Page 101 of Draft Pick
Pretty sure each of us wanted something different, so we ended up ordering it all. I grab a truffle fry and shove it into my mouth before speaking again. “Kinda crazy, actually. It makes sense for you all to be friends, but I’m just the kid doctor. Nothing remotely comparable to baseball.”
“I think that’s what makes you perfect for us,” Tenley proclaims, making me soften. “You’re the perfect addition. Only someone special would ever do for our Crew and Addie girl.”
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about,” Crew agrees.
“You know…” Jack stammers. “Offer still stands if you wanna reconcile that? I’ve got an office with your name on the door. I can even guarantee a shiny new sign, Doc.”
Crew growls just slightly at Jack’s choice of nickname for me. It’s lessened with time; the protective caveman can’t be entirely perfect.
“You seriously trying to get rid of Dr. Laken?” Gus questions, laughing to himself as he shuffles the deck of cards.
“I’ve got no issues with Laken,” Jack answers, bearded face covered in nonchalance.
“That still doesn’t answer my question.” Gus loves putting people in their place, but Jack is a difficult one to break.
“What I’m saying is, we could use another female around Makers. I’m man enough to admit I appreciate a woman’s role in our field. They bring a level of expertise our arrogant asses can’t see. Especially in the medical sense.”
“Preach,” I chant, not at all agreeing to the job offer, but it’s nice to hear a man talk proudly about how capable we are as women. And in this sense, how capableIam.
From one professional to another, I appreciate that.
“Great, so you accept?” Jack counters. That was expected.
I laugh, jabbing my fork into a honey BBQ chicken tender and biting off the end. “Sorry, boss man. No can do.”
“Leave her alone about it, would you?” Crew intervenes. “I’m enjoying having her in the stands too much to have that change for work. Plus, it makes seeing each other at the end of the day that much sweeter.”
“Favorite part of my day.” I smile, pressing a kiss to his lips.
“So, anyways,” King changes the subject, his dramatic gag only making me want to give him something better to see. “Two months until the fundraiser, huh? Everything still going according to plan?”
Jack nods, tossing down his stack of playing cards, signaling the game is either over or at a pause. “The rink just signed off on the vendor map and stage setup, which Tenley and I knew would be the biggest hold-up. Now that that’s in the clear, we still need to verify our sponsors booked months ago are still in and organize the player auction.”
“The fun part.” King rubs his hands together. No surprise that the resident single is ready to be put to work by a woman willing. Or man. Not that he’ll have a choice.
Speaking of sponsors…
“I’d love the practice to sponsor the event if you still have room for me,” I tell Jack, hoping he didn’t forget about my contribution. I’ve already ordered anything and everything, along with meticulously saving for my donation.
“I already have you in the books.” Jack brings a water bottle to his lips.
Crew sends me a pleased look, and I know he appreciates what he sees. Water is good. That’s a step in the healthy direction. Still, to this day, I feel guilty about those beers we drank together. I had no idea how deep his addiction ran.
“Perfect.”
“And what about dates? I’m assuming it will be noted that all married players will be opted out of the auction?” Crew asks, likely asking for all of the husbands here.
Jack nods, rolling his eyes in the process. “You will not be required to auction yourself alone. However, I’m still undecided if those couples will be required to still participate one way or another. Maybe even charity services.”
“Not exactly a bad idea. Any way we can give back,” Crew replies.
Jack holds up his hand, urging him not to get carried away. “But hear me out, Briggs, you and Juniper may be a couple, but you’re not married. That’s the fallback.”
Oh goodness. The thought didn’t even occur to me. We’ve been living like couples do when they’re married; the notion that we aren’t never even crossed my mind.
“But we’re engaged,” Crew deadpans.
We are. And I still can’t believe it. Crew proposed the first night I was officially moved into his house. It was everything I could have hoped for. Intimate and true to us.
