Page 49

FORTY-SEVEN

ARDEN

GINA:

I just got off the highway. I’ll be there in about ten.

ME:

OK. Dahlia just went into the owner’s office. I’m nervous. What is this about?

GINA:

There’s nothing to be nervous about. I promise. Just trust me.

I shove my phone into my purse, looking around the sterile waiting room as my leg bounces about a hundred miles per hour. When Gina called yesterday in a tizzy, telling me she was catching the first flight to Florida so we could meet with the Flare’s owner, I had a million questions. She was pretty vague, saying she was still trying to fill in some of the blanks, and promised to tell me everything she knew when she arrived. Unfortunately, her plane was delayed, so it looks like I’ll be finding out what’s so important at the same time everyone else does.

On top of the anticipation of what’s about to happen, I’m also nervous to see her for the first time since she and my dad visited. They left abruptly, which I don’t really blame them for, since they were pretty thrown off when they learned about Jackson, Hawk, and me. Other than business and surface-level conversation, we haven’t talked much. My dad checks in every couple of days via text, but I honestly think he’s waiting for me to break the ice.

It's been a few days since Jacks came home, and I know we’ll need to sit down with our parents and tell them we’re together for good—consequences be damned—but I’m certainly not looking forward to it. If Gina’s reaction before was anything to go off of, we have our work cut out for us in making them understand that we’re not breaking up. We make each other happy, and we aren’t willing to give up on what we have.

“Sorry I’m late,” she says, busting through the door. Her hair is wild and windblown, she’s wearing yoga pants and a t-shirt that she clearly tried to dress up with a formfitting black blazer, and she looks like she just did the most hardcore cardio workout. “Did they come out yet?”

I shake my head. “No. Dahlia went in with the owner and general manager about twenty minutes ago, but other than that, nobody’s been here. Can you tell me what’s going on?”

She plops down in the chair next to me, setting her tote bag on the floor at our feet before leaning close, making sure that if anyone comes into the room, they won’t be able to eavesdrop. “When you told me what was going on with your coach, it really bugged me. You’re an exceptional decision-maker, especially under pressure, so the fact that she wasn’t trusting you to be in control raised some red flags. I figured I’d just keep an eye on it, but when I saw how badly it was affecting your stats, I couldn’t stand by and let her continue to drive your career into the ground. So, I did some digging and was able to get ahold of your old college coach. He told m?—"

She’s cut off when the door opens, and the Flare’s general manager, Justin Ramos, pokes his head out. “Ladies, we’re ready for you.” I swallow the thick lump in my throat, standing and smoothing the wrinkles from my dress before following her into the office. It’s bright, the warm Florida sun filtering through the wall of windows. The team’s owner, Marcus Chambers, sits behind a luxurious mahogany desk, a stern look on his face as he greets us.

“Miss and Mrs. Levine,” he says with a nod, motioning to take the two empty seats across from him. I’ve only met him twice, but both times, he terrified me with his reserved, surly demeanor. You think I’d be used to it by now, considering one of my boyfriends is very similar, but it still makes me want to vomit every time I see him around the facility.

I turn toward my chair, catching Dahlia out of the corner of my eye. Her usual hardened expression is nowhere to be found, and it’s clear that she isn’t having the best day so far. She looks like they’ve already put her through the wringer—I’d have given anything to have been a fly on the wall for whatever went down before we were called in.

“Thank you for reaching out to us about your concerns,” Justin says to Gina. “Seeing as how the Flare hasn’t gotten off to a great start, we certainly want to know if something is going on that might affect the team. We were expecting better than a two-and-six record a month into the season, and on paper, we believe our players are capable of much more than that. So, hearing that there may be some discrepancies with our staff is something we want to address before it gets worse.”

Gina sits up straight, confidence radiating from her petite body as she addresses the group. “As Arden’s agent, it’s my job to make sure the organization is setting her up for success. When I found out that Ms. Owens was insisting on calling the plays from the sideline, it immediately raised some red flags. My client has played her position for years and has always shown how capable she is of making sound decisions. She works hard to learn her teammates’ likes and dislikes, and prior to their first match, had succeeded in creating an amazing dynamic with them on the court. So, I knew there had to be another reason for the mistrust, and excuse my frankness”—she looks over at Dahlia—“blatant sabotage.”

“That’s ridiculous,” she retorts with a scoff. But I don’t miss the way her wide gaze darts to me before focusing back on Gina.

Marcus sits forward, clasping his hands together on the desk in front of him. “That’s a pretty serious accusation, Mrs. Levine. Why would Coach Owens want her own team to fail?”

“Well,” she continues, “at first, I couldn’t figure that out either. But when I talked to Buddy Taylor, who coached both women at Penn State, it all started to come together.

