Playing to Win (The Players)

It was way too easy getting the social media manager position. I guess Jim did put in a good word for me, because the next thing I know, after I chat for a few minutes with Marilee, the head of the Athletic Department’s social media, I’m being introduced to the rest of the football social media team. There’s a very intimidating looking woman with sharp features and dark, wildly curly hair named Gwyneth and a totally dorky looking guy named Eric. He wears thick glasses and is long and lanky and knows more about the Colorado Golden Eagles football team than any person should.

He’s currently rattling off stats and facts as he escorts me around the office where our headquarters is—his words, not mine—and I just nod and smile, ignoring the way Gwyneth stares as I wander around the tiny room.

Because our headquarters is exactly that: a single, cramped office with two desks, each topped with a massive computer that has seen way better days.

“We don’t use these.” Eric slaps the top of one of the monitors, dust rising and making my nose itch. “We bring our own laptops into the office sometimes, but mostly, I do my best work on my camera or my phone.”

“That makes sense,” I say.

“You have a laptop?” Gwyneth asks me from where she sits at the other desk.

I nod. “Yeah.”

“And a phone?” She raises her brows.

What the hell? “Um, yeah.” I pull my phone out of my pocket, holding it up for her as proof.

“Come on, Gwen. Knock it off. Don’t forget she’s a Maguire.” The look on Eric’s face tells me he might drop to his knees in front of me at any moment, like I’m royalty. I suppose to him I am part of football royalty, thanks to my family. The respect in his gaze is clear. “Knox’s little sister.”

“Ugh, that guy.” Gwen blows out a harsh breath, her expression turning guilty when she notices I’m glaring at her. I mean, I know she’s my superior, but she’s bashing my brother. Right in front of me.

That’s not cool.

“We’ll be out with the team tomorrow afternoon when they’re at practice, creating content,” Gwen says briskly, all business. “We’ll meet here first before we head out. Four o’clock sharp. Does your schedule allow for that?”

She asks the question like it’s a challenge and she knows for sure I’m going to fail.

“Definitely,” I say with a nod, keeping it strictly business too. I don’t care if Gwen doesn’t like Knox. She might not like me either because I’m related to him, but I’m not about to let that get in the way of my job.

If she’s trying to scare me away, it’s not working.

“Good.” Her smile is faint and it doesn’t quite reach her eyes, but I return the smile anyway because if I’m anything it’s a people pleaser. “I was worried you might be spoiled because you’re a Maguire.”

“Gwyneth,” Eric softly chastises. “Ease up.”

“No, it’s okay.” I send him a blinding smile before I aim it at Miss Doubter aka Gwyneth. “I get it. You probably think I’ve been handed everything I could ever want my entire life.”

“You do get it.” Gwen inclines her head toward me. “You’re going to have to prove yourself before I accept you as a bona fide member of our team.”

Eric makes an irritated noise, but I talk right over it.

“That’s fine. I wouldn’t want you to be fake with me.”

“The very last thing I can be is fake.” Gwen scowls.

“Isn’t that the truth,” Eric mutters under his breath, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, his gaze filled with longing as he stares at her.

I blink, surprised. Does Eric have the hots for Gwyneth?

The longing look is gone in a second and I tell myself I was seeing things.

I fill out paperwork and Eric discusses the pay structure. Minimum wage to start, with the pay increasing after ninety days. Perfect. Sounds like every other job I’ve had. Considering I’ve only had two jobs prior to this one, both of them part-time, that’s not saying much.

“Is there a dress code or anything?” I ask Eric when I finish with the last of my paperwork.

“Not really,” Gwen answers for him. “Casual clothing is best. Team colors on game days—we have a staff shirt we can give you too. What size are you? Small?”

“Medium,” I tell her. “And thank you.”

She doesn’t even crack a smile. “One word of warning. Don’t flirt with the team. It’s not allowed. You can’t date them.”

Ugh. Like I’d want to.

“Don’t dress to get their attention either, if you know what I mean,” Gwen tacks on.

“Jesus, Gwyneth. You need to chill,” Eric says, clearly irritated.

“Look, I don’t think so. Remember that girl last season? She wore a low-cut tank top during every game she was at, even in October, and her boobs practically fell out of it. One of the coaches even came to me after a game and said we needed to get rid of her because she was a complete distraction.”

“Maybe she couldn’t help it,” I say, trying to defend this poor girl who just might be cursed with huge breasts she can barely contain. I don’t know. And why should we be responsible for how a man looks at us?

“Please.” Gwen makes a dismissive noise. “She was hot for one of the tight ends. When we canned her, she was so pissed. Despite her admitting to me the only reason she wanted the job in the first place was to date a football player. She never took the position seriously.”

