Page 42 of Over the Moon (Rosewood River #3)

thirty

. . .

Eloise

I spent the night at Clark’s for the first time last night, and I didn’t feel anxious about it. Spending time with Emerson and Cutler helped me to see things more clearly.

I was starting to think that coming forward about our relationship might be the best thing to do. Sneaking around wasn’t really in my nature.

And keeping this from my father made me feel physically ill.

I just needed to figure out the best way to do it.

I was sitting at my desk, the door open, when Randall poked his head in. “Hey, can you oversee the workout this morning? Something came up.”

He was unusually pleasant, which was a nice surprise.

“Of course. I’d be happy to. I don’t have anyone on my schedule until this afternoon.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it,” he said, and I had to make a conscious effort not to let my jaw fall open in surprise before he turned and walked away.

No snarky comments.

No reminders about staying in my lane or growing a thicker skin.

I made my way to the gym, just as all the guys arrived. I led them through the first set of strength-training exercises as they belted out the lyrics to “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers as it piped through the speakers.

“Is it just me, or is it much more pleasant having Doc here instead of the grump?” Weston said, and laughter erupted around the gym.

Clark’s gaze found mine, and he smiled, and my stomach fluttered in response.

This man affected me in ways I couldn’t explain.

“I couldn’t have said it better,” Lefty said, tossing me a wink before clapping Clark on the shoulder as they switched machines with one another.

“Stay focused on the workout, please,” I said, trying to appear serious when I was fighting back a laugh.

“Doc is all business!” Wizz said. “I dig it.”

They took a break to drink some water between sets, and Weston was the first to start the questions. “What was Coach like as a dad? Was he a hardass?”

“Nope. He was kind of a softy with me, aside from expecting me to work hard at school.”

“Are you serious?” Adams bellowed. “That dude scares the shit out of me when I’m on the ice. He shows no mercy.”

Now it was my turn to laugh. “He’s supposed to be that way when he’s at work. But at home, he was just—a really good dad.”

Lefty scratched at his scruffy beard. “Damn. I’m going to stop talking shit behind his back. I never pictured him at home. The man haunts my dreams when he’s shooting me those daggers to get my head in the game.”

More laughter.

“Well, anyone who can scare the shit out of Lefty should win coach of the year. It’s his job to get your ass moving,” Clark said as he motioned toward the machines. “We need to get one more set in before we get out on the ice. Beefcake is expecting a good showing, so let’s get this done.”

I sat there with my notebook, writing down the workout they completed to upload into the portal later for Randall.

Once they finished their last set, they went to grab some lunch that Talia had brought in for them before they headed out to the ice.

Clark and I were in the back of the group, and after they turned one way, he pulled me down a little hallway in the opposite direction and pushed me up against the wall and kissed me. When he pulled back, he stroked the hair away from my face.

“Hey, Weeze,” he said.

“Hi.” I sighed, as I ran my fingers over his scruff. “You’re getting a little bold, huh?”

“No one is around, and I needed to kiss you.”

This man had a way of stealing my breath by simply existing.

I was this weird mix of elated and terrified when it came to my feelings for him.

I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I wished I could just enjoy it and be in the moment, but the fact that it was a secret and that there was a lot at risk for both of us made it so complicated.

“Yeah?”

“That’s my favorite part about knowing you’re mine,” he said, his green eyes locked with mine. “That I get to kiss you whenever I want to. But there’s so much more I want to do with you, Eloise.”

“What do you want to do?” I whispered.

“I want to take you to dinner. I want to pump your gas for you and hold your hand in public. I want to send flowers to you at work and take you to lunch in the middle of the day. And I want the whole fucking world to know that you’re mine.”

My breath caught in my throat, and my teeth sank into my bottom lip. “I like the sound of that. We just need to figure out how to do this.”

He nodded. “Agreed. Even Cutler thinks the whole thing is ridiculous.”

I chuckled. “He’s a smart kid.”

“I know you’re nervous, but we’ll figure it out. I won’t let this fall on you.”

“Randall is looking for a reason for me to leave, and apparently, he’s good friends with Duke Wayburn.

So giving him anything against me is not going to fair well for me.

And what if they turn this on you, and you get cut from the team after this season for violating the contract?

