My teeth grind as jealousy drips through my veins.
“I’ll see you guys back downstairs,” I mutter before shoving my chair back and marching toward the exit.
40
CASEY
“Idid it. I got the job,” I whisper excitedly to Dad, aware that I’ve just totally interrupted his conversation with Eddie Phillips, the team doctor.
Dropping whatever they were discussing, Dad turns to me with a wide smile on his face.
“Of course you did, Care Bear. I didn’t doubt it for a second.”
Internally, I squeal in excitement.
I thought I was going to throw up when the number came up on my cell. I was already enough of a mess after a fitful night’s sleep full of dirty thoughts about a certain player.
Emotionally, I’m beyond fragile right now. If they turned me down, I’m pretty sure I’d have spent the day sobbing in the bathroom.
I should have just messaged him. An answer about where his head is would have been easier than all the what-ifs.
Doesn’t mean I did, though.
Where’s the woman from the masquerade ball? The woman who took the bull by the horns and went after what she wanted?
She’s hiding scared, that’s where she is.
She had a taste of what she wanted, and now she’s afraid to put her head above the parapet in case it gets shot off.
What am I talking about? Of course it’s going to get shot off.
That night, allI wanted was a few hours.
Now?
I want everything.
Damn him.
Kodie Rivers has always had the power to turn me into a crazy woman.
Well, here she is.
“I’m so proud of you,” Dad says, releasing me from his embrace, but I’m only half paying attention. Movement on the other side of the restaurant catches my eye, and I glance over to find Kodie storming toward the exit. His shoulders are slumped, his head down. He looks defeated.
My heart slams against my ribs, my previous excitement draining out of me.
Every single one of my instincts screams for me to chase after him.
But I can’t.
And now, it’s not just because he’s one of my father’s players, but I’m one of his daughter’s coaches. Everything has just got even more complicated.
“Thanks, Dad,” I muse, turning my attention back to him. “I’m so sorry, I totally interrupted.”
“It’s okay,” he assures me. “Dinner tonight to celebrate?”
“Sounds great. Let me know when you’ll be finished,” I say, stretching up on my toes to kiss his cheek before spinning around and marching in the direction Kodie disappeared in.
