Page 43 of Heartless As Puck

My heart sank. How had they known that? I thought I’d headed it off before anything serious could happen.

“We also heard that you got everything under control like a pro.” Stephen set his glasses on the desk and crossed his legs. “Is that true?”

I didn’t know exactly what to say. On the one hand, I wanted to look good to them, but on the other, I really hadn’t done that much. “All I did was deescalate the situation and distract the people involved by sending them over to play a game of pool.”

Coach Dunn nodded. “That’s more than anyone else did. That kind of calming influence is exactly what the team needs this season.”

My chest lightened. This was good, right? “I’m just glad I could help.”

The two men exchanged a glance. Stephen spoke, but it was clear the message was coming from both of them.

“We’ve talked, and we’d like to offer you the captain’s position on a trial basis.”

My heart skipped a beat, but I tried not to let it show on my face. “I’d really like that. How would the trial work?”

“You’ll be assigned as acting captain for the next month.” It was Coach Dunn’s turn to talk. “If we like what we see, then we’ll make it official. But⁠—”

Uh-oh. I didn’t like the look on his face. Was the other shoe about to drop?

“—you’ve only got one season left on your contract.”

There it was. The other shoe.

“While this month will be your trial run for the season, you can consider the season itself to be something of a trial run to determine whether we continue your contract. If it works out, and we’re pleased with how the team performs, then we’ll extend your contract for another three years and guarantee you the captaincy for next season.”

Sweat sprang up on my palms, and I wiped them discreetly on my pants, then swallowed to wet my throat before forcing myself to ask the most important question.

“And if you aren’t impressed with my performance this season?”

Stephen shrugged. “Then you’re out.”

My heart hammered, and not in a good way. “Not to sound conceited, but I’m one of the better players on the team. Surely, it would be for the benefit of the team to keep me around anyway.”

I tried to meet Coach Dunn’s eyes, knowing that he must realize this, but his gaze was locked on Stephen.

“We can’t rule out the possibility that we decide to renew your contract,” Stephen said, fiddling with the frame of his glasses. “But Mr. Trent is willing to bring in players from other teams who could be suited to the role. He wanted to try someone from within the team first, but if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.”

“I see.” A complicated knot of emotions tingled in my gut. I had a chance to be captain. This was a major career goal of mine and it was within reach. But it was a lot of pressure too. We all knew that the team was a mess, and I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to pull off the miracle they were looking for.

Was I a good player? Yes.

But was I a people person? Not really.

I could see enough to be able to guide players to improve themselves, but whether I actually had the communication skills to persuade them to try was a whole other matter.

“We have one other condition,” Stephen said, glancing down at his watch as if he had somewhere else to be. As if anything could be as important as this. He cleared his throat. “We understand that there has been a romantic development between you and Jane. We’re happy for you, but it isn’t a great look for our captain to be dating his assistant.”

The knot in my gut pulled tighter. Oh, shit. Was the very thing that Gus believed would help me the thing that got in the way?

“She’s not my assistant anymore,” I protested. “She’s been studying to be a speech therapist for the last couple of years, including while she worked for me, and now she’s doing that full-time. I’m supporting her, and she’s helping me out, but only in a personal capacity.”

Stephen clapped. “Great. That’s a relief. We’ll release a statement to that effect so that no one can claim workplace harassment.” He turned to Jane with a conciliatory expression. “Not that I think you’d do that, of course.”

“Of course,” she murmured, her tone belying her feigned nonchalance. She didn’t like the subtle implication that she might turn on me.

“So, do we have a deal?” Stephen asked.

“Yes. Absolutely.”