Luke
As soon asI got home last night, I texted both Mike and Tony, letting them know my thoughts on including Danika at our meeting, since this concerned her, too. They agree and expect her in our meeting this morning. I can tell Dani’s nervous, so I try to distract her and keep us in our bubble for as long as we can.
Needing to stick to my usual routine, Dani and I are up and out the door a little after six. Harlow greets us as we approach my office. “Morning, Luke. Danika, it’s a pleasure to see you today.”
“I wish it were under different circumstances,” Dani admits, though she says it with strength and determination.
Harlow nervously laughs. “I can see that. But things have a way of working out. I’m sure the two of you will get through this just fine.” Then Harlow pats Dani on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, dear. Your secret’s safe with me. By the way, I’m a huge fan of your work. I had no idea you were Charlotte Ann.”
“Thank you, Harlow. That’s kind of you to say.” Dani’s shoulders relax a bit, and I loosen up as well.
Harlow always knows just what to say. She turns her attention to me and winks before saying, “Luke, you have a talented lady here. Treat her right.” I shake my head.
“Thanks, Harlow, you know I will. You should’ve seen her in action this weekend with her fans,” I state honestly. “This woman’s a force to be reckoned with. She makes our hour-long meet and greets look like child’s play. She was at it for hours on end and never broke a sweat.”
“From what I saw on television, you have yourself quite the fan base as well, Luke.” Instantly, I feel my ears heat and roll my eyes in disagreement.
But Dani adds her two cents before I can brush it off, “Maybe if he wasn’t such a hot commodity, we wouldn’t be in this mess.” I can tell from the tone of her voice she’s teasing, but with the instant nodding of Harlow’s head, I see she might have a point.
“Luke’s a talented coach, but let’s face it, he’s easy on the eyes. The women at that book conference were bound to notice him.” Harlow then looks to me. “No offense.”
“How the hell am I supposed to take that?” I ask honestly. Seriously?
Harlow swats her hand in the air dismissively. “Oh, Luke,” she states just like my mama would say,Bless Your Heart. I don’t miss the tone. I’m not being a dumbass. I seriously don’t know what I did that caused such a shitstorm in the media. I was just being helpful. Sure, I could have kept my shirt down, but it was the only way I could prove I wasn’t the cover model. I look nothing like that guy.Obviously.
“Luke,” Dani catches my attention, “she didn’t mean to offend you. But no one’s blind in this room.”Like that’s supposed to help the situation.
I drop the subject and to Harlow, I ask, “Did Mike or Tanya happen to mention where our meeting is this morning? I haven’t checked my email yet and want to make sure we’re on time.”
“They’ll be in Mike’s office at seven thirty,” she states, getting the point I want to drop the subject.
“Thanks. I’m going to get things set up for the coaches meeting and delegate some things I wanted to cover with the offensive line, since I’m unable to attend the meeting this morning.”
I walk toward my office, and Dani follows. “Mind if I set up shop at your conference table?”
“Not at all. Make yourself at home. Sorry, but I have to get a few things done before the coaches meeting that starts in twenty minutes,” I offer as I start up my laptop and pull up the list of things I’d created last night before going to bed, while Dani got some words in.
“No problem. You don’t need to entertain me, Luke. I know you have a job to do.” She pulls out a notebook and her laptop. Sets some pens on the table and settles in to get to work, while I do the same.
I focus my attention on adding some things to my list and making sure there’s enough details in my instructions so the other coaches can easily lead the meeting I’m missing. After I finish that, I shoot off a few emails and respond to the giant pile stacked in my inbox.
Soon there’s a knock at my open door, and I glance up to see Tyrell Yates, our defensive coordinator entering the room. He greets me with, “Hey, Casanova. I hear you’re moonlighting as a model these days.”
“You can’t always believe what you see on TV,” I deadpan.
“So… You’re not dating the sexy romance novelist?”
I glance at Dani who covers her mouth, doing her best not to laugh at the ridiculousness of Tyrell. He’s been a good friend for years, but he’s been known to have a one-track mind and doesn’t pay attention to my glance at the conference table.
Tyrell walks to my desk, his back now completely to Dani. “So, what’s the deal, Romeo? Are you dating this girl or not?” He runs a palm over his chin and looks to the ceiling, as if he’s suddenly in deep thought. Whatever it is he’s thinking, he’s concentrating harder than necessary. Completely entertained by this, I remain silent.
Tyrell mistakes my silence for a denial and looks me square in the eyes. “Okay, hotshot. Tell me this. If you’renotdating her, can you help me get her number?” His eyes waggle, baiting me for a response.
And I don’t disappoint. I bolt out of my chair and stand to lean over my desk. The thought of Dani dating anyone but me makes my blood boil. “Uh… that would be a hard no.”
A mischievous grin forms on his face, and he taps his chin, pretending to think. “Is that a hard no, as in you’re not dating her, or a no as in you’re not helping me get her number?”
The jackass has the audacity to look innocent, but the twinkle in his eye tells me something more. I lean forward and practically grit out a response through clenched teeth, “That would be a no, as in you’re not going to date her. Ever.”
