Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“Good call,” he murmured with a nod.
“Thanks again for being so cool about me flying back on my own.” I’d been worried that I wouldn’t be able to see my family for more than maybe an hour tops until I asked him if it was okay for me not to take the team plane back to New York.
Percy waived off my gratitude. “It wasn’t a big deal.”
“Okay then, thanks for getting the team to cover my ticket,” I replied, my smile widening. “They totally didn’t have to do that when it was my choice to push back my departure.”
“You’re a student attending college in one of the most expensive cities in the world, and Lennox Madison is a billionaire. He can more than afford it.” He shook his head with a snort. “Plus, we got you for a steal, considering the kind of analysis you can do when you’re only earning intern wages.”
“I guess I can’t argue when you put it like that.”
Although my classes wouldn’t start for another week, I’d expected to be super busy downloading programming packages, reading through syllabi, and getting my textbooks. But since I only had to familiarize myself with one new program, it hadn’t taken as long as I expected to get prepped for my next semester, which left me with some free time in my schedule.
Unfortunately, it was when Gage was busy with stuff for the team. So I spent the past several days running data visualization on the offensive line. Starting with the running backs, of course. Not that my boss understood why I’d narrowed in on that particular position. Although judging how Cole looked at me when we showed him the models, I felt he suspected something was going on between Gage and me.
I appreciated that he didn’t share his thoughts with my boss. During my interview, Percy had mentioned how complicated Rhodes Channing’s relationship was with his wife since she was the owner’s niece. I figured it was safe to assume he wouldn’t approve of someone in the front office—especially who reported to him—dating a player.
Percy jerked his chin toward the door. “If you leave now, you won’t have to wait quite as long for a rideshare. Then you’ll get a little extra time with your family.”
“Thanks.”
I headed out of the press box, but I didn’t leave the stadium right away like he expected. First, I wanted to congratulate Gage on his win and see if I could at least say a quick goodbye before I left. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I tapped out a text to him.
Me:
Hey, my boss let me go a little early. Let me know when you’re done in the locker room so I can see you before I head over to my parents.
Players weren’t allowed to have electronic devices on the sideline during a game, so I figured I’d have to wait a bit to hear back from him. But he must’ve been one of the first guys back through the tunnel because my phone dinged with a notification from him only a few minutes later.
Gage:
I’ll meet you at the players’ exit. Security will let you through. Don’t leave without me.
My brows drew together as I wondered what exactly he meant by that.
Me:
Are you sure? That’s a lot of bother for a quick visit.
Gage:
You’re never a bother.
If he thought that racing from the stadium over to my parents’ house to meet them, chat for a few minutes, only to turn back around to head to the airport to catch the plane back with the team was what he wanted to do, I wasn’t going to argue with him. Not even knowing that my brothers would give me a hard time over it. And him an even worse one.
Luckily, he wouldn’t be there long enough for Russell and Ridley to cause too much trouble. Or at least that was what I told myself while I waited for Gage.
He must’ve rushed to get ready because he appeared in only about ten minutes, which was much faster than I expected. His hair was still damp, but that didn’t stop me from teasing him. “Did you skip the shower? Should we take different cars to my parents’ house so I don’t have to deal with the post-game stench? Even though you only played for about a quarter in total?”
“Are you really gonna give me a hard time when you damn well know that’s how much starters play at this point in the preseason?” he asked, shaking his head with a deep laugh.
Smiling at him, I nodded. “Yup.”
“Then be prepared to see for yourself how badly I smell.” Sliding his hand behind my back, he pulled me close. As I pressed my palms against his chest, he twined his other hand in my hair to tug my head back. Then he captured my mouth in a deep kiss that left me breathless when he finally lifted his head again. “Not too bad, eh?”