Page 23 of (La)Crosse My Heart (Sweet Sports Kisses #7)
Jessa
I knock on the door to Clark’s house, surprised I don’t see his car there. There are a few others, but it’s possible whatever they have, they just carpooled there.
“They had to head to the field,” Nora says, grinning at me from her porch.
“Oh, thank you. I’ll head over there, then. Did they say they had practice?” It was a little early for that, but maybe Coach Martin is trying to get a few extra reps in before the first series this weekend.
She shook her head. “Something about a press conference. It might be good if you’re there.”
I frown, wondering why it would matter if I’m there. Sure, Clark has made a lot of progress in his communication, but it’s not like I have to hold his hand to get it done.
I thank her and drive over, wondering what the press conference is for. To be honest, the track athletes I worked with were from a smaller school, so I wasn’t used to anything extra.
When I pull up to the arena, I’m surprised at how many cars are there. Is there a scrimmage I didn’t know about? I grab the camera bag from my trunk and walk in.
I follow the signs for the press conference and am surprised by the large room. There’s a table set up, covered in the Lancer logo and colors. Several microphones are spread out over the table and at least forty people sitting in the seats, chatting amongst themselves.
Coach Martin comes out first, followed by Clark, who’s dressed in one of the suits we’d had tailored. The fabric forms to his physique so well.
I can’t believe I was in his arms just twenty-four hours ago.
Behind him are the other roommates, each of them dressed in a variety of button-up shirts, slacks, and some with a tie.
I wonder if Clark made them do it.
They sit down behind the microphones, and I can only see Clark through a break in the people in front of me.
“Thanks for coming everyone,” Coach Martin says. The room quiets down, and all eyes are on the table in front. “We’re here to talk a little about what’s coming up this season. We’ll make our announcements and then we’ll open it up for questions.”
There are several cameras out, and while Clark is still looking a little uncomfortable, at least he’s not ghostly white, like in the past.
“First thing on the agenda is that we’ve chosen Clark Denton as the team captain for this year. He’s a fine young man and makes sure the team plays at a higher level every day. We’re happy to have him.”
“Are you sure he’s the best choice for that?” a voice says from the crowd. There’s something familiar about it.
“I do, in fact, think he is, or else I wouldn’t be up here announcing his name,” Coach Martin says with narrowed eyes.
A man stands and I can only see the back of him and a sliver of his profile, but my brain is still blanking on where I’ve seen him before.
“You want the guy who got his girlfriend fired from this organization to be responsible for an entire team? The guy can’t even speak on camera.”
I want to jump up and defend Clark, but he’s already speaking before I can form a response.
“Actually, I’ve learned a lot from her over the past little while. Invaluable things about perseverance through hard things and that it’s okay to laugh at yourself when things don’t go to plan.”
The man shakes his head and says, “I don’t know if there’s any coming back from your last viral interview, Denton.”
Standing, I say, “I’m pretty sure he just proved he can.”
I glance over at Clark and he’s grinning. All eyes are on me, and I hear a few people murmuring, wondering who I am.
“I don’t know what your beef with Clark is, but you’re probably the worst reporter I’ve ever seen.
It’s one thing to get a story, but another to tear the athletes down who put their whole heart and soul into prepping for their sports.
Maybe you didn’t get the chances you thought you deserved, but if I were your boss, I wouldn’t want you to taint my company any more than you already have. ”
The man glares at me. “So, Clark needs his girlfriend to defend him?”
I laugh and say, “He doesn’t, but I’ll gladly do it anytime I can.”
“I think it’s time to go, Richards,” Coach Martin says. He gestures to a larger bodyguard-looking guy, who makes sure to escort the reporter from the room.
“Okay, where were we?” Coach Martin jokes, glancing down at his notes.
The press conference goes on for another twenty minutes, but I can’t stop smiling at Clark. He’s grinning like he’s just scored the game-winning goal, and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.
When it’s all done, I get a text from him.
Meet me outside the locker room.
I have to weave through a bunch of reporters to get to the door and then practically run to where he is.
“What are you doing here?” he asks, pulling me into a hug. Before I can respond, he’s cupping my face with his hands and pulling me in for a heavenly kiss.
“I wanted to see you. Nora said you’d be here.”
“Did everything go okay with your boss?”
I nod, grinning. “She got fired and I got my dream job.”
His eyes grow wide. “Are you the team photographer?”
“Kind of. I’ll be making sure the social media is up to date. That means I get to travel with you and everything. I mean, if you want that.”
He uses his pointer finger to tilt my chin up so our eyes are locked. “I absolutely want that. And what they said about you being my girlfriend. I want to call you that, if you’re okay with it.”
Laughing, I say, “Absolutely. Who knew I’d fall for my brother’s best friend?”
“I definitely did not,” he says, laughing. “But I cross my heart that I’ll do everything I can to make you happy.”
I lean over and give him a slow kiss, savoring the moment before I pull back. “That’s a job only two people can fill. And I’m all in when it comes to you, Clark Denton.”