“Well he or she, I don’t know who it is, but they keep writing about me.”
I lean forward and clasp my hands together. “They’re allowed. You’re a public figure, playing a public game and its freedom of speech. I’ve seen the blog; there’s nothing derogatory being posted.”
“Boss, they post about when I pick my nose. Not about my stats or anything like that.”
I stifle a laugh. “So, stop picking your nose, Ethan.”
He rolls his eyes and fidgets with the arm rests. “I can’t… I mean I can, but my hands have to be doing something while I’m waiting for the ball.”
When we acquired Ethan, I had him tested for a tic disorder, nerve damage, anything the doctors could think of and everything came back normal. This kid can’t sit still, no matter how hard he tries.
“Listen, you’ve done a great job keeping your head in the game. So what if this person blogs about your on-field antics. My suggestion is to stop reading the blog and stop looking up your name online because if it’s not this blog, it’s going to be the next one that has something to say. Read ESPN. They’re accurate and have all your stats updated.”
“Am I interrupting?”
My head springs at the sound of Hadley’s voice. Against my will, a smile spreads across my face when we lock eyes. Ethan turns in his seat and mutters, “whoa.” I want to throw my pen at him, but resist.
“Come on in, we’re just about finished.”
Ethan turns back around and leans forward. “Boss, that’s Hadley Carter!” he all but screams when he says her name.
“I know who she is, Ethan.”
“But how…?” he begs for an answer.
Hadley sits down next to him and his leg stops bouncing. He stares at her, much like the women stare at him. I’m staring too though because she’s rocking a pair of cut-off shorts and a tank-top. Her long blond hair is pulled up into a high ponytail and her sunglasses are sitting on top of her head. Her skin is sun-kissed and looking so much better than it was the other day when we were together. If I didn’t already have carnal knowledge of her body, I’d be on my hands and knees begging for her to give me an ounce of attention. I pull myself a little closer to my desk to hide the issue developing in my slacks. One thing’s for sure, Hadley knows how to push my buttons… all of my buttons.
Clearing my throat, more so to break my reverie so I can concentrate, I look at Ethan, who is still eyeing Hadley with a shit-eating grin on his face. “Hadley and I…” I stop because I’m not sure how to explain us without it coming out wrong.
“We were engaged once,” she blurts out.
Ethan’s head slowly turns and looks at me. I’m a statue, afraid of showing any emotion or confirmation. He shakes his head. “Man, boss, you’re one lucky bastard.” He gets up and leaves, shutting my door behind him.
“Well, that was interesting.”
Hadley starts laughing, which warms my cold interior. I’ve missed her and I don’t know why I keep fighting it. Life is supposed to be about following your dreams, taking risks and getting lost in love. I have my dream job. Hadley is definitely a risk. Getting lost in love with her is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.
“Come here,” I say as I beckon her with my finger. She stands and walks over to me. I push my chair back and place my hands on her hips. I guide her to stand in between my legs and let my hands caress the back of her thighs. “You’re dangerous for me, Hadley, but I can’t stay away. I tried. I thought if I ignored you, you’d go away, and I could just push away these feelings, act like they don’t exist, but I can’t. With that said, it scares me that after a few months, I was able to move on, or try to move on. I don’t want to feel like that.”
“I don’t either.” Her fingers push through my hair, a feeling that I’ve missed.
“Will you move to Boston?”
She nods. “Yes, I will.”
“Will you be my girlfriend? Can we date, be together and see where things lead us? I don’t want to rush into anything.”
“I’d really like that, Ryan.”
I stand quickly and pull her to my lips. The sensation coursing through me is new, almost as if we’ve never kissed before. I have an uncontrolled storm rolling through my body right now, and she’s the umbrella that’s going to keep me dry.
When I pull away, I rest my forehead against hers. She’s breathing heavily, while I’m barely hanging on.
“Sorry, I just had to know,” I whisper against her lips, unable to keep my lips off of her.
“Know what?”
“If you’re still the one for me.” My words linger in air as my smile grows wide, assuring her that yes, she is the one. The only one for me.