Page 39

Chapter 39

Evie

As hard as it was to wake up early this morning, after celebrating until late with the team in the club, I wouldn't change anything about Sunday. Even if my Monday looks like any other Monday for me, with emails piling in my inbox and PR calls on my schedule, my mood is impeccable.

For one, I got to wake up with Logan by my side. As soon as my alarm went off, he brought me closer and mumbled in my ear, asking me to stay for another five minutes. I did, because I couldn't help myself. Then I rushed and got through work with a smile on my face.

Not even my new debt repayment spreadsheet ruined my mood. After talking to Logan last night and inputting all numbers in the document, we came up with a plan that lets me breathe a little easier. I keep opening it and closing it during my morning tasks, just to stare at the numbers again to make sure this is really possible, and really happening.

I have just sent a text to my parents, letting them know I'll be there before they go to work during my lunch break, when Selena herself knocks on my open door.

I smile. "Selena! Hey! Can I help you? You didn't have to come to my office, I would have been happy to go to you."

She waves my words away, dismissing my protest.

She sits on the chair in front of me. "Do you have a minute? I wanted to chat with you."

"Of course."

"I'll keep it short. This season has been everything I wanted. I'm here because I know you have a part in that."

"I'm glad to hear you're pleased."

"I am, very much. That's why I'm excited to give you the promotion I promised."

I barely hold back the gasp, or the joyful scream building in my throat. Excitement and relief entwine inside, and my hands go to my chest, like I need them to contain my heart in there."

My smile grows wider. "Thank you, Selena. You have no idea how much this means to me."

I got the promotion. My work as a PR exec is valued, and I earned this recognition. It doesn't matter that the raise may not convince the bank, when I have a much better plan now. Because it means that I don't need the promotion as much as I want it, and I got it.

"You deserve this promotion ten times over, Evie. I'm here because I wanted to make sure you know I see what you've done this year. Not only did you help me with the vision I had for Logan, but you remained on top of your role with everyone else. I'm happy to show you this way how much we appreciate you."

She gets up and I do too.

Selena shakes my hand with a bright smile on her face. "Someone from HR will pop by shortly with the offer letter. I'm glad to have you supporting the team for this new era of the Strike. "

I sit back once she leaves, my chest light. My grin is a million watts in potency, and I dance on my chair. Without much thought, I grab my phone, take a selfie, and text it to Logan.

Evie: say hi to the new Senior PR Executive for the Strike.

I can still feel tingles all over when I make it to my parents' house.

We face each other much like we did months before, when they first told me about their plans to expand the business. They sit in front of me on the couch, and we all have coffee by our sides. The difference is that, unlike that time, I feel weightless. Not because there are no challenges, but because there's a plan. And I won't have to face any of it alone.

"I have good news," I start. "I got the promotion I've been counting on."

"Felicitaciones!" They grin with joy for me, though I can see nerves in their eyes, too.

I smile. "Thank you. I'm very happy. The owner was so nice to me. Very encouraging for what I've been doing this year."

"We're so proud," Dad says.

"Thank you both." I nod, but my smile falters. "It's a great step in my career, though… well… we all know that with the latest letter, it won't be enough to save the house."

I've known this for a while, and it still manages to dim the shine on my day to say the words out loud. I lick my bottom lip and watch my parents' reaction.

My dad slumps. My mom's face crumbles. They share a long, sad look.

"Maybe it's a good thing," Mom says. "To finally have this over with."

"You have carried this with us too long, hija," Dad adds. "You did everything you could."

Regret fills his face. A weight pulls my chest down, begging me to make it better. And I will, but I'm learning not to rush to their rescue.

I take a deep breath to soften the feeling weighing me down. "The thing is, I have a new plan. I think we can save the house. "

The change in my parents is immediate. They perk up and stare at me with confusion and hope.

"?Qué?" Dad asks.

"I just need to know…" I gaze from one of them to the other. "Is the business secure?"

"Dile, Ismael," Mom says. "Let her know what we're doing."

They exchange another look, before my dad faces me with serious eyes.

"We did an entrepreneurship course," he says. "Through that, we got connected to a not-for-profit that helps people with businesses like ours. We got a grant. A really good grant."

"We had to reorganize our business plan." Mom gives me a small smile. "We will be able to buy the food truck. We will get to minimize liabilities and give ourselves the raise we have been needing. If we manage to pay the debt principal, hija… Mamá and I can take over the penalty payment."

"What?" I breathe.

