Page 8

Chapter 7

Brooks

“Get the hell over here and grab your game ball, Brooks!” Coach yells and the locker room goes wild. It has the vibe of a playoff game and not a regular season win. I know in my heart and soul that I’m lucky to play for a team like this; one that supported me throughout my entire recovery and let me decide when I was ready to return to the court.

I stand and someone starts spraying champagne—that has Jalen written all over it—and Coach yells, “Jesus Christ! Careful with those corks,” with his hands up before continuing. “This guy has busted his ass to get back to the court for this team, these fans, and this franchise. The Jersey Jags are out for blood this year, and with Brooks back, we might be able to pull it off!”

The sound is deafening in the best way. My teammates jump around me; you could almost reach out and grab the joy filling this room. I hold onto the ball tighter than necessary, already thinking about how this will go somewhere special in my house—the one I just bought. A suggestion from my therapist to move on from the place where my depression was the worst, the recovery the most difficult, was something I couldn’t say yes to quick enough.

I look down at my knee, the tape the same as it was when I had it done before the game. I’m so damn thankful for being able to play almost my typical game minute total. Some teams wouldn’t rely on an athlete playing in his first game back when it’s down to the wire, but I love that my coaches and teammates trusted me to do what I’m built to .

Put us in the best position to win.

Tonight is one of those nights I’ll remember for a long time.

I’m showered and my muscles are tired in the way I welcome after a close game. I know the Jags’ media team has come in when I hear Megan congratulating the guys. This means press conferences and interviews are about to start.

My locker is tidy and clean, like always, with the game ball sitting at the bottom until I take it home tonight. I’m making sure everything is in order when I hear Megan behind me.

“Brooks! Couldn’t envision a better comeback game.” She claps me on the back and a smile pulls hard at the corner of my lips. Megan has been here for the last three years, and I respect how she handles social media for the team. We’re never forced to do much of anything, which has us volunteering for more projects she has up her sleeve. She’s a blast to work with and knows her shit when it comes to basketball.

I turn to face her but see Lia instead. Well, Lia and Megan together. What the hell?

“Brooks, I’d like you to meet Lia Stone. She’s our newest hire and will be taking the lead on the project we talked about.”

I do my best to keep my expression level as my brain tries to compute what this means. Lia’s brows furrow and she looks to Megan for clarification.

“A significant focus this season will be Brooks’ return to the game after a severe ACL injury,” she explains to Lia. “There’s a ton of science and technology which has made the recovery shorter than most and we’re hopeful Brooks will show us that in a real-life example… like he did tonight.” Megan’s voice radiates enthusiasm. “I’m sure a basketball fan like yourself is dying for the chance to spend some time with the one and only Brooks Pittman.” A smirk plays on her lips as she looks between the two of us.

“I bet she is.” The words fall out of my mouth, quiet, and the right side of my lips tug in a devilish smirk—one I didn’t plan for.

Megan leans in, putting her ear closer to me. “What was that?”

I reach out a hand to Lia. “Nothing, just welcoming Lia to the team.” She puts her hands in mine and an electric current zaps from my palm and then throughout my entire body.

Lia’s cheeks flush pink and the way she looks at me turns my mouth dry.

“I’m looking forward to working together,” she offers, enunciating every letter of the word ‘working’ with a small lean forward. She smiles and gives me a barely-there head shake and I feel like she’s thinking the same thing.

Fuck. I think I’m in trouble.

Someone calls for Megan and she gives them the one-minute gesture before looking at the two of us. “You’re going to be spending lots of time together over the next few months. Make sure to get to know each other. Also, Brooks, if Zack wouldn’t mind, we’d love a photo of you guys.”

“You know Zack loves a photo opp,” I reply while she’s already on her way to someone else.

It’s just Lia and I by my locker. I do a quick scan of the room to see if there’s anyone I could introduce her to, but the entire team is otherwise occupied with coaching staff and the press is starting to pop in.

“Since when do you work for the Jags?” I ask, my words quick and quieter than I typically am .

“Since today. It happened fast.” She grins, and her emerald eyes are fucking mesmerizing. I would probably fall into a forest if I stared long enough.

“You didn’t mention it…” My voice trails.

Lia smiles, looking around the locker room before her eyes fall to mine. “No, I didn’t bring up the job I lost out on months ago.”

Wow. Talk about a coincidence or power of the universe or whatever the hell is playing out here. Whoever is pulling the strings is doing one hell of a job.

She tilts her head and says, “You were great today. How’d it feel?” She glances down at my knee.

“Fucking terrifying.” I laugh it off. “But I feel good. Hell of a win.” I run my hands through my hair, pushing it away from my forehead. “And you don’t have to suck up… we’re, like, colleagues now.”

Lia gives me a knowing glance.

I lean in closer, just enough that I can say something quietly, only for the two of us. “When can I take you out again?”

She laughs and watches me as she rubs her fingers together. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea now that we’re colleagues.” She bumps my shoulder with hers.

“You’re right. It’s not good.” I pause, taking in all of her. “It’s a great idea.” I clap my hands together.

“I’d imagine it’s against the rules, and here’s what I know about you… you’re not one to break them.” She lifts an eyebrow, and a side-eye stare lands on me.

“What you know about me, huh? Can’t wait for you to learn even more.” My phone buzzes in my pocket—Zack. Probably looking for me. “Hey, I’ve got to get out there, but I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”

Lia thinks she has me all figured out.

It’d be a damn shame if she was wrong.