Page 28 of A Vegas Crush Collection #3

big gestures of love?

Grant

“I’m liking what I’m hearing,” Max is saying. “The new coaching acquisitions seem solid, and I love the enhanced nutrition and training programming.”

“I just hope it all pays off. I took a few risks, but people seem to be on board for the most part.”

“Well, I can’t complain. I asked for new ideas and you’re giving them to me. There’s more buzz and energy around this place than I’ve seen in a while. I’m happy to see some real effort being put forth toward players beyond the starting lineup.”

“It’s the future,” I tell him. “Those guys are great. They’re a high-functioning unit and they’re leaders to the rest of the team, but they won’t be around forever. It’s just the way of the game.”

And it is. I’m a perfect example of this reality.

Players can be on the top of their games and have it taken away with one injury.

It’s the risk we take as athletes, and while it’s sad to see a great player injured or forced into retirement, the game is still a business, and the business needs to be sustainable beyond its superstars.

After I finish with Max, I take a walk down to the training rooms. Dale, our head fitness trainer, is spotting rookie forward Aiden Kennedy, as he works at the squat rack.

“How’s it going in here?” I announce my presence from the doorway.

Aiden grunts as he squats and pushes back up. With a laugh, Dale says, “Well, Aiden is probably going to put a voodoo curse on me after today’s workout, but otherwise, we’re good.”

Aiden snorts. “Dude, I went to Yale. No voodoo there.”

“Okay, well then, whatever kind of curse snobby rich people put on people, it’s probably coming my way.”

I can’t help but grin at the banter. I miss this part of being a player the most. Well, besides playing the game.

I miss having a group of guys that feels like a family.

Being in management always makes me feel just a step away from it all, a bit removed.

I think that’s why I was so excited to come here.

I’d heard there was this kind of magic happening in Vegas, and I see it every day.

It extends beyond just the relationships between the players.

“You know, Bud never really came down here,” Dale says as Aiden works through his next set of squats.

“I can’t say much about Bud, but I do like to know the staff and see what they’re doing for the team. I’m hearing great things about the training and nutrition programming, though.”

“Yeah, Devon and I make a good team,” Dale says.

I have to stop myself from physically reacting to his comment. It’s harmless. It’s a compliment to the work they do together, but it makes my blood boil, the thought of anyone making a good team with Devon.

My Devon, the possessive part of my brain bellows at him.

Except she’s not mine. She’s made it clear that she doesn’t want to keep crossing the line with me. It’s that thought that calms me. If she won’t cross the line with me, then she sure won’t do it with Dale.

I excuse myself with a, “Keep up the good work,” before heading down the hall to the therapy gyms. Pam, a blonde ray of sunshine, smiles as I walk in.

“Hey!” she exclaims. “I’m so glad to see you.”

I look over my shoulder and point to myself questioningly.

“Yeah, you,” she says. “I’ve been asking for new equipment since the day I got here. My requisition was, like, floating out in space somewhere awaiting Bud’s signature for who knows how long. You get here and, boom, my stuff shows up. If I wasn’t married and you weren’t my boss, I’d kiss you.”

“Well, I’ll settle for you being happy.”

“You are a man who gets things done. I respect that.”

“Happy to help where I can. All going well down here?”

Pam nods. “It’s early so we’re just working on old injuries now. Loosening the guys up.”

“Good to hear. Let’s hope we don’t have a high injury season.” I knock on a nearby wood table.

She crosses her fingers and holds them up.

“I do like the focus you’re putting on health and fitness.

When I was first hired, it was like Animal House up in here.

The guys partied constantly. Half their sweat during games was probably vodka.

They fought, and sometimes each other. It was kind of a shitshow, pardon my French. ”

“I’ve heard, but things seem to have settled down on their own.”

“They have, but this is like the 2.0 version. They’re in love with winning and they want to keep doing it, so they’ve realized that they can’t just rest on their talent alone. They must keep working, keep getting better. Keep working together.”

“That’s always the way. We have to keep getting better.”

“For what it’s worth, I think you’re just the right person to help make that happen.

I don’t know if anyone’s told you this, but Bud was rather absent.

He bumbled around here and there, but he wasn’t engaged with any of us.