Dad nods. "We were waiting to hear from the grant people to tell you. We didn't want to give you false hopes, in case we didn't get it. Or if we had to make a whole new budget, if we lost the house."

I stare at them, trying to process their words. My brain is silent, like it's waiting for the punchline, or the other shoe to drop. Until the first thought clicks, then the next.

This means the business is secure. Their retirement is planned for. The house is safe. And I'm free from carrying debt too big for me, that I never accrued.

My parents will be okay, and so will I.

"We are…" I say.

My mom smiles and finishes for me. "We are going to be okay."

We hug. A few tears fall, but smiles fill the room. Eventually, we all sit on the same couch.

"So what's going on with the house?" Mom asks. "How are we handling the debt principal? "

"You see…" I suck on my lip. "I have a boyfriend now… and he's amazing."

"Logan King!" my dad guesses.

"?él es tu novio?"

I nod. "And he's going to help me with the money we need."

They are almost as excited about that as they are about saving the house.

We make plans for how we're going to handle the next few months. They have to go to work soon, but we're too happy to let go yet, and Logan is on his way. He's picking me up on the way to the Thunderdome. We asked for individual meetings with HR to announce our relationship, according to policies.

The doorbell rings. I open the door and jump into Logan's arms. The kiss I give him is fueled with the relief and freedom I feel. He reacts seamlessly, wrapping me tight and keeping me close to him.

"Hello, there," he says before giving me another kiss. "We should always say hello like this."

"Deal, Your Highness."

As soon as we come apart, my parents throw a hundred questions at him. They thank him for helping me and us in one big sweep, and they get us to promise dinner with them soon. I have to remind everyone we're all going to be late for work, before the three of them agree to say goodbye for the day.

Logan is chuckling by the time we're walking to his SUV. "You know what was the best part of all of that? Your barely contained panic."

"They flooded you with comments! And I don't know if you have the fortitude. Do you even know what alfajores are ? They'll forgive you for not knowing Cerati, though. Eventually."

"Excuse me?" He gets on the driver's side.

I close the door behind me on the passenger side. "Do you know when the last time was I introduced them to anyone? Eighteen months before I met you at the bar, when I told them I was dating the one and only boyfriend I've ever had."

"I knew I was a rebound," he said .

"You were not. You were my first one-night-stand. I was very over my ex by the time I found you."

"In any case, I have the fortitude, thank you very much. I'm not scared of your parents."

"Maybe you should be. I'm scared of yours."

He tsks and turns on the engine. "Don't be. I'm the frowniest of the bunch."

"I think that helps. Maybe."

"It's fine. We have all the time in the world to figure it out. For now, let's go to work and announce our relationship to everyone. What do you say? If everything goes according to plan, I will come home tonight with a crown, too."

Logan goes to his HR meeting first, and I catch up with work in my office until it's time for mine. The players will have time off now that they're out of the playoffs for the season, but I don't. Still, I check my accumulated vacation time and dream. For the first time ever, I let myself fantasize of all the things I couldn't afford, when my time and my money were carefully planned to help my parents.

It's easy to plan for great things to come our way when we're happy, and I'm the happiest. Logan and I are together. He got his redemption with a spectacular first year with the team, too. People have continued to praise him, and no one is talking about his dad.

On my end, by late next week, I'll be able to close all pending matters with the bank. My money will be mine to spend and save. It's time to start planning for a couple of weeks lounging on sand, surrounded by sun and sea. I can't wait to talk to Logan about it.

My time has come, and I'll get to share it with someone I'm head over heels for.

I'm still in a far distant land, full of sun and sea, when it's time for my HR meeting. The employee relations manager goes down a list of questions, quickly taking notes for their documentation .

"Did you enter into the relationship with Mr. King willingly?" Justin asks.

"I did."

"Did you ever feel pressured by Mr. King?"

I did, but I liked it.

I rub my lips to keep that in.

"Uhm, no," I say instead.

They lift purple eyes my way. These are contacts, rather than the magical reaction of Logan's irises to the light.

It works for Justin. They wear bold clothing, and their nails are painted black. I'm a little intimidated, but I don't show it.

They repeat the question. "Did you feel pressured at any point by Mister King?"

I smile. "Nope. He's persistent, you know? But it's one of the many things that make him incredible at what he does."

"Okay." Their eyes go back to the list in front of them on the desk. "Do you foresee any issues between the two of you that could make you unable to work, or cause issues to the organization?"

"No. We're good."

And so we go on. I shake Justin's hand on the way out and, with a smile on my face, I make my way to the locker room.

