The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella (178 page)

“Hold on,” he interrupts, holding up his hand.  Turning the contract over and examining it more closely, he scrunches his nose and purses his lips.  “This has the Red Hawks logo on it.”  He looks at Adam, waving the contract around in the air.  “Why the fuck does this have your goddamn name on it?”

“Listen, I haven’t signed it yet.  Nothing’s official.  I just brought it home to show Emmy.”  I can see the worry in Adam’s eyes.  He feels like he’s betraying his best friend.

“How long have you been looking?” Evan asks, handing Adam the contract.  “I didn’t know you were unhappy at work.  Why the hell didn’t you say anything?  I could have put in a few calls with the Eagles or the Giants, maybe.” 

Juliette reaches up and grabs Evan’s empty hand, squeezing it for support.  Evan’s eyes are filled with sadness, like he just found out there is no Santa Claus.

Quick as a flash, Adam explains.  “No, it’s not like that.  I got a call from a headhunter.  The Red Hawks recruited me.  They want me to be their Director of Player Development, Mac.  Front office.  I’d be leading my own scouting team.  I’d be a fool to turn it down.”

“You sure about this, Adam?  Do you really want to get in bed with the MLB?  I’ve been watching how they treat their minor league players for years; paying them less money than they would make at McDonald’s.  Most of these guys can’t afford to live on their own and have to rent a room in someone’s home or buddy up six or seven to an apartment.  They have no control over their lives or their income.  It’s criminal.”

“Adam, is that true?” I ask, shocked.

He nods.  “Yeah, but that’s one of the reasons why I want to take the job, Em.  They spend all their money offering huge contracts to untested and unproven high school players; each team outbidding the other hoping to find the next Jeter or A-Rod.  If the teams would focus their attention on calling up more players from the minors, they would save money.  And that money could be funneled right back into the farm leagues.”

He directs his argument towards Evan.  “I met with the GM today and discussed my concept on saving the club money and finding the best players at the same time.  They liked what they heard, Mac.  They’re offering me a big, fat two-year contract to test my theories.”

“I dunno, Adam.  I never figured you for a baseball guy.  How are you going to keep from falling asleep during the games?” Evan teases.

“You’re friggin’ hysterical.  Listen, I know baseball isn’t as exciting as football.  There’s no Monday Night Baseball game, it doesn’t have the intense pressure, hard hits, and breakaway speed we’re used to, but it has the best ballparks, out-of-the-park homeruns, and they play in the summer.  No more freezing my ass off in the dead of winter.”

“Yeah, but football has cheerleaders,” Evan counters, earning him a slap on the arm from Jette.

“True,” Adam agrees.  “But at least baseball doesn’t have concussions or traumatic brain injuries.  Not to mention career-ending bone breaks.”

Jette and I have been sitting quietly watching these two go back and forth like we’re watching a tennis match. 

“Whatever, man.”  Evan finally concedes.  “I’ve had enough of these dumb-ass debates with Cole to know when to stop.  Are you sure about this?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.  I’ve gotta do this now.  I’ll never get another offer like this.  Besides,” Adam puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me in closer again, “it means that I won’t have to travel with the team anymore.  I can go scouting
when
I want to,
where
I want to, and
if
I want to.  I need to be home as much as I can once the baby arrives.  I completely missed out on the first two years of Kai’s life.  That’s not going to happen this time.”

I look up at the man I love with all my heart, and I know without a doubt that he is making the right choice for us. 

Evan scoots out first, offers a hand to Adam, and pulls him out and onto his feet.  The two hug it out with aggressive back slaps and words of genuine congratulations and best wishes.

Before long, others join in to congratulate Adam, Marcus being the first among them.  Marcus is already placing his order for game tickets.  He wants tickets when they play the Yankees, the Red Sox, and the Tigers.

Adam proudly tells us how he will have access to the board’s Executive Suite for two games each season and that he has no control over which games they might be.  Other than that, he can get everyone single game tickets for any game, which seems to make Evan and Marcus extremely happy.