I’m not certain he could have remembered my name—even after I danced around in a bunny costume on the ice. ”

Caught off guard, I let out a surprised laugh. Pam winks and says, “We like big gestures of love around here, Grant.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say, still grinning. “And I keep hearing that my predecessor wasn’t as active as he could or should have been. I don’t really want to disparage a man I haven’t met, so I think maybe let’s just focus on the future?”

“Sounds good, boss.” Pam grins, giving a mock salute.

I head out in the direction of Devon’s office after leaving Pam in the therapy suite.

I know I should just walk on by, but it’s not like I have much choice when it comes to her.

I do a lot of things differently where Devon Pearson’s concerned, and right now, I need to lay my eyes on her again, even if it’s just to reassure me she’s here.

When I see her light on, I pause for only a second before stepping into her doorway.

She’s concentrating at her desk, which means I can look at her without her knowing I’m here.

I notice the dark circles under her eyes first. Is she not sleeping?

My level of concern only rises when I notice how pale she looks.

“Hey there,” I say quietly. Still, she jumps. “That was my attempt not to startle you. You looked like you were concentrating pretty hard.”

Devon sits up in her seat and adjusts the cardigan she’s wearing, pulling it tightly around her midsection. “Hey there, to you. Just looking over some bloodwork for one of the guys.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, routine testing of cholesterol, triglycerides, and so on. Our nutrition programming is all based on their individual body chemistries, so I’m trying to make sure everything is in line. We’ll retest on red flag areas once we’ve been at it for a few months.”

“I’m hearing really amazing things about what you’re all doing down here. Your name comes up often. In a good way. Can I sit?”

Devon hesitates but then nods. “I’ve got a player coming in soon.”

I can hear the warning in her voice, and I don’t blame her. It’s awkward between us right now, but that spark is still there. I can feel it in every molecule of my body, and I want nothing more than to kiss her here and now, damn anyone who walks in on us.

Taking a seat, I ask, “You doing okay?”

She nods but there’s no energy in it. “I’m fine.”

“You look tired,” I say as gently as possible. “Burning the candle at both ends?”

“I assure you my work here is getting done,” she says with an edge to her voice. “I’m not doing side work while I’m here.”

“That wasn’t the point of the question. I know you’re doing good work here. I just remarked how you get compliments all the time. The guys love what you’re doing for them. You’re a rock star nutritionist. But you look like you haven’t been sleeping.”

“Well, I’ve had some things on my mind.” She looks away. To me, it looks purposeful, like she doesn’t want me to know what things have been on her mind.

“You know, I’m here if you want to talk. Always.”

“Thanks.” She looks down at her lap and then quickly back to the computer screen.

I sit for a few more beats before pushing up out of the chair. “Devon, I really miss talking to you.”

She looks up at me, and I can see the pain behind her eyes, but she doesn’t say anything in return.

“Why don’t you let me take you to dinner?” I suggest. “We’ll grab a bite and talk about how things are going with your side gig?”

“I don’t think that’s the best idea, Grant, and you know why.”

“Don’t say someone might notice us or some other garbage. I need to see you.”

Her beautiful mouth opens, then closes again. “I have class tonight.”

“Then we’ll set something up for later this week. Devon, I can’t—I can’t pretend I don’t want to see you.”

She’s quiet for a long stretch of time, but finally, she speaks. “Later in the week, then.”

I can’t help my sigh of relief. “I’ll text you.”

As I step out into the hallway, I realize one of our younger players is right outside the door, waiting for me to exit. I give him a nod and walk toward the elevator, hoping he didn’t hear too much of that conversation.

Shit. So much for being clandestine. The rumor mill is sure to blow up if he heard and interpreted our conversation the right way.

As I step onto the elevator, I feel such a sudden pang of sadness. This is ridiculous.

I really care about this woman, and I shouldn’t have to sneak around with someone I genuinely care about, like she’s my dirty little secret.

Other people have relationships around here.

Why can’t I? I’m going to talk to Max. Devon and I are a good fit for each other, and it’s so foolish to deny that.

I know the difference between something that’s good and something that’s not worth pursuing.

I lived the latter. I don’t agree that people will think I sleep with “staff” if I’m in a relationship with Devon.

And I’ll talk to Devon about my plan when we go to dinner.

I’m done with this shit. Fuck it.

Fuck. This. Shit. For real.

First, though, I’m heading to a cooking class tonight.