"Please cover the goods!" I yell as I approach. "There's only one of you I'm interested in seeing naked. I don't want to see anyone else's privates by accident!"

I hover around the corner, waiting for the green light from the group. They're not training today, but I don't want to take the risk.

People are laughing and I hear a few jabs directed at Logan that I can't make out. He appears around the corner, rolling his eyes at everyone and ignoring them.

Saint trails behind him. "I'm here as a witness, to make sure he doesn't cheat. You'll see."

Confusion gets worse when Logan ignores him too, and gives me a quick kiss .

He speaks loudly enough for everyone to hear. "If you see my privates, it's never going to be an accident."

People laugh in the locker room. Saint smirks.

I chuckle. "Yeah, I think we'll pretty much always do it on purpose. What's going on?"

Saint shrugs. "Can't tell you yet."

Logan lowers his voice now. "Did everything go well with the meeting?"

"Yes. We're good to go."

He kisses my temple and leads me to the locker room.

The usual suspects hang out in the space, plus several other players. They all wear casual clothes.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"Logan has to ask you a couple of questions," Saint says. "Please answer truthfully."

I gaze from the group, to Saint, to Logan. My insides go still, and I wait for the big reveal.

"Evie," Logan says. "Is it true that you and I are together, and you entered this arrangement willingly?"

I would have laughed, but the question is strange.

"I already talked to HR." Suspicion laces my words. "What's with you guys?"

"Just answer, please," Logan half-growls.

"Yes." I roll my eyes. "I entered it willingly."

"At this point in our lives," Logan continues, "you're forsaking all others for my grumpy face."

He seems irritated and so out of character I'm starting to get worried. The energy in the locker room is mischievous, though, so I play along.

"This is so weird," I say. "Yes. I am 'forsaking all others for your grumpy face.'"

A few people make frustrated sounds. Saint's eyes narrow.

"What's going on?" I ask again .

"Two more questions." Logan holds me by the shoulders. "Will you do me the honors of letting me whisk you away to a surprise vacation, as soon as you get some time off? My treat."

I gasp. "Are you being serious right now? A vacation?"

"Will you do me the honors, Evie?"

"Fuck yes!" I try to hug him, but he makes a gesture to stop me.

"Now the speech!" Someone says.

People are getting excited. My heart still beats fast, too eager for this surprise vacation and this time off coming sooner than expected. All I can do is gaze around, trying to collect clues.

"Make it good, King!" Someone else adds.

"Evelyn Moreno." He steps close to me. "Hear this declaration."

"Oh my god." I snort and cover my mouth.

I finally put the pieces together. This is a bet.

"Ever since I met you, I've known we have chemistry," Logan says. "But as I've gotten to know you, I can't call it any less than alchemy." He takes one step closer, and places both hands around my face. "I planned to go through my life happy with everything I got, content with football and friends. Then you came into my life, and showed me how much more I really wanted. I wasn't looking for gold, yet I found it in you. But I did better than any scientist from olden times, because I got you."

If I was ever tense, his words make it all disappear. I thaw, ice pooling into water at my feet, that he shares his feelings freely for me in front of his team.

Everyone stares at him. I give him a happy, soft smile.

He smirks, like my reaction is all he wanted, and all he needs.

"Fuck, that's a speech," Damián says. "Did you even have to destroy me at pinball, if you were keeping that under your sleeve?"

"Make the heart for an extra hundred points!" Someone screams.

Logan makes a heart with his hands and points it my way. I laugh.

"Aaaand he gets the crown!" Dom exclaims .

Saint groans.

Bear brings the crown the players fight for during the season. He gives it to Logan, who places it on my head.

"Oh, I see who won, then," I laugh some more.

"Thank you," Logan says, before smacking a kiss on me and bending me backwards. I can barely react fast enough to keep the crown on my head.

People laugh and applaud around us. I'm laughing as Logan straightens me. He grins and keeps me close. The sight of his grin still has the same effect— I could melt in his arms.

"He beat Damián in pinball by a landslide, but that only got him to a close second place," Saint explains in my direction. "A few last minute bets were allowed, considering how many people doubted you were actually dating him."

"The Beauty and the Beast Bet for the Best of the Best Betting Board Team Builder." Leon laughs. "Now say that three times fast."

"Now the king has a queen and a crown," Damián says. "Unbelievable first year with the Strike!"

"I couldn't ask for more," Logan says, and he kisses me once more.

I couldn't ask for more myself.