Three

Allison

“Okay, everyone look over here,” the photographer says, standing on a ladder and taking a picture of the team for the season. Everyone is in uniform, with the captain, which is Matthew, the two assistants, which are Phil and Max, and then the coaches and goalies sitting front and center. I watch them all smile and my eyes drift straight to the one I shouldn’t think twice of. He’s the biggest jerkface I have ever met, and let’s not forget about his shady play when Matthew was arrested. Nope, he is the last thing I need to focus on.

I walk back into the locker room, grabbing the envelopes I prepared to give to the players, even though I emailed all of them. Some are old school and like paper. I place them in each person’s mailbox slot. Everyone has at least some paper in it, but Max’s is the only one empty with nothing lingering. When I hear the herd coming back to the locker room, I wait in the shadows as they all take their designated seat.

“Okay, before we continue, we have a couple of things to address,” Doug says to everyone. “Mindy will no longer be traveling with the team.”

Some whisper, some in shock, while others just start peeling their tapes off.

“She’ll be in charge at the home office, but you should all meet your new girl. Allison,” he says my name and looks around for me.

I step out of the corner and wave my hand at everyone. Some whistle at me while Matthew glares at them.

“Hi, guys, as Doug just said, I’m Allison. I sent you an email with all my contact information. Now I don’t know how many of you got them, but I also put a hard copy in your mailboxes. If there is anything you need, you must let me know.” I look around the room while they almost hang on to my every move, except Max, who is peeling his jersey off, showing me and everyone what is underneath. He’s a work of fucking art. His muscles are so defined you can trace them in the dark with your fingers and know exactly where you are. His chest has no hair on it, but his arms are tatted full sleeves. I try not to focus on it by looking at anything else but that, but my eyes have a mind of their own and swing back to him.

“I’ll also be traveling with you guys, so I need to know if you have any preferences for the hotels we stay at. I know some of you share a room, so if you can please discuss things with each other before coming to me.” I smile at the guys. “It’s not my job to decide who gets the bed by the window. Any questions for me?”

Phil raises his hand.

“Yes?”

“Just so that no one fights over you, are you single and will Matthew be your bodyguard?”

I laugh at him as Matthew shoves him hard to the side.

“Not available.” I nod at them. “So if you guys have anything to discuss, I’ll be in my office.”

I walk out of the room and head down the hallway, past the gym, to my small office with no window. My office is bleak to say the least as it’s the second time I’ve been in here. The walls are stark white, and the brown desk holds my laptop. Tomorrow I’m going to bring in a plant, some pictures, and dress this room up. I’m opening my laptop to make sure I have the travel schedule downloaded so I can make everyone’s travel itinerary.

“Knock, knock, knock.” Matthew is leaning against the doorjamb.

“Mr. Grant.” I lean back in my chair. “What can I do for you?”

“How about you come out and have dinner at my house?” he says. “Kids have asked when you are coming over.”

I smile, thinking of them. “How about a rain check? I need to get unpacked and organized before the travel schedule kicks my ass.”

“Okay, squirt.” He peeks down the hall, making sure no one can hear him. “I swear to God, if any of those fucking chumps pull anything it’s over.”

I sit up straight and glare at him. “I will remind you that I just turned twenty-three. I will also remind you that I went to college without my family breathing down my neck, and what do you know, I survived.” I point at him. “Don’t make me call Karrie,” I threaten him.

“Calm down there.” He stands up straight. “No need to tell anyone anything.” He puts his hands in his pockets. “Besides, I’ve already gotten the talk down from Mom and Karrie, but then Cooper called and it was almost like he was putting a price on someone’s head. He basically threatened to call the commissioner and have all females blocked from doing anything with the players.”

I laugh, thinking about Cooper and his exaggeration on me working with the guys.

“Hello,” Matthew says, bringing me back to now. “You okay?”

“Yes, sorry, I was thinking. Listen, I need to set up some photo shoots. Shoo so I can actually work.”

“Okay, kid, text me when you get home.”

“Not going to happen, Matthew, but I will see you tomorrow,” I tell him. He nods and walks away.

I don’t know how long I’m sitting at my computer going over everyone’s schedule and placing it on the roster. I have everyone’s availability but Max’s. I make a note to email him tomorrow morning with a second request. The reason I ask them all this is so I can do some team promo if they are all free, or at least work around some of them. I only stop working when my stomach grumbles, so I get up, closing my laptop, and putting it in my bag, closing off my light. Looking down, I turn to walk away when I run smack into a hard chest.

“Fuck.” I hear when I feel hands hold my arms. The scent of woods and citrus hits me. “You need to watch where you’re going,” he hisses out and the only thing I see is his white T-shirt. Gone is the suit and in its place is his white T-shirt with his name on it and matching pants.

I stand straight and shake his hands off of me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think anyone else was left.” I look at him, his hair still perfect, but now closer I can see the ink on his arms, ink that makes my hands itch. He doesn’t say anything else but goes the other way to walk around me. “Um, Max, I didn’t get your schedule that I requested.”

He turns around. “I don’t have a schedule, Allison. At least none that should be your concern.” He takes two steps away.

“I don’t give a shit what you think should be my concern. It’s in everyone’s contract. If you want, I can forward you the clause. So if you can stop being a dick for two seconds, just send me the schedule.”

He walks to me slowly, almost like he’s on the prowl. His whole demeanor goes from slouching to standing straight and tall. “I don’t need you to forward me shit. I also know that for the last seven fucking years, Mindy didn’t give a shit where I went or what I did. You schedule shit for me and send me an email. I’ll let you know when and if I’m available or not.”

“That’s not how I work.” I refuse to back down.

“Too bad, princess, it’s how I work. Don’t like it, why don’t you go cry to your brother? Maybe he can fight your battles for you. After all, we all know why you got this job.”

My head goes back as if he slapped my face. “I got this job because I’m qualified for this position. Besides, it takes a princess to battle another princess. So if you’ll excuse me, your highness, send me your fucking schedule or I’ll become the biggest pain in your ass. You’ll send me your schedule years after you’re gone,” I say to him and dart away while he mutters “bitch” again. Not one to give him the excuse twice in one day, I turn around, walking backward. “Takes one to know one.” I wink at him, flipping him the bird this time. I walk out of the building, cursing myself for letting him get the best of me. “Asshole.” I make my way to the sidewalk where my Uber ride picks me up.

When I get home, I make myself something to eat and climb into bed with my laptop and glasses. I flip open the television while I check Facebook and then Instagram. Then I notice I have an email alert.

From: Max Horton

To: Princess Pain In My Ass

Subject: Your Royal Request

Here is what you need.

I’ve shared my calendar with you. Work with that.

Regards,

Princess Max Horton

I smile at his name. I smile that he answered, but most of all I smile because round one goes to me. Bitch.