CHANGING THE PLAYER: Charleston Pirates #1 by Chance, Jacob (digital e reader TXT) 📕

better than to make predictions,” Kendra scolds him, and we all laugh.

Owen holds his hands up in front of him. “Hey, I just asked a simple question. I didn’t say anyone had to answer.”

I’m not too superstitious in general, but that’s one I follow, as everyone sitting here does. We all learned it back in our Boston Terrier days.

“Are you guys all in for the Hamptons reunion this summer?” Owen asks.

“Hell yeah. I can’t wait to win the Trophy again. It’s found a nice home in my office,” Trevor brags.

Owen scowls. “Fuck that. You won’t see that happening two years in a row.”

“Boys, it’s a game of beach football. Don’t take it so seriously,” Kendra inserts.

“It’s more than a game, Kendra. It’s legendary,” Trevor explains before his gaze lands on me. “Flynn, please disabuse your sister of the misconception that our annual football championship is just a game.”

I look at Kendra and find laughter in her eyes. It’s great to see after the hellish ordeal of the last couple of days. I gesture toward Trevor. “You heard the man.”

She pushes her sleeves up. “I’ve never seen this so-called ‘annual championship,’ so how would I know?”

“If that’s your way of finagling an invite, consider yourself invited,” Owen tells her.

Kendra flashes a toothy smile. “Thank you. I was hoping you’d say that.”

All too soon it’s time to head back to our folks’ house. We have an early flight in the morning, and these guys all need to get home to their families. Spending time with them and seeing the love they have for their wives has made me miss Nadia even more.

25

Flynn

“Nadia’s still not answering my calls. How can I make things better between us if I’m getting the silent treatment?” I ask Kendra.

I feel her judgemental gaze burning into the side of my face. “She’s angry with you, and can you blame her?”

“No, I can’t, but I also can’t explain if she won’t let me.”

“Maybe that’s the point.” She wears an evil little smirk, like she’s enjoying my pain a little too much.

“What’s the point?” I’m so confused. The women in my life are all confusing.

“She’s making you sweat it out, and that’s torturous for you because you don’t know what’s going on. Nadia might be an evil genius under that professional appearance.”

The driver in the truck behind us lays on his horn, letting us know the traffic light has turned green. “Fuck off, asshole.” Kendra pauses to flash him the finger and make him wait even longer.

“Kendra, Jesus. Just drive. I don’t need to get in a fist fight on the side of the road defending you from some dickhead.”

“Aww, you’d get in a fight for me?” she asks.

“Yes, of course I would. But that doesn’t mean I want to. I’d like to keep my job if I haven’t already lost it.”

“I think your job’s still secure, but Nadia may be another story,” she casually drops, like it’s no big deal.

A grunt of annoyance leaves me. “Thanks for the reassurance.”

“That’s what I’m here for.” She pulls into my driveway and parks, leaving the car running.

I jump out, peering inside. “Thanks for the ride. Call me if you need anything.”

“Will do. Good luck with Nadia. You’re gonna need it.” I close the door, blocking her laughter, and grab my suitcase from the trunk. I need a shower, a change of clothes, and to go find the woman I love.

* * *

I’m a man on a mission as I enter Legacy Sports Management. Margot isn’t at her desk, so I head down the hallway. Nadia’s office door is open, but when I peer inside, she’s not there.

Where the hell is everyone?

I step inside and search for a clue as to where she might be. Her desk seems like the logical choice, but she’s a neat freak and the only thing there besides her laptop is her daily planner. She insists on writing her appointments down as well as scheduling them electronically. I’ve teased her about it in the past and told her to join the twenty-first century like the rest of us. But she never misses appointments, so I guess her system works for her.

Picking up her planner, I page through it looking for today’s date. I probably shouldn’t be doing this, but I’ve said that same phrase in my lifetime more times than I can count. At least this time my intentions are good.

I find the page I need and look for where she is now. It says: appointment with Doctor Williams at the Women’s Fertility Clinic.

Oh fuck. This must be the December appointment she mentioned she had scheduled for the artificial insemination process.

She said she was going to cancel it.

Slamming the planner shut, I drop it on her desk and race from her office. Margot is at her desk this time.

“Flynn, do you need something,” she calls out.

“My woman,” I shout over my shoulder before I shove the door open. I run down the street to my truck, and once I’m seated inside, I look up the address for the clinic she’s at. It’s only a few miles away.

In my haste to get there, I recklessly weave in and out of lanes to get ahead of the slower vehicles. With both hands clenched on the wheel, the tension in my shoulders, along with my stress level, increases to a painful degree. I feel like something’s going to pop from the pressure. Most likely it’ll be my head.

Scanning the numbers on the buildings as I drive past, I look for the appropriate one. Noticing it up ahead, I put my blinker on and turn in to the parking lot. I have to take a ticket and wait for the arm to go up and let me through. My teeth are gnashing by the time it does. I find the first available space and ease my truck in. It’s a little tight, but I can’t be bothered worrying about my truck when Nadia may be