Jette pulls me to the side and offers her own congratulations.  “I don’t know about you, Emmy, but personally I think this is a great move both professionally and personally.  They’ve come so far together, but I think it will do them both good to stand on their own two feet for a change.”  And she correctly points out that simple fact that it’s the women who usually maintain friendships for the couples.  Since neither of us is going anywhere in the near future, we have nothing to worry about.

Reese joins us, too, and we quickly bring her up to speed on Adam’s news.  She throws her arms around me, squeezing me in delight.  “Congratulations.  I’m so happy for the both of you. You deserve a wonderful life, and this is a great opportunity.”

I see everyone cozying up to the bar for a round of congratulatory shots, and my shoulders immediately sag as I watch in total and complete jealousy.  Jette and Reese both hurry over to grab their glass, leaving me standing alone and empty handed.  There will be no shots for me anytime soon – the only part about being pregnant that I dislike.

Before they enjoy their drink, Evan decides to say a few words of encouragement.  After a few sarcastic thoughts about Adam riding his coattails for all these years, Adam stops him mid-sentence.  Frantically, Adam scans the room and once his eyes land on mine, he hands Evan his drink and heads directly towards me.  “Aren’t you going to toast with us?” he asks.

I just shake my head and shrug.  “Can’t.”

“Bull shit,” Adam retorts, dragging me to the bar.  He demands the second shift bartender, Blaine, make me a virgin shot of something.  I watch as he pours some cranberry juice and lime juice in a shaker with ice, shake it up and pour it into a short glass with a squirt of ginger ale.  It looks surprisingly identical to the drinks everyone else is holding and I no longer feel like the odd-man out.

Evan hands the shot back to Adam and continues his insult-laced toast of congratulations.  Evan claims that whatever small moments of success Adam might enjoy are a direct result of the years he spent under Evan’s watchful eye and tutelage. 

For the next hour or so it’s a party, and everyone is genuinely happy for Adam’s success.  Marcus has commandeered a few tables, pulled them together, and created a spot where we can all sit down and enjoy a meal together.  Marcus’ wife Camilla arrives just in time, as do Derek and Shea.  It’s the first time we’ve all been together since Evan and Jette’s wedding, and it feels great to have the whole gang here to celebrate with Adam.

With constant regularity, Blaine brings over a fresh round of cocktails and Lindsay makes sure that we have a veritable smorgasbord of sandwiches and finger food to stuff ourselves with.  Thanks to the generosity of our friends, Adam’s glass is never empty for very long.

We spend the night laughing, drinking, and reminiscing about the disastrous ways Adam earned his stripes trying to clean up the often regrettable and mostly public slip-ups Evan has made over the years.  And at the same time, rejoicing in the exploits that they both often enjoyed together as a team of ne’er do-wells.  How far they’ve both come in the past year.

My considerably inebriated boyfriend bites his teeth gently but firmly into the nape of my neck. A heated tickle shivers through me as he whispers, “marry me,” into my ear. 

“Not tonight,” I tell him.

Adam looks at me and smiles.  “It may not be a
yes
, but at least it’s not a flat out
no
.”  I can’t look at his face without smiling in return.  Our mutual smiles leads to a kiss.  His lips part and his tongue reaches for mine and I can’t help but drink him in. The tastes of whiskey and beer on his lips blend with mint and chocolate on mine, creating a flavor that’s all our own.

He pulls away and looks at me, his eyes taking on a mischievous glint.  “We need to leave.  Immediately.”

“Oh really?” I tease, somewhat breathless myself.

“Really.”  In a low growl, he whispers, “The things I’m going to do to you when I get you home and naked.”

I can’t help but grin when I hear those words leave his lips.  I wonder what else I can get him to say.  It shouldn’t be too hard, considering his current state.  “What, exactly, do you have in mind?  All our friends are here and the party is still going strong.  If I’m going to leave, it better be worth it.”

