Page 133 of Playing to Win
“Is there anything else you need to tell me?”
“We will have your final check ready for you by the end of the day,” Marilee says, her tone efficient. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you.”
“Me too,” I say sadly, turning on my heel and fleeing Jim’s office. Hightailing it out of the athletic department building before I possibly bump into someone I might know.
I think about what Marilee said the entire time I walk across campus, headed for the parking lot so I can jump in my car and go home. How she said she’s sorry it didn’t work out for me. A year ago, this would’ve sent me into a spiral. I would’ve been devastated. Losing a job that’s in my major all over a guy? I would’ve beat myself up endlessly.
But Ace isn’t just a guy. He’s the man I’m in love with, and he’s in love with me. Marilee is wrong.
It did work out for me.
FORTY-TWO
ACE
We’re almost donewith practice for the day when our social media team finally appears on the sidelines of the field.
Minus my girl.
I frown in Eric and Gwen’s direction, noting how pissed off they both look. And not at each other either. Their heads are bent close together and they’re talking—a lot. With animated gestures and matching scowls on their faces.
A scowl is Gwyneth’s natural expression, but lately, she’s been smiling more and that’s because she’s with Eric. They make a good couple. Ruby encourages their relationship, even though I know she finds it extremely unfair that they can be together, but we can’t.
I have to agree.
Eric and Gwen don’t even bother filming us. By the time practice is over, they’re waving at me to come over and talk to them and since curiosity gets the better of me, I’m on them in seconds.
“Where’s Ruby?”
The look on Gwen’s face is pure misery mixed with anger. “They fired her.”
My heart drops into my balls. “Say what?”
“She got f-fired. I-I can’t believe it.” Gwen bursts into tears and Eric wraps his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into him, his expression grim when he looks at me.
“They let her go this afternoon. They found out you two are together.”
“Do you know how?”
“Ruby called it speculation online about the two of you. Do you know about it?”
I get tagged in a lot of shit. It’s constant, especially after a game. I haven’t had a chance to scroll through it all yet, and sometimes…I don’t even look at it all. It’s too much and I get overwhelmed.
Besides, I spent most of Sunday with Ruby at her apartment and then I went home and worked on homework for the rest of the night. I’ve been busy with school today. Practice.
“What kind of speculation?” I ask.
“Something about you slapping her butt on the sidelines,” Eric says.
Gwen lifts her head, her face covered in tears and her eyes blazing red. “I saw it. You smacked her ass in front of thousands of people and of course, someone caught it. Many someones.”
Her tone is accusatory and I guess I can’t blame her. I did slap Ruby’s ass because I’m always touching it. I sort of forgot myself, which is typical when I’m around her.
Shit.
“I cost her the job.” My voice is hollow and a ragged exhale leaves me. “This is my fault.”
“No way—” Eric starts but Gwen cuts him off.
