Page 15 of Shot on Goal at a Second Chance (Midlife Meet Cute #6)

Rebecca

For the last several weeks, Jack has avoided me. When I’ve tried to catch him in his office, he either just left or is working from home since we’re in between seasons.

Poor Harper. I can tell she’s miserable trying to cover for him, which makes me even angrier at the man for putting his own flesh and blood in such an awkward position.

Meanwhile, my days have been filled with overseeing the ongoing renovations in the arena, plans for next season, and helping Gabe with the training camp he’s implementing with the team.

Most of the guys still come to the arena to train and work out during the summer anyway, so having time to acclimate to their new coach seemed to invigorate them about the upcoming season.

And then there’s Zach, who shows up with lunch on the days we won’t see each other in the evenings. Between our work schedules and his recent travels to Connecticut to visit Laney or in meetings with the SportsCentral executive team, we haven’t seen each other as much as he’d like.

Or that I’d like, for that matter. True to his word, Zach has taken every opportunity to show me how serious he is about us.

When he’s not in town, he calls every evening, keeping me on the phone for hours.

And when he’s here, he’s attentive, caring, and so very thoughtful of my needs, making me feel very spoiled and a little guilty.

Which is why I’m racking my brain, trying to think up something special to do for him. Something unexpected and romantic, like he’s done for me.

At the moment, however, I have to finish crafting an email to Jack, outlining my grievances and alerting him to the need for a discussion. I’m doing my due diligence in case this situation goes seriously south, which I suspect it will.

A knock on my door draws my attention upward. Gabe stares at me, looking more serious than I’ve ever seen him. In the short time he’s been here, I’ve observed more of his stoic nature. He’s a man of few words, but when he does speak, he’s thoughtful and often wise.

I close my laptop and wave him in.

“Sorry to interrupt, but this is important.”

The knot sitting in my stomach from writing that email twists a little tighter. What drama is about to land in my lap now?

“Okay, fill me in so we can deal with it.” I point to the chair in front of my desk.

Closing the door, Gabe nods his approval and then sits down. “One of the players asked me if the team is relocating, which I find incredulous and unlikely since you never mentioned that possibility during my interview or in my contract.”

I appreciate Gabe’s approach to giving me the benefit of the doubt. And I suspect I know who’s behind this latest hiccup.

Bristling, I tighten my lips. “And who did this player hear it from?”

“He overheard Jack on the phone.”

If I were at home, I’d scream into a pillow so as not to disturb my neighbors. Instead, I take a deep breath while I picture Jack packing up his office and leaving the premises. Escorted out, if needed.

“That’s not only unlikely but impossible. Sarabella is our home, and we’re not going anywhere.”

Gabe visibly relaxes. “That’s what I thought, but I wanted to be sure.”

“Then let me reassure you it’s not true, and I’ll make certain Jack knows it, too.”

He rises from his seat. “Sorry to be a whistleblower.”

“You’re not. You’re looking out for the team. You were right to come and tell me.”

Again, he simply nods and then leaves.

Once he’s gone, I open my laptop, finish the email to include this latest event, and hit send. Jack’s supposed to be at the arena tomorrow, according to Harper, so hopefully, this will get resolved by the end of the week.

“Harper?”

No creak of a chair this time. Just her soft footsteps. “Yes, ma—Rebecca?”

I give her a smile for remembering my request that she use my name. I’m not ready to be anyone’s ma’am. “I meant to ask how your new office furniture is working for you?”

Her eyes light up. “Great! I love it.” Her delighted expression shifts to concern. “Why do you ask?”

“I want to make sure you’re happy here, Harper.”

“I am, Rebecca.” She sits in the chair Gabe vacated. “And I would never do anything to bring harm to you or this team.”

Judging by the look she’s giving me, I think Harper just let me know she’s aware of her uncle’s inappropriate behavior and that she’s on my side. The girl is smarter than she comes across, but I’d never put her in a situation where she had to choose sides.

“I believe you and appreciate that. And so we’re clear, I in no way associate your position with anything other than the work you do here. You do a good job, Harper. I want you to enjoy working here.”

Her smile returns. “I do, very much.”

“Good. If you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to talk to me.”

“Of course.” She rises, then hesitates. “I love working for you, Rebecca. You’re honest and fair, unlike other bosses I’ve worked for.”

Understanding what she’s not saying, I nod and give her a small smile. “Thank you.”

Just when I thought my opinion of Jack Standish couldn’t fall any lower, it does. I can’t even imagine how he’s treated Harper in the past, although I have a good idea, considering the misogynistic way he’s treated me.

My phone chirps, alerting me to a text.

Zach: Hello, gorgeous.

Rebecca: Hello yourself, handsome.

Zach: Since I get back tomorrow, I made dinner reservations for us.

Rebecca: Shouldn’t you have asked first? What if I had plans?

Zach: Do you?

Rebecca: Yes, I do, actually.

Zach: With who?

I bite my lip, enjoying teasing him entirely too much.

Rebecca: My boyfriend.

Zach: Is that what you call me now?

Rebecca: What makes you think it’s you?

Zach: If I were there right now, I’d kiss you until you forgot all about him.

My heart picks up speed. I never imagined Zach as a sexy texter.

Rebecca: Is that a promise?

Zach: Guaranteed.

Rebecca: Can’t wait.

Zach: Neither can I.