, but I also don’t want to trap her. I swallow thickly as I take her bags, and without control, I lean in for a kiss from her. I can’t not kiss her when I’m near her. I need her as much as I need the next breath of air in my body.
“So, get this shit,” she says all animatedly and beautifully. “Troy was being a douche canoe the whole time, and I was getting so pissed. He said the company was lucky to have a program that did so much for the athletes. Ugh. Excuse me, the program doesn’t work without me!”
I only nod as I open her door and then the back to put her things in.
“So, then we have a meeting with his uncle, the CEO, and he brings up that I’m living with you.”
My stomach twists as I nod. “That’s none of his fucking business.”
I shut the back door and wait for her to put her legs in the truck as she says, “Exactly!”
I shut the door, the dread heavy in my stomach as I move around the truck, getting in, and she continues. “He was so arrogant and thinking he had me under his thumb. And let me tell you, my daddy raised me to always stay five steps ahead of anyone I work for. He’s been telling me not to sell my program for anything, that I’m sitting on a gold mine. Everyone at UT and Vandy knows that, and I didn’t listen. But then, it’s okay that I didn’t, because if I had stayed in Nashville, I wouldn’t have linked back up with you, and I wouldn’t be as happy as I am now, ya know?”