“When Arden was a freshman, she was in line to become Dahlia’s successor. She worked hard every day, just as she has with the Flare, hoping to become the starter her sophomore year. But Coach Taylor started to notice how Dahlia’s attitude changed, and how whenever Arden wanted to put in extra work with her, she refused. So, he decided to change things up. It was a risk, but he planned on benching his senior and letting Arden start a few games. When he called Dahlia into his office to tell her, she threw a tantrum. He told her it was just until she proved that she could be a good leader, but instead of graciously accepting his decision, she quit on the spot. He never told his players what happened because he didn’t want it to cause a distraction, but he definitely didn’t hold back when pro teams were calling for recommendations. I believe Coach Owens has been using her own personal vendetta against Arden to ruin her career because she’s upset that hers ended the day she was benched. The Flare’s inaugural season record is just collateral damage.”

Both men turn to Dahlia as she sits with guilt written all over her beet-red face. She shifts uncomfortably, refusing to make eye contact with any of us as my jaw practically hits the floor. Was she really ready to let our whole team suffer because she didn’t want one player to win? And how could she hate me so much when all I did was try to learn from her? I wasn’t even aware of her reason for quitting until just now, nor did I know about Coach Taylor’s plan to start me over her, so why is she faulting me for any of it?

“Is that true?” Justin asks, eyes boring into her as her skin goes paper white. She fidgets with the ring on her finger for several moments, her attention bouncing around the room nervously before she finally speaks.

“She’s not good enough to be here,” she replies quietly, her words cutting like a knife to my heart as she fixes her gaze on me. “I tried to tell Taylor back then, and you both at the draft, but nobody wanted to hear me. She skated her way through college on the back of the team that I built , then got drafted to a pro team with some of the best hitters in the league—ones who would’ve made her look far better than she actually is if I hadn’t stepped in. The Flare deserves better than some below-average setter who’s been handed everything she has on a silver platter. They deserve greatness.”

Marcus’ expression goes tight, his chin jutting up as he regards her. “Ms. Owens,” he says firmly, “with all due respect, that was never your decision to make. We hired you to coach this team, not to run it into the ground because you couldn’t handle losing your spot to a better player nearly a decade ago. I’ve spoken to several of my athletes recently, all of which had nothing but kind words to say about Miss Levine as a teammate and captain. I’m appalled by your behavior, and I won’t stand for it. Your past may have slipped by your previous employers, but that ends here. Effective immediately, you’re relieved from your duties with the Flare. Assistant Coach Slater will act as interim head coach until we can find someone who embodies this organization’s morals and values. Now, please leave the premises before I have you removed.”

She freezes for several moments, her nostrils flaring with every sharp inhale until she stands abruptly and points an accusing finger between the two men. “You’ll be sorry,” she spits. “You’ve all been fooled, and I can’t wait to watch you fail without me.”

Justin smirks, giving her a patronizing nod. “Enjoy doing it from your couch.”

And with that, she turns, glaring at me and Gina as she exits the room. I’m still reeling from what just went down when Marcus turns my way, softening his expression. “Arden, please don’t let any of what that wretched woman said get into your head. We were very deliberate with our draft picks, and you weren’t chosen on a whim. We saw your exceptional talent and leadership abilities—and we’re sorry you had to endure such treatment during your first season here. Going forward, please come to us if you need anything.”

“Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down,” I reply, earning an affirming nod before he turns to Gina.

“Thank you again for bringing this to our attention. I’m sure you’ve got your hands full with your current job, but if you’d ever like to give coaching a shot, let me know. I’ve seen your highlight reels, and I think our ladies could learn a lot from you.” My eyes go wide, and a bright smile stretches across my face as I take in her shocked expression. She was an amazing player in college. Had she not been injured, I know she would’ve been a shoo-in for our Olympic team. Not everyone has the raw talent Gina does, and I have no doubt she’d be a phenomenal coach.

She clears her throat, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment. “Thank you, Mr. Chambers. Good luck with the remainder of your season.”

That wasn’t necessarily a no, was it?

We say our goodbyes before heading out of the building, quietly walking side-by-side through the parking lot. I have a million things to say, but for some reason, only one sits at the tip of my tongue as we stop at the hood of my car.

“About me and Jacks,” I say, looking down at my feet nervously. “I just wanted t?—”

“I knew it would come, eventually,” she cuts me off. My eyes shoot up, brows practically disappearing into my hairline as she continues. “You two were meant for each other. That was clear to me the first time I saw you together. I even mentioned it to your father before we started dating, but we couldn’t stop ourselves from falling any more than you and Jackson could. My reaction to it was all wrong, and I should’ve been more of a mother and less of an agent in that moment. I’m really sorry about that, Arden. You both deserved better from me. And as far as your relationship—it’ll take a little getting used to, especially with Hawk in the mix, but we’ll be okay. As long as you’re ready for the possible backlash when the public adds their two cents—which they will—I’ll be there to fight for you every step of the way.”