Adam smirks as he pulls me onto his lap. “I'm no weather man, but you can expect more than a few inches tonight.”

I roll my eyes and shake my head.  He’s going to have to do better than that.  “Gee, I don’t know. I was hoping for more details. I think you’ll have to come up with a better forecast.”

Without missing a beat, he retorts in a voice louder than I would like, “It’s supposed to be very warm and increasingly wet, and I’m pretty sure they just issued a flash flood warning, too.”

Deciding to play along, I breathe in his ear, “And do you intend to ride out the storm until it passes?”

Adam pulls me back to his chest roughly. “What’s wrong?  Are you afraid of my sturge sorm?  I mean surge storm. No, that’s not right, either.  Shit.”

“Great, sloppy drunken sex – my favorite.  Should be the best eighty-four seconds of my life,” I whine, teasing. 

“Be careful, woman.  I’m far from drunk and just to prove my point, I may have to take my time with you,” his words coming out in a sensual whisper.  “And if you continue to doubt me, I will have no choice but to make that smart mouth of yours scream my name as I make you come over and over again.”

My body immediately responds to hearing those words leave his mouth. His eyes radiate heat and hunger, sparking my own wild desire for him.  All I want is to tear that shirt away from his body so I can run my hands up and down his firm chest.

I whisper into his ear, “I’m betting that you pass out as soon as your head hits the pillow.”

He takes the back of my neck in a possessive grasp as he rakes his top teeth over his lip. “That’s a bet you’re sure to lose, my love, because I am definitely
up
for the challenge.” 

I look around to see if anyone is watching and I surreptitiously slide my hand down his chest and I don’t stop until my palm is placed firmly against his crotch.  I bite my lip and hum appreciatively when I discover how hard he already is.

The moment I begin to explore more thoroughly, Adam jumps up, grabs my hand, and quickly leads us through the crowd. There’s no stopping him now. He is a man on a mission. 

I
HAVEN’T HEARD
from Adam all day, but then again, I didn’t really expect to.  It’s his first day with the Red Hawks and I’m sure he hasn’t had a moment to slow down.  I bet he didn’t even stop to eat lunch.  I know Adam better than anyone and when he’s in work mode, it’s damn near impossible to get him to think about anything else. 

I send him a quick little text message just to let him know I’m thinking about him.

My phone pings with a response. 

A wink?  I suppose that’s good.  He must be doing well, otherwise I’d probably get a sad face or no response at all.

Jette comes over and takes a seat at the bar.  It’s a slow Thursday afternoon and the place is pretty empty at the moment.  “Hey, have you heard from Adam?” she asks.

“Not exactly.  But that’s okay, he’s probably super busy,” I explain as I wipe down the bar for the hundredth time.  “Thirsty?”

“Yeah, now that you mention it.  Club soda with a twist of lime would be great.  Thanks.” 

I reach down to fill a tall glass with ice as an idea strikes me.  “Hey, Jette.  Do you think it would be okay if I brought home something for dessert tonight?  I want to make Adam a special dinner and I’m thinking one of your cheesecakes would be perfect.”

She shakes her head.  “Cheesecake?  Nah, we can do better than that.  How about I wrap up two of Natalie’s decadent chocolate pudding cakes?  They’re just the right size and I’ll have her garnish it with her handmade Chantilly crème, fresh strawberries, and few mint leaves.  He’ll love it.”

“Oh, my God, Jette.  That sounds perfect.  There’s just one problem, Adam usually cooks dinner.  It’s not that I can’t cook, I just ... don’t.”  I shrug my shoulders.  It’s a silly thing, really, but I’ve been working in the food industry for years.  Either I eat at the restaurant or I bring something home.  Cooking was never ... necessary.

“You need to go talk to Reese,” she tells me.  “She’s in the back.  Why don’t you head back there and see what she thinks.”

I take a look around and there are only two customers seated on the floor and absolutely none at the bar.  “It’s pretty slow, but I’m alone back here.  I can’t leave the bar completely unattended, Jette.”