“We have a press conference booked before the game tomorrow night. It’ll be you and me fielding questions about your captaincy and what we expect to see from the team this season, so be prepared for questions.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And Shay, try to have a personality while you do it. Yes, we’re going to talk basketball, but you’re the face of this team now and they want to know about the real Ryan Shay.”
“What kind of questions should I expect?”
“I don’t know. Things about your family. How much you enjoy your city. How you feel about your promotion. How I feel about your promotion.”
Time freezes with the unspoken innuendo in his voice.
Fuck it, the moment is here. May as well ask.
“How do you feel about my promotion, sir?”
He exhales a deep, resigned sigh. “I’m sure you know how I feel about your promotion.”
I shake my head. “What did I do to make you dislike me so much? Is this all because I didn’t want to continue seeing your niece? It truly had nothing to do with her—”
“No. God no. How petty do you think I am? I don’t dislike you, Shay, but I also don’t think you’re cut out to lead this team. Being the captain is about more than being the most talented on the court. It’s about family, camaraderie. You’re a lone wolf, which is fine, but that’s not the type of leadership I’m looking for in my organization. I wasn’t upset that you didn’t want to continue seeing my niece. She’s a handful, even for me, but I know firsthand the effects a woman can have on a man. I was hoping maybe you’d meet someone along the way, and you’d change. That you’d be ready for this role when the time came. Take Ethan for example. The guy is a hell of a shooter, but his real talent is being approachable to his guys, and I know a lot of that came when he met Annie. I don’t think you’re ready for this, Shay.”
Well, shit. Tell me how you really feel.
As if he didn’t just make me feel two feet tall, he smiles and waves as Ethan leaves the gym.
Honestly, fuck this. I work harder than any other guy on this team. I’m better than any other guy on this team, but Ron has an issue with me because I don’t have a girlfriend? Or that I’m not soft enough because I don’t have a woman in my life.
The smallest part of me wants a trade. If that’s how he really feels about me, then trade me. Then there’s the reminder that Stevie lives here now and she’s not going anywhere since Zanders signed a seven-year deal with the Raptors, so I need to make this work. I need to make this right.
“Actually, sir. I did meet someone.”
What the actual fuck just came out of my mouth?
Ron laughs. “What?”
Instead of responding because I can’t find it in me to repeat the lie, I quickly nod.
“Shay, you’ve played for me for four years. I think I’d know if you were seeing someone.”
“It’s new.”
“Well, is it serious?”
Is it serious? It’s seriously delusional just like me because I’m a fucking idiot thinking I could pull this lie off.
“Mm-hmm. Yep.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting her,” he continues, eyes narrowed. “Next week. At the fall banquet. Where your attendance is mandatory, and you’ll bring your girlfriend. I know Caroline will want to meet her too.”
I’m fucked. Utterly and completely fucked. How was having a fake girlfriend my solution to this? Why couldn’t I have just offered to work on my leadership and that be it?
I can’t even use the excuse of taking my sister instead of my nonexistent girlfriend because the fall banquet is a fundraiser hosted by the four major sports teams in Chicago where Stevie will be in attendance with Zanders.
A flash of blonde hair and lavender fabric catches my attention as Indy stands where I left her, lightly swaying her hips and bobbing her head as she scrolls on her phone.
My face screws up with regret. This is a terrible idea, but fuck it, I’m in it already. “Or you could meet her right now?” I motion to Indy as she entertains herself, completely oblivious to the colossal lie I’m creating about her.
“That’s her? Well, introduce me, Shay.”
I clear my throat. “Indy,” I call out, waving her over. “Will you come here for a second?”
She heads towards us with a bit of a skip in her step and I hope she can see the apology in my forced smile.
“Indy, this is the General Manager of the Devils, Ron Morgan.”
“Nice to meet you,” she says with a bright beaming smile because of course she has no problem meeting strangers.
I place my hand on her lower back. It’s the first time I’ve really touched her, and she instantly stiffens from the contact. “Mr. Morgan, this is Indy…my girlfriend.”
My roommate’s smile instantly drops.
“So wonderful to meet the woman who finally caught the attention of our Ryan Shay.” He studies her and though Indy might not be able to tell through his tone, I know he’s trying to figure this out. He’s trying to catch me.
Please go with it, Blue, I beg through my eyes.
She stays silent in shock.
“I’m sure she’s happy to meet you too,” I quickly interrupt the stretched silence. “But she’s heading out right now.” Using my hand on her lower back, I turn her towards the exit.
“Oh, already?” Ron asks. “What a shame.”
“Yep. She’s got to go.” I push against Indy’s back, needing her to get a pep in her step and get the fuck out of here.
“Not so fast, honey bun.” She snaps out of her trance, stopping me as she wraps both arms around my waist. “How am I supposed to be without you for two days? We’ve never been apart, cupcake. I’m going to miss you so much.”
She nuzzles her head on my un-iced shoulder, looking up at me with a wink.
I’m going to kill her.
“Well, aren’t you two the sweetest,” Ron laughs.
“Oh, it’s all him. Sweetest man I’ve ever met. And emotional! Did you know he was so emotional?”
“I had no idea. Shay is always so composed around here.”
“Oh, he’s emotional all right! Huge crier too. He sobbed the first time we made lo—”
I slap a palm over her mouth. “We’ve got to go. See you on the plane, Mr. Morgan.”
I don’t let go of Indy as I turn us around and march towards the exit.
“I look forward to seeing you again at the fall banquet next week, Indy!”
Indy waves at Ron over her shoulder like a woman gone mad, but she can’t respond because I refuse to uncover her mouth until we are away from my colleagues.
“What the hell are you doing?” I snap once we’re alone in the empty hall outside of the gym. “And what the fuck is with the food nicknames?”
“What am I doing? What the hell are you doing? Your girlfriend?”
“Fuck,” I exhale, pacing the small hallway. “I panicked.”
“Well, go un-panic and correct him.”
“I can’t.”
“You can’t?” She laughs condescendingly. “What do you mean you can’t?”