Page 7 of Protecting Player #73 (Portland, Settlers #1 | Gridiron Warriors)
Brea
M y one-month trial run with the team ended yesterday, and as I walk out of the conference room after the team’s owner offered me a full-time, six-year contract, more than impressed with my work and ability to hype up the fandom for the season, I’m in a state of disbelief.
Staring at the freshly signed papers, I still can’t believe how much money they offered me. It’s twice the amount I asked for.
There have been a few hiccups along the way: a player or two acting too flirty for my liking, comments implying something happening behind the scenes that wasn’t, or the coaching staff occasionally forgetting I was there to help and becoming annoyed with me.
Apologies almost always follow, but I’ll never understand why, because they don’t owe me anything.
Well, maybe the flirtatious players, but I knew what I was in for when I signed up for the job.
The best part, so far, has been the trip to the children’s hospital three weeks ago with T.K.
, Cash, Jacob, Kace, and Mathias. The kids were so excited, asking all kinds of questions, hoping for autographs and pictures.
I witnessed it all. The parents’ tears from the visit that lit up their kids’ eyes.
The whispers of staff about how much the kids needed to forget about their treatments.
I took the time not only to record the team interactions with parents, kids, and staff, but also spoke with the children and adults afterwards.
I asked the staff how occasions like this help on the journey to healing and recovery.
That outing is likely what landed me this incredible contract.
I showed the fandom more than just some superstar athletes doing a little good.
I shared stories of the kids fighting for their lives, and because of it, significant donations were made to the hospital for ongoing treatments and to cover the costs for families who may be going into debt due to the illnesses their children were facing.
Never in a million years could I have imagined making such an impact on someone else’s lives doing something I enjoy. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity, though. I’ll accomplish as much as I can while I’m in a position to do so.
“Got some good news there?” Kace Walker stops me as I’m heading to the field.
Smiling proudly, I wave the paper in my hand. “I was just given my contract!” Kace high-fives me. This man is what I like to think a big brother would be. He’s kind and considerate and always looking out for me and the younger guys on his team.
“Drinks tonight?” he asks, and I beam like I’ve won the lottery. “Call Alex, see if she’s in town. She can join us, and I’ll round up a few guys. All my treat.”
“Really? Are you sure? You don’t have to.” I could squeal with excitement. Being part of the team is like having an extended family.
“Hell yeah! This is huge. You want to invite your folks, too?” I shake my head, heat igniting my cheeks, and Kace chuckles. “Yeah, I get it. We can be a wild bunch.”
I’m so glad he understands. “Can I invite my roommate? He’s been working like crazy all summer, and I’m sure a break will be nice.”
“Roommate or boyfriend?” His brows wiggle suggestively.
“Just a roommate. We’ve known each other since college, freshman year.”
He eyes me skeptically before informing me that he’ll look for me after practice. I decide to call my roommate now.
“Hey, B, what’s going on?” Thor has been such a good friend to me over the last four years. When he offered to share a house after we graduated, I was thrilled because I wasn’t ready to be entirely on my own, but I also didn’t want to go back home.
“I got the contract!” I squeal and draw the attention of a few staff members before controlling myself.
“Sweet! Congrats, B. We celebrating tonight?”
Relief washes through me. I was a little worried he might not like it because, for the past month, he’s been grumpy when I speak about my time with the team. Must be something with his own job, I guess.
“Yes. Kace Walker has offered to take me for drinks with a few of the other guys, along with Alex. I was hoping you would come too?” There’s a long, disquieting pause. “Thor?”
“Sports isn’t really my thing, Brea.” Crud, he only calls me by my name when he’s upset.
“It’s not really sports, though. It’s friends hanging out and celebrating.”
“Text me where and when, and I’ll see if I can make it.”
Bummed by my best friend’s reaction, I agree and hang up. His lack of support tarnishes my joyous mood.
“Why so sad, pup?” My body ignites at the sound of T.K.'s voice and the cute nickname he’s given me.
“Nothing,” I reply, pasting on a fake smile as I shove the papers in my bag and grab my sunglasses before he can detect the lie in my eyes.
T.K. is a very confusing man. One minute, he’s snarling at me and annoyed, and the next, he’s sweet and makes my heart flutter. I need to be careful around him.
“Don’t believe that,” he says, walking next to me, helmet in hand, full gear on for what I believe is a full-contact practice today. “Kace told me we’re taking you for drinks tonight to celebrate your official role.”
Why does he sound both annoyed and excited at the idea?
“I guess.” I’m fiddling with my recorder when I feel his hand on my shoulder, halting my forward momentum.
“Brea.” I lift my face to look up at him. He gently removes my sunglasses and holds my chin between his thumb and pointer finger. “Whoever has upset you isn’t worth the heartache.”
“It’s my best friend, though.” I say it like that makes it okay to be let down again. A flicker of memory punches through, and I recall more times that Thor has done this–put a damper on my excitement, made me doubt myself when I was excelling at something.
“Doesn’t matter,” T.K. whispers, leaning in closer, our lips only a few inches apart as his eyes search mine. “If they’re dulling your shine, they don’t deserve you.”
I hold my breath as he continues to list forward, our lips touching for the briefest second, and it’s heaven. Too bad a blaring whistle followed by cursing and then his name makes him pull back and sigh as he glares behind me.
I’m too embarrassed to look around as I try to slow my racing heart and pulse. “I’m okay. Go,” I say when he hesitates.
“I’m driving tonight.” With that, he jogs away, leaving me no chance to respond.
“I’m so screwed.” The warmth of his lips still buzzes on mine. “So, so screwed.” Shaking the feeling off, I take a seat on the sidelines and switch from video to stills, posting a few stats for today.
Cash and Kace are doing a few kicking drills, and as I angle the camera, I capture a glimmer of sunshine in the background, giving the image an ethereal glow.
I gradually move through the whole team, catching them in action before moving onto the coaching staff and even the cheerleaders.
The girls have been gracious when I’ve stopped to speak with them, and they’ve asked that I send any footage to their promotional team so it can be cross-posted and tagged to help build everyone’s online presence.
My time with the Settlers has been nothing but positive so far, and I realize just how grateful I am to Alex for suggesting me for this position. She got me in the door, but it’s my talent and knowledge that landed me the contract.
As I begin sifting through the photos on my camera and taking notes in my phone, a shadow looms over me. “Ready, pup?”
Squinting, I look up at T.K., who’s holding out a hand for me. “Why do you call me pup?” Rising to my knees, I wipe the turf off my dress and put my things back in my bag.
He shrugs. “Felt right.” That’s more of an answer than I anticipated. Taking his hand, he’s quick to grab my bag from me and intertwine our fingers. This man is so confusing. “I’ll jump in the shower, then we’ll head out.”
A nod is my only response because I’m unsure what’s happening here. I can’t date him. It’s literally in my contract. Should I nip this in the bud now? Will he be mad? Will I be making the biggest mistake of my life?
I need to talk to Alex. But she can’t know.
Groaning, I drop to the ground outside the locker rooms and bury my head in my hands as my mind swirls. I don’t know what to do because I don’t know his intentions, but I do know that above all else, I must protect my heart.