Page 46

His arms unfolded, and his hand hit his desk.

“Goddamn it.” That same hand gripped the side of his face.

“This can’t work. There’s no way I can allow you to be employed with the Whales and date one of the players.

It’s unethical. It disrupts the balance of power.

” He shook his head. “The fucking press would have a field day with that news. Can you imagine? Owner’s daughter and star player of the league.

” He pushed against his temples. “I won’t have it. I can’t.”

“And I’ll tell them we’ve been together for a long time, we’ve just kept things off the radar.

” I held the edge of his desk and leaned in closer.

“You worry it’s going to be a controversy.

But it’s not, Mark. Everyone wants a love story, and we’re giving them one.

But whatever you do, don’t take her away from the team.

We need her.” When he said nothing, I continued, “How are ticket sales compared to last year?” I asked the question because I knew the answer.

“How’s our social media following and engagement?

How’s the hype surrounding this season as we move into our next stint of travel?

” I smiled at my girl. “You know a lot of that has to do with Jolie.”

“I’m not underestimating my daughter and her abilities. She’s exceptional. That’s why she works for me. But I’m trying to consider the logistics of this relationship, and I don’t believe it can work in a professional setting.”

“But it’s already been working, Dad.”

“Working?” He chuckled. “How about working against me? Had you two not been holed up in that Vegas suite, Kirk wouldn’t have gotten himself in a pickle.”

A real fucking pickle all right.

“I can’t go back and fix the mistake I made. All I can tell you is that it won’t happen again.” There was so much emotion in her voice.

“You’re damn right it won’t!”

“You have to admit, before the Kirk incident, things were running so smoothly,” she said.

He ignored her and eyed me. “What happens if you two break up?”

I was still holding his desk, and I released it, sliding back in my chair.

“Forgive me when I say this, but if you and your wife get divorced, she’s half owner of the team—am I right?

” His glare told me I was correct. “What would then happen to the ownership? Would it be yours? Hers?” I raised my hand before he could say anything.

“The point I’m trying to make is that we can’t predict what’s going to happen between us—no one in any relationship can.

But I can tell you that if it were up to me, she’d be moving in with me now. ”

His brows rose extremely high, the grooves in his forehead deepening. “Moving in with you?”

I nodded.

He asked his daughter, “And do you agree?”

“Yes, Dad, I agree.”

“Let me get this straight.” He ran his hand down the back of his hair.

“As a business owner who lives, breathes, sleeps, eats, and dies by his company, you’re telling me, Beck, that I should just sit back and assume all is going to be good with you two?

And if shit hits the fan, I’m supposed to just deal with it then? ”

I put my hand on Jolie’s shoulder. I needed the contact, and I assumed she did too. “We’re mature adults. We know what’s at stake. If things were to end, we would handle it cordially.”

Her nod told me she agreed.

“But whether I’m with your daughter or not, I want her to have a place within this team.”

His head dropped. “I don’t know …” He let out a loud breath. “I just don’t know.”

“I can handle this, Dad. I need you to trust me.”

As her vulnerability hit me, I squeezed the spot I was holding.

She was showing; she wasn’t just telling.

All that did was make me love her more.

He lifted his face to say, “You’re saying that, regardless of what happens with you and Beck, you will conduct yourself professionally at all times.”

“Of course,” she replied.

“And the two of you understand what’s at risk here—it’s one thing to say you do, it’s another to actually calculate that risk and look it square in the face.

” He pushed his chair several inches away from his desk and crossed his legs.

“Remember, the second the media speculates that something is amiss between you two, we’re going to have another Vegas situation on our hands, and I will not tolerate that. ”

“Mark, I’ve been in the mainstream media for a long time. It started in college, and it’s been that way my entire career. I know how it works. I’m no rookie when it comes to the press or paparazzi.”

“But my daughter is.” He focused on her. “Will you be able to handle the spotlight?”

“For Beck”—she gazed at me—“I’m willing to do anything.”

Mark rocked in his chair. “I’m not promising either of you anything.

But I’m willing to see how things go on a trial basis.

” He waved his finger in the air. “I hope I don’t regret this decision.