” I blew out a breath. “This is our reality, Clark. Are you sure you wouldn’t resent me if you didn’t get to play for the team that you love?

We would be forcing their hand. They’d have to do something. ”

He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I’m not letting this fall on you.”

“Listen, we don’t have to decide this right now. You go grab some food, and I’ll meet you out on the ice, okay? Let’s give Beefcake a good show,” I said.

“Count on it, baby.” He leaned down and kissed me. “Love you.”

“Love you,” I said, as he leaned closer, and all I wanted to do was get lost in this man.

But this wasn’t the time or the place.

I pressed my hands against his chest, my words breathy. “Go, Hotshot.”

His lips turned up in the corners and he took a step back. “See you soon.”

I went back to my office, ate my salad at my desk, and typed in the workout from today for Randall, along with some notes about their progress.

I met Emerson and Cutler out on the bleachers and took the seat beside them. My dad came over and said hello, as he’d met them at a couple of games last season.

My father took his place down by the ice.

I stayed seated beside Emerson, and Cutler stood when the guys came out onto the ice.

I scanned the room and noticed Sebastian was here, but I was most surprised that Randall hadn’t shown up.

He must have something going on today because he never missed practice or time on the ice.

The next hour was spent rotating players as they took turns scoring. Clark definitely stood out, and after both of his goals, he held his arm up and waved at Cutler.

His gaze always found mine.

Clark took off his skates and came over to see Beefcake and Emerson before he hit the showers. They had to head home today as Cutler had to get back to school, and Emerson needed to get back to work. It was a short trip, but I was grateful I got to spend some quality time with them.

“Listen, I want you to call me if you need to talk, okay?” Emerson whispered so only I would hear her. “It’s going to all work out. You just need to have faith in that. But I know it’s uncomfortable right now, and I hate this for you. For both of you.”

I nodded. “Thank you so much. I’ve loved having this time with you guys. Drive safely, and text me when you get home, okay?”

I gave her a hug and then bent down and wrapped my arms around Cutler. “Love you, Beefcake.”

“I love you, Eloise Gable. You’re my girl. Don’t you forget that,” he said, tossing me a wink.

This kid had more charm in his pinky finger than most grown men had in their whole bodies.

I chuckled and waved goodbye as Clark walked them to their car.

I headed back to my office to finish up a few things before I made my way home for the day. I spent the next hour checking emails and getting caught up on some admin tasks.

Just as I was shutting down my computer, my desk phone rang.

“Hello,” I said.

“Eloise, this is Sebastian. I need to see you in my office right now, please. It’s urgent.”

He wasn’t his normal, friendly self, which immediately put me on edge.

“Um, sure. I’ll be right there.”

He ended the call abruptly, and I reached for my purse and made my way to the admin offices one floor above mine.

I’d never gone to his office before, but I knew it was two doors down from my father’s. When I opened the door, a woman sitting behind a large cherry wood desk looked up at me.

“Hi, Eloise, they’re expecting you.” She pushed to her feet and led me to a closed door before knocking and pushing it open.

They’re expecting you. As in more than one person.

My stomach tightened immediately when I saw Sebastian, my father, Randall, and Scarlett, the head of Human Resources all sitting there.

The door closed behind me, and I stood there awkwardly, my father’s gaze locked with mine.

I saw the hurt in his eyes.

The disappointment.

He knew. They knew.

A pit settled deep in my stomach, and I clasped my hands together to try to stop them from trembling.

Sebastian motioned for me to take the only open seat, between my father and Randall.

“Eloise, we’ve had something brought to our attention, something that is against team policy and cause for immediate termination if so proven.

We’d like to hear from you if this is true, and Scarlett is here as the human resource representative.

Your father was called in as he is the coach of this team, and he’ll have to be involved in how this affects his player.

The fact that you’re his daughter involves him in a unique way.

” Sebastian’s words were not delivered with any anger, and I saw no judgment in his eyes.

I couldn’t say the same for everyone else.

There was a lot of mixed emotions in this room.

Excitement radiated from Randall. The man had never shown any sort of joy, yet in this moment, he exuded it.

Scarlett appeared uncomfortable, but I couldn’t tell if it was with me or just the fact that she’d been dragged in here.