Page 3 of 4th and Goal (Season of Change #4)

I take a deep breath as the elevator doors open on the admin level of the athletic complex.

It’s a Monday morning, bright and early.

The campus is buzzing with new energy on the first day of classes.

Our first football game is this Saturday.

We’ll probably lose, but that’s expected when playing last year’s champions.

No matter, we’ll bounce back, we always do.

We have an exceptional team of players this year, and despite Coach Heacock being a continued thorn in everyone’s side, Assistant Coach Brandon Beiler and the rest of the staff have been working hard during training camp.

My fingers itch with the urge to plot and plan some more for our ad campaign.

After my disastrous date with Conner, I spent the rest of the weekend working from home.

I did soak in the tub for a while last night after forcing myself to put my laptop and phone away.

I haven’t heard from Conner, and I can’t muster up any sadness about it.

I did not like his behavior and while I can chalk it up to an off night, something about it all left me unsettled.

I did speak to Jenna Nemac, the cheer coach, for a bit and we hashed out an exciting new photospread featuring Daya Moul.

We’re waiting to see her and Elijah Addelsbach in action at this weekend’s game, then finalize the shot list for another student I’m tapping to help bring Daya’s magic to the masses.

Edith Shingleton is on the school paper as a photojournalist and is this season’s photographer for the football team.

Her work is incredible, and I can’t wait to see her take on Daya and Addy.

I turn on the light in my office, set my bags on my desk and inhale once more. Smells like possibilities!

And something distinctly masculine—

“Good morning, Miss Geddes!” I nearly choke on my exhale as Brody fills my doorway, looking like a scrumptious…

coworker . Dammit, woman. It was easier when he was on vacation, even though I missed him greatly.

Since the moment I smiled up at him awkwardly on the first day of my internship, I’ve been smitten with Brody Zeigler.

He’s older, mature, compassionate yet tough, handsome, and a big burly teddy bear lumberjack that I want to climb like a tree and suck the honey—

“HI!” Good Lord, we both wince at the volume of my voice.

That metaphor was completely inappropriate and didn’t make any sense by the end of it.

“Hello, Brody. How are you this morning?” I sigh, drop my head back and close my eyes.

That was worse. Brody chuckles good-naturedly, walking further into my office.

I plop down in my chair, open my eyes and smile at him from across my desk.

He shifts in one of the guest chairs I have, it creaks from his size.

He’s not fat, he’s just big. 6’4” of muscle but not ripped abs and defined arms. I don’t know what it is about his body that sets me off, but I have burned through a few personal pleasure devices in my daydreaming about his weight pressing me into the mattress.

He’s solid. Played football back in the day, and was quite good, but never went pro.

“I’m well, thank you for your inquiry, Miss Geddes. And how are you this fine morning?” He crosses his legs, his large hands folded in his lap, a serene smile tipping his sumptuous lips.

I have to break up with Conner. Aside from his unsavory behavior Saturday night, I know this thing between us has run its course.

On paper, he’s perfect. In person, he’s a dud.

Or I’m a dud. I don’t know, but there’s dudness somewhere.

Also, I feel icky lusting after a man while technically attached to another.

I’m not a skank. I say NO to skankiness.

Shaking that ugliness off, I smile at Brody as I unpack my bags. “I’m excited! It’s the first day of school!”

“You’ve always been that girl, haven’t you?” he asks with a grin.

“What girl?”

“How many times have you sniffed a new notebook? Lined up all your sharpened pencils?” He leans forward, his brow furrowing, eyes alert.

“Tell me you didn’t read over the syllabus and do the entire semester’s homework that first week?

” I gasp in shock, and he starts laughing so hard, tears run down his cheeks.

He’s so beautiful. Especially like this, even if he is making fun of me.

His laugh is deep, hearty, and contagious.

“What are you, a wizard?” I set my laptop down and open it, my posture stiff. “I highly doubt I’m the only one who’s done that.”

“Nobody as cute as you.” We both sober immediately, the words like landmines between us. I stand, though I’m not sure why. He stands. We’re both standing. “I’ll be around if you need me.”

I wave robotically long after he’s left my office. I check the carpet for tire marks, but none appear. My legs give out and I fall back into my chair and almost to the floor before I catch myself.

Nobody as cute as you.

He thinks I’m cute. My nerdiness is cute to him. Is cute good? Am I cute like a little kid? Or am I cute like a woman he wants to sex up and spend the rest of his life giving orgasms to?

I need to break up with Conner. And I need to call Jenna because what the frick does “cute” mean?