Page 14 of Shot on Goal at a Second Chance (Midlife Meet Cute #6)

Zach

“Did I catch you at a bad time?” It’s not Chase’s question that stops me in my tracks, but the underlying tone.

I stop next to my car but don’t get in. After lunch, I walked Rebecca to her office despite her protests.

I wanted a moment alone before returning to mine.

Let’s just say I’m glad her office doesn’t have windows.

Kissing her is fast becoming my favorite thing to do.

However, I wasn’t expecting a call from Chase, so he must have something new up his sleeve. “No, heading back to work. What’s up?”

“I didn’t send your contract back to SportsCentral yet.” There’s an edge of excitement to his voice.

Did he negotiate a better deal with them? “Why not?”

“I was still working an angle with ESPN, but didn’t want to get your hopes up.”

Suddenly, my tie feels too tight, so I loosen the knot. “And?”

“They want you, Zach. It’s a basic offer but a foot in the door. We did it!”

His enthusiasm washes over me. Perspiration breaks out on my forehead. It’s a hot, humid day in Sarabella, but I know that’s not the only reason I’m sweating. I get in my car and blast the AC, undoing the top button of my shirt.

“Zach? You still there?”

I’m struggling to say something to him, because I’m not sure what to make of my lack of excitement. All I can think about is what this would mean for Rebecca and me, especially in light of what I told her.

That I’m not going anywhere.

“Yeah, I’m here,” I rough out.

“I thought you’d be excited. Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“Yes…maybe.” I drag a hand through my hair. “I don’t know.”

The silence draws out until Chase lets out a soft whistle. “It’s her, isn’t it?”

I clear my throat. “Yeah.”

“Well, as your agent, you should jump on this before the offer goes away. They’re literally making a spot for you on this one. And you’ll be closer to Laney.”

No point in mentioning that my niece has no plans to stay in Connecticut, which takes some pressure off of me. So this is really about me and what I want.

“And as my best friend?”

“Second chances don’t come around that often.” He doesn’t say anything else, doesn’t explain what that means, and he doesn’t tell me what I should do.

He doesn’t have to because I already know.

I want Rebecca.

“Give me some time to think about it?”

“Yeah, sure, man. No problem. I’ll send the offer so you can at least put eyes on it.” He pauses. “So, you two are getting serious, then.”

“Maybe.” I want to say yes—I really do. But until Rebecca says she’s in this for real, I’m not about to jinx it by jumping ahead of things. Guess some of those hockey superstitions still stuck with me.

“You know, she might see my pretty face when I come visit and decide to go with a sure thing.”

“As if,” I growl.

He chuckles. “Call me by the end of the week.”

“Will do.”

I open my contacts and call Laney. We always talk about big life decisions together, and I’m ninety-nine percent positive she’ll tell me she’s fine with my staying in Florida. But it’s still important that I include her in this decision.

“Hi, Uncle Zach. What’s up?”

I grin at her words because she sounds just like I did a moment ago when Chase called. Laney’s the closest thing to the daughter I never intended to have. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss my sister, but raising Laney like my own was the good that arose from out of a horrible situation.

“ESPN came back with an offer.”

She squeals so loud I have to pull the phone away from my ear. “That’s great! I’m so happy for you.”

“How would you feel about me staying in Florida?”

“Wait, what? Didn’t you just say ESPN—your mother ship—offered you a job?”

I chuckle at her analogy. “They did.”

“Does this have something to do with that old friend you had dinner with the other night?”

“Maybe.”

“Uncle Zach…”

“Yeah?”

She lets out a sigh that reminds me of when she was little. “Don’t you think it’s time you had another woman in your life besides me?”

Her words strike a raw place in me I didn’t know existed. Guess I buried it down well enough to believe it didn’t exist anymore.

“So, you’re cool with Florida being home base?”

“Find something near the beach, and we’re good.”

I chuckle. “Deal.”

“Uncle Zach?”

“Yeah, peanut?”

“I can’t wait to meet her.” Her voice sounds dreamy as if she’s watching one of those rom-com movies she loves so much.

“Me, too. I think you two will hit it off.”

“I have to get to class, but I want details next time. Promise?”

“I promise.”

The connection ends, showing me the time. I have a meeting with a real estate agent this afternoon, but I’m rethinking the specifications I gave her. If I plan to make Sarabella my permanent home—with Rebecca—we might need something a little bigger than a condo.

I’m moving fast—I know. Maybe it’s the hockey player in me, but one thing is certain.

I’m not letting a chance to build a life with Rebecca slip out of my hands again.