My eyes shine with emotion, and I reach out, pulling her into a tight embrace. Her comforting arms wrap around me, warming me from the inside out just like they always do as I inhale her signature perfume. Going so long without having her to confide in about everything has been extremely hard, and it made me realize how big of an impact she’s had on my life—both on the court and off. She’s always treated me as her own, and I’m beyond grateful for her love and support as we navigate what I’m sure will be a trying time for us all.

I pull back, batting at the tears that run down my cheeks. “Now we just have to get Dad on board,” I joke.

She huffs a laugh. “He came with me. He got a ride to your place, where I’m sure he’s having quite the talk with both of your boys as we speak.”

Oh, shit.

JACKSON

I clear my throat, uncomfortable silence hanging thick in the air as Slade stares, looking like he might strangle us with his bare hands at any moment. I’ve known this man for most of my life and have seen him in many situations, but I’ve never been more terrified of him than I am right now as Hawk and I wait for him to speak.

“So,” he begins, “I understand you’re both in a relationship with my daughter.”

Fucking awkward.

“Yes, sir,” Hawk pipes up, doing his best to sound confident when I know damn well that he’s shitting his pants too. “We love her very much.”

Slade narrows his eyes, looking between us. It’s giving off I’m plotting your murder vibes, and I’ve never wanted a conversation to be over as badly as I do this one right now. But stepdad or not, he’s the father of the woman I love, so I’ll be respectful and let him say his piece. “I have some questions before I give you my blessing. First of all, are you planning on marrying her? Having babies? How will all of that work?”

Fuck . As much as I know Arden is our endgame, we haven’t really discussed all of that in depth. It’s a complicated situation, and I have no idea how it’ll look for us. I open my mouth to tell him that, but Hawk interrupts with an answer.

“As far as marriage goes, it’ll be completely up to her. If she wants to marry one of us, that’s fine. If she wants to do a commitment ceremony where we all say our vows, but there’s no paperwork, we’ll be good with that. She’s the boss. And we’ll leave the babies up to fate. Whether Jackson or I end up being the biological father won’t matter, because we’ll always be a family, and we have plenty of love to give.”

I turn my head, several emotions swirling around in my chest as I look at him. It’s hard to believe this is the same guy who pushed everyone away, falling into darkness all alone night after night, until I came along and forced my way into his life. He’s worked so hard on himself, and I’m filled with pride as I watch him talk about the future like it’s the most natural thing ever.

“Okay,” Slade says, relaxing back into the plush couch cushions and pulling his foot up onto his knee. “And what happens when the public comes after the three of you for being together? You boys will get off easy, but I have a feeling they won’t extend the same kindness to Arden for dating two of Daytona’s most popular athletes at the same time. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to shield her from that?”

I swallow, glancing at Hawk to tell him I’ve got this one. As much as this particular issue scared me—and was a factor in my decision to leave—the answer to his question is crystal clear. “You’re right,” I begin, my expression softening as I speak. “People will talk. They’re going to call her names and question her character. But the thing I realized over the weeks we were apart is that the love we have for each other is stronger than anything some shitty keyboard warrior can throw at us. Hawk and I are prepared to show the world how we feel about Arden, and that having her heart makes us both better men. We’ll stand by her side, no matter what, and she’ll fall asleep every night knowing that she’s exactly where she belongs.”

Seemingly satisfied with my words, he nods his head, a ghost of a grin tugging at one corner of his mouth. "Alright, fine," he relents. “But if either of you hurt her, you’ll be dealing with me.”

“Dad,” Arden says, rolling her eyes in annoyance as she enters the room. “Leave them alone.”

His face lights up with pure happiness as he stands, welcoming his daughter with open arms. She melts into the embrace, smiling softly against his chest. I’ve always loved their bond, and one day, I hope I’m half the selfless father he is. “I’m just giving them the rundown, honey,” he replies. “Gotta make sure they’re taking care of my baby girl.”

“They’re perfect gentlemen.” She winks in our direction, almost making me bark out a laugh because we’re far from gentlemen when it comes to her. Just last night, Hawk told her what a pathetic slut she was while I overstimulated her with my tongue for hours. That’ll be our little secret, though.

We spend the rest of the evening hanging out with my mom and Slade, eating dinner and talking about what happened at the Flare facility earlier. I knew Dahlia targeting Arden had to be personal on some level, but I certainly wasn’t expecting it to go back so many years. Either way, I’m glad they took care of the situation so the world can continue to watch my girl shine.

We head to bed early since she has a match tomorrow and needs a solid night of sleep. It’s a little weird going into Hawk’s room instead of my own as our parents head toward the other end of the hall, but I’m relieved that we no longer have to hide from them. Do I plan on fucking her into oblivion while they’re under the same roof as us? No. But it feels good to know I can hold her while we sleep and not be worried about getting caught. Now that we have their approval, I have a plan to show the rest of the world just how happy Arden makes us, and how we’re never letting her go.