” He took a deep breath. “The second I feel like things aren’t working the way I want them to, I’m pulling the plug, and Jolene is getting reassigned to a different account. ”

She moved to the end of her chair. “Dad, I’ve worked so hard to get this job.

But I can’t be the best version of me if I’m constantly walking on eggshells, knowing at any moment, you can take it all away from me.

” She tucked her hair behind her ear, even though it didn’t stay.

“I’ve already taken full responsibility for Vegas.

I told you that on the phone when we spoke.

I told you that again today before Beck even walked into your office.

But the thing is, I’m going to make more mistakes.

I’m going to screw up again. I’m human, I’m not perfect.

Sometimes, real moments happen in life, and they’re out of my control.

” She was keeping her emotion down, but I could see it; I could feel it.

“Just because I have imperfections and I don’t do everything the way you want me to doesn’t mean I deserve to lose everything. ”

Fuck.

I was so proud of her.

This was the first time I saw a break in Mark’s face. It wasn’t a smile, but it wasn’t the frown he’d been sporting since I had walked in.

“You have a point … and I can’t disagree with it.”

“What are you saying?” she inquired.

He licked his lips and wiped them with his hand. “You conduct yourself with professionalism, and you continue doing what you’ve been doing, and I think things will be okay—assuming you keep your phone on you at all times.” He cleared his throat. “However, I reserve the right to change my mind.”

“Fair enough,” she said softly.

Smiling for my girl, I asked, “Does that mean we have your blessing?”

“My what?”

I held the top of my hat and said, “I never wanted you to find out this way. I wanted to be the one to tell you. And I realize things have already moved forward, and we went about this in an untraditional way, but I would still like to have your blessing to be with your daughter.” I glanced at Jolie.

“For one, because it means you trust me with her. And two”—I shifted my gaze at him—“because you’re my boss. ”

His head slowly shook for the second time during this chat. “This isn’t easy for me, Beck.”

“One day, I’m going to have a daughter—I hope—and I’m going to be in the same position. Well, maybe not the exact same, but you know what I mean.”

“I do.”

“You have my word, I will not hurt her, and I wouldn’t be sitting here, saying any of this, if I didn’t see my future with her.” I reached for Jolie’s hand.

He pointed at me. “If that future involves a ring, your ass had better be right back in this chair, asking for a whole different type of blessing.”

I smiled. “Understood.”

“Good.” He tapped his desk. “Now that you both have gotten what you want today, you can let yourselves out. I need to get some work done.” His tone was gentle even if his words weren’t.

I waited for Jolie to get up first, and I followed her into the hallway, shutting her father’s door behind me. I immediately pulled her into my arms, holding her against me. My mouth pressed into her hair, and I breathed her in. “I’m so fucking happy that’s behind us.”

“You have no idea,” she sighed. “I cannot believe you came into Dad’s office. That you had my back like that. That you tried to take the blame.” She looked up at me. “You were there for me in ways I hadn’t expected.”

“I will always have your back in every way.”

I finally got a smile out of her. “You told my father you’re in love with me.”

“So did you.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck. “Say it to me.”

“I love you, Jolie.” I grinned, stabbing my bottom lip with my teeth. “And that’s just what I’m going to tell the guys today at practice—before threatening their lives if they ever utter another word about you.”

Her eyes went wide. “You’re telling them today?”

I chuckled. “That’s not the important part.”

“What is?”

“You saying you love me back.”

She slid her fingers through my hair. “I’m completely, fully, and wildly in love with you.”

“Sit down,” I said to the team once everyone finally returned to the locker room after practice.

“ Ohhh , the captain has something to say. Listen up, you guys!” Kirk shouted. When the room turned silent, he added, “Whatcha got for us?”

I tossed my gloves and crossed my sweaty arms over my chest. “There will be no more comments from any of you about Jolene Jameson. Not even a fucking hint of a comment. That also includes looking at her for longer than a few seconds. Smiling too fucking large at her. Or getting close enough to her that you get even the faintest hint of her perfume.” I paused. “Have I made myself clear?”

“Someone’s in love.” One of the guys snickered.

I didn’t correct him.

Because he was right.

And everyone in this room knew it.

“It’s been almost three years in the making, and she’s finally mine.” When each of the guys nodded, my arms dropped. “I’m glad you all understand.”