The weirdest part was how natural it all felt. How right. Like Cody and I had been together for months rather than just a few short weeks. The guarded, grumpy asshole I’d met on my first day had let me past his walls, showing me a softer, deeper side, and I felt close to him in a way I never had with anyone before.
My phone buzzed on the coffee table, pulling me out of my thoughts, and I glanced down to see Rory’s name flashing up on my screen.
“Sorry,” I said to Cody, straightening up as I reached for my phone. “I’m gonna have to take this. It’s my agent.” I’d been putting off his calls for a few days, not ready for reality to intrude on my time in Canada with Cody. But I knew I couldn’t put him off forever.
“Jude! Finally.” Rory’s face appeared on the screen when I hit the button to accept the video call, his expression a mixture of relief and exasperation. “I was starting to think you’d been eaten by a bear.”
I laughed. “There are no bears in Calgary.” Glancing over at Cody, I paused, suddenly uncertain.Are there?I mouthed. He just smirked at me, the bastard.
Note to self—Google whether bears live in Calgary.
My full attention turned back to Rory when he said, “I’ve got some news that I think you’re going to want to hear. But before we get to that, how’s the hamstring?”
“Fine. All better. What news?”
I watched as my agent leaned forwards in his office chair, his excitement contagious even through the screen. “You know the transfer window is the busiest time of the year for agents.”
“Yeah…”
“I’ve been negotiating a lot of offers.”
“Yeah…”
“I have one for you.”
My heart stopped. “What? You do? Who?” This was it. I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans. The likelihood of me getting to stay in the Premier League…
His eyes met mine as he paused dramatically. “It’s an offer…from Glevum FC.”
What. The fuck.Glevum FC. The team who, although small in facilities and fan numbers compared to some of the other clubs in the Premier League, had managed to finish eighth in the league last season—and sixth the year before, when they’d also qualified for a place in the Europa League.
“What kind of offer?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“A three-million-pound salary kind of offer.” Rory smirked at the shock that I knew was written all over my face. I’d been trying to prepare myself to sign for a team in the league below, and yet?—
“Is this real? You’re not fucking with me?”
My agent sighed heavily. “Yes. It’s real. Why do none of my clients believe me when I tell them these things?” He threw up his hands. “It’s a five-year contract. Three million a year, plus bonuses. We can talk about endorsement deals, too, if that’s something you’re interested in. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, Jude.”
He said it was real, but to me, it seemed completelyunreal. Glevum wantedme, and they wanted to pay me that much? Even after I’d cut my season short with a hamstring injury?
“That’s…” I was so blindsided I couldn’t even find the words. “I honestly don’t know what to say.”
“Say ‘You’re the best agent, Rory.’” He grinned at me before switching to what I liked to call his “professional mode.” “The terms are standard, nothing to worry about there. I’ve already had legal take a look at them, and I don’t envision any obstacles. The contract is dependent on a medical as per usual, and they’re prepared to sort that out while you’re in Calgary, depending onhow much longer you’re planning to stay there.” He paused, and I bit down on my lip, feeling Cody’s gaze on me.
“Uh…”
“Give me a date by the end of the week. If you pass the medical, which I’m sure you will, they want you back in the country by the end of June to get everything ready before pre-season begins. They might want you there sooner. Regardless, I can look into accommodation options and sort out the logistics of getting your flat packed up if you need me to.”
Fuck. I was gonna have to pack up my whole life—not that I had much of value or even any attachment to my London rental flat—and start over in a new place.
Excitement fizzed through my veins, banishing the apprehension.Glevum FC. I’d never imagined this, not in my wildest dreams.
Next to me, Cody’s hand landed on my thigh, out of sight of Rory. He squeezed gently, and all at once, my excitement melted away.End of June. That was less than a month away. We had so little time left together.
Placing my hand over his, I pressed down lightly. Rory was looking at me expectantly, and I made a snap decision. Fuck it. Glevum deserved to know what they were getting if they signed me.
“Yeah. I’ll let you know about dates. Uh, Rory…before we get into all the logistics, I need to tell you something. Something important that might be relevant to my contract.”
