Page 89 of Body Check

thirty-two

. . .

Amelia

Robby has been giving me weird looks all week. Every time I turn around, he’s watching me, a furrow in his brow. On our road trip, he made a point to sit beside me on our flights, and in the few days we’ve been home, he’s asked me to lunch each day. I always have a carefully crafted excuse for why I can’t be alone with him.

In the pit of my stomach, I know he knows. And if he asks me outright, I won’t lie to him. He doesn’t deserve to be deceived. I just have to hope that he’ll agree to keep my secret.

Derek calls me, Zac, and Graham in for our morning staff meeting, checking on our caseloads. I don’t think anything of it until, as he’s closing the meeting, he adds one last remark.

“Don’t forget to do your sexual harassment training by the end of the week.” His eyes linger on me, and I keep my face carefully neutral. “It’s assigned in the learning module for all staff members.”

“You got it, boss,” Graham says, giving him a salute.

“Didn’t we just do it?” Zac asks.

“Management decided it’s time for a refresher,” Derek says. “The training should take less than half an hour. Knock it out, and we can go on with our day.”

I nod, my stomach swirling with nerves.

Someone knows.

Someone high in management knows. What the hell do we do now?

The only good thing about Jason’s injury is that we can’t work together until his cast is removed and he’s cleared for light movement. There’s no chance of fraternizing when he’s banned from travel and isn’t playing.

It’s still shitty, though. I don’t want to spend time outside of work with any of the players, only my boyfriend.

Now that the team is home, there’s a steady stream of visitors at Jason’s place. I haven’t be spent the night since I got back. The guys are constantly at their captain’s door, inviting themselves over for dinner or video games or a chat.

As happy as I am that he has a support network, I selfishly want him all to myself. I don’t want to share him.

But this is part and parcel of being captain. He has to be there to lend an ear and support his teammates. I just wish I could be with him and not relegated to my apartment—or worse, sitting quietly in his bedroom, like his dirty little secret.

I could go to management. I could tell them we’re together.

Except I don’t know if he is ready for that. There has been no mention of going down to HR. He didn’t even tell me he talked to Tyler about us; my brother told me, and as glad as I am to know they approve of us, I wish it was something we did together. No, Jason’s kept everything close to his chest; almost too close.

He won’t talk about what happens next. About what he’ll do after the season’s over. Will he try for another contract?

Jason is on my mind all through my morning patients, and as I walk into the lounge to fill my water bottle, I find him sitting with MacGregor and Easton, the two assistant captains.

Nodding at the guys, I make my way to the water filter, filling the bottle. I can hear the low murmur of voices, the words indistinct.

I head back to my office to input my notes on Sinclair’s wrist when there’s a knock on the open door. Swiveling on the stool, my stomach swoops when Jason crutches his way into the small office, closing the door behind him.

My mouth runs dry. “What are you doing here?”

“I need to talk to you,” he says. “And since I can’t seem to get five minutes alone with you at home…”

“You’ve been busy.” There’s no judgment in my voice, only resignation.

“Yeah.” Jason clears his throat. “I made a decision, and it’s something that impacts you, so I need you to not freak out about it.”

“Okay…” My heart rate ricochets up.

“You’re certain you don’t want kids, right? One hundred percent?” There’s a furrow between his brow. “Because if this is a work thing…”