Page 14 of Bad Run

Without looking away from her phone, Maryse notices me fidgeting. “Relax. You’re going to do great.”

“Thank you.”

Like an avenger coming to rescue me, Cam is the first to arrive. “Hey, Little G.”

The wide grin on his face is infectious, and I easily smile back. “Hey, Cam.”

“Good luck on your first meeting. If anyone messes with you, let me know and I’ll kick their ass.”

I shake my head at him with a chuckle. “That won’t be necessary. I can kick their asses myself.”

“That’s what I like to hear. You’re what Talia calls a boss babe. You got this.” Cam holds out his fist for me to bump.

This six-foot-five beast of a man is a gentle giant. He’s so supportive and sweet, not only to me but to everyone.

Ever since I started working for him, he’s become like another big brother to me. He constantly encourages me to fight for what I want. When Cam found out my father refused to promote me, he was super pissed. He offered to march over to my father and talk to him on my behalf, but I vetoed that suggestion.

I want the marketing role when Maryse leaves on maternity because I earned it. And when she doesn’t return—because she has hinted on multiple occasions that this is her plan—I want my father to notice the great job I did in her absence and promote me to the role.

“Thank you.” The tightness around my chest loosens.

Cam takes a seat at the back of the room, with a few of his close friends who have arrived. I see Reed, Heath, and Blake. Only Nico and Lance have yet to arrive.

When Nico arrives, he shoots a wink my way. Since I started managing his social media, I learned that although he looks intimidatingly hot, he’s a good guy. I nod his way and watch as he swaggers to the back of the room and sits beside Heath.

More of the team starts funneling in, but I know when he arrives.

My body senses him.

Lance walks through the door and beelines to his teammates as the invisible golden threads he wrapped around my body that night shimmer and spark to life.

The hair on my skin stands on end. My stomach flips. My heart races. And the image of me riding him in the back of the cab comes rushing forward.

My eyes fall closed, and my cheeks heat at the memories.

When I open my eyes, he’s staring at me—mouth open, eyes wide in shock.

I swear, for just a second, everything melts away as we stare at one another. His lips twitch and his eyes sparkle, but in a flash the look is gone and his expression morphs into anger.

What the hell does he have to be angry about?

Unable to take his anger, I break eye contact and watch as Maryse starts the meeting. The beat of my heart pounds in my ears as I try to gather my wits and pull myself together.

My boss’s voice sounds like Charlie Brown’s mom until I hear my name. “Gwen? You’re up.”

My cheeks burn hot with embarrassment, and a few of the players chuckle.

“Right.” With a deep breath, I pull my shoulders back and stand. Ignoring the way Lance’s stare feels like daggers on my skin, I walk the team through this year’s spring training PR schedule and philanthropy goals for the season.

When I’m done, most of the team rushes out of the room with a hollered, “Thank you,” while Nico and Cam offer me a warm congratulation before heading out.

“I’m going to use the bathroom. Do you mind grabbing the laptop?” Maryse asks.

“Of course. I’ll meet you upstairs?”

“Sounds good.” Maryse hustles to the door but stops halfway and turns around. “Oh, and awesome job. You did great.”

“Thank you, Maryse.”