Page 40 of Buzzer Beater

I sat up and smiled. “Sorry, I was kind of rude on the boat and ignored everyone.”

She laughed and nodded to the woman next to her. “I wasn’t there, so don’t feel bad. Kendall and I were lounging at the beach instead.”

“I’m Colby.” The woman with honey colored hair smiled at me and I relaxed a little bit. They were all so welcoming. Not the stuck-up snobs I’d expect athletes’ wives to be.

“Nice to meet you all. “

“Trust me, we’re all very excited about meeting you.” Colby stated and the rest of the women nodded.

“We’ve known about you for years,” Emma said. “I think I speak for everyone else when I say that I’m happy to finally meet you.”

Emma’s words caught me off guard.

“Why?”

Her smile grew. “You’ve been like a phantom. Everyone knows that once upon a time Brassard had a heart and believed in love, but it was before he came to the Fury, so no one's actually seen it. Now we all have.” She tilted her head like she knew more than she was letting on.

I couldn’t believe he’d really never dated anyone else. “Colin really hasn’t had another relationship?”

Chloe and Emma shook their heads. “Nope. He’s gone out when we’ve forced him, but he doesn’t really care about any of the women.”

Emma cut Chloe off. “He says we’re too much drama and too much of a distraction.”

They all giggled, but Madeline chimed in. “He’s probably been panicking this past year.”

This made them laugh even harder. I looked to each of them waiting for an explanation.

Chloe was the first to settle down. “It started with me.”

Emma threw up her arms. “What about me?”

I sat there growing uncomfortable at not being in on the joke.

Madeline looked at Emma. “You and Olli have been together forever. You’re the cornerstone of the team, but the recent surge of relationships started last season.”

Chloe turned to me and smiled. “Last season, Reese Murray joined the team.”

“You need to tell her you work in the office,” Colby interjected.

Chloe nodded. “Right, I work as the director of marketing for the Fury. I met him, and sparks flew even though I was not interested in dating a player. I mean, I’m around the guys twenty-four-seven. I thought my personal life could be a break from it all.”

The rest of the girls snickered, but I didn’t get it. Again.

“Chloe’s whole life revolves around the team,” Madeline said, interrupting Chloe. “Even when she’s not working, she’s doing something that connects to the team.”

I appreciated being caught up.

“So, fate pushed us together,” Chloe said, “and we fell in love. We kept our relationship a secret from everyone, even my twin who’s on the team.”

That was shocking. The girl really did need another hobby.

Chloe scrunched her nose. “I was so nervous to tell everyone. I thought the team would hate me, but it all worked out.” She sat back with a smile like her experience would somehow help mine. It didn’t. At least not in the way she seemed to think.

“I’m happy for you,” I said. “That’s great that you guys got things worked out.” I didn’t know what else to say.

“I’m married to her brother.” Madeline spoke up. “I was his physical therapist after he got injured. Another relationship that never, ever should have happened, but it did.”

I nodded. Now I was catching on. They both beat the odds, so I could too. That was a nice thought but neither of them had baggage like me and Colin.