“She was mad, and she admitted that to me too,” Eric adds, his voice soft, his gaze shifting to me. “Look, we don’t discriminate. Or judge. But I have to agree with Gwen. Flirting with any member of the team is…dangerous. We have to keep it strictly professional.”

I did notice there was a professional behavior clause in the contract I signed, but I must’ve skipped over the no dating athletes clause. “I know a few of those guys. And I have zero desire to flirt with them.”

“Good to know. I’m guessing the majority of them would want to get with you because of your connections,” Gwyneth mutters, jumping to her feet. She points at me, her tone fierce. “Be careful, Ruby Maguire. All those guys on the football team? They can be—a lot sometimes.”

I nod, not bothering to say another word. There is no reason for me to be intimidated by any member of the football team. I can handle them. I was always able to handle Knox’s friends. Most of the time, they paid zero attention to me anyway. I was just the annoying little sister.

But now with Knox and Blair gone, I’m the lone Maguire left. Do they even care?

I know there’s one who might, but from the vibe I got from him that night at the New Year’s party, I’m sure he’s already moved on. I don’t matter to him.

And he doesn’t matter to me either.

Considering I’m going to avoid Ace Townsend at all costs, I’m not too worried about this.

At all.

I’m just walking into my apartment when I get a FaceTime call from my mom’s phone number. I answer immediately, not surprised at all to see both of my parents’ faces fill the screen.

“Hey, honey.” My dad’s deep, warm voice immediately calms me and I settle onto the couch in the living room, eager to talk to both of them. “Your mom tells me you’ve found a job.”

We’ve been texting about it. I like to keep her up to date with what’s going on in my life, and I think they’ve been extra anxious about me since I’ve made the move back to Colorado.

Funny how I come back to my home state, only for my parents to move to California to be closer to my aunt Fable and uncle Drew. I get why they left—Blair was pissed and I think she might still be, even though she’s moved too—but once they became empty nesters, they wanted to do something for themselves. They’ve given us so much, it’s only fair they have a little fun now and live where they want.

Since I’ve always loved going to my aunt and uncle’s house throughout the years, I don’t mind them all living close to each other. It’s like a one-stop visit now.

“I did.” I explain to them both what I’m doing and how it’s all for the football team. I can tell this pleases my football-loving father immensely.

“That’s great,” he says once I finish describing my duties. “Sounds like you’ll enjoy it. You’re always on your phone so you’ve got the skills.”

“Ha ha, Dad,” I say, making him grin. “I think anyone my age could qualify, according to your standards.”

“True.” His expression turns serious. “I’m excited for you, honey. You seem happy there and I’m sure finding a paid internship related to your major is a relief.”

“It is,” I agree. “It’ll look good on my resume and it’ll be fun. We’re going to create videos featuring the football team. As long as they’re good-natured about it, it should be easy.”

“I’m sure they’ll love it. Most of those guys are a bunch of show-offs anyway,” Mom says, Dad sending her a wounded look.

“What, was I a show-off back in the day?”

“Definitely,” Mom says without hesitation, laughing when Dad utters a soft hey in defense.

Dad can still be a show-off, but in the best way. He’s always been full of joy. The good-time Dad, the one who used to toss us high into the air, into the pool, wherever. Blair and I would scream and carry on and he’d just laugh. As we got older, he was there for us. A steady influence, someone we could count on. Mom is the nurturing one. The one we come to for hugs and comfort, our dumping ground when shit goes wrong.

“Do you know many of the guys on the team?” Dad asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

“A few,” I hedge, not wanting to mention anyone in particular. “Not many though. I only met the guys from Knox’s close circle over the holidays and the majority of them are gone now. They all graduated.”

“Makes sense,” Mom murmurs, her smile gentle. “Any good-looking ones?”

“Mom.” I drag the word out, a little embarrassed. I don’t want to talk about hot football players in front of Dad. Talk about awkward.

“Just asking. Look at your sister.”

“I’m not going to be like Blair,” I say, my voice firm.

“You never know,” Mom says with hope in her voice and I try my best to ignore her.

“That new quarterback is looking pretty good out on the field,” Dad observes.

Ugh. We just went into the direction I didn’t want to go.

“He’s also very handsome,” Mom says, sounding one hundred percent like a mother with that particular assessment.

I roll my eyes. “Ace Townsend is kind of an asshole.”

My parents share a look, laughing.

“So you have met him,” Mom says, her tone knowing.

“At the New Year’s party when I was here for the holidays. It was no biggie.” The lies that come out of my mouth are astounding, but maybe if I say it often enough, I’ll start to believe it. “How’s Knox? Have you talked to him lately?”

I change the subject quickly and Dad rattles on about how great Knox is doing with his new team, which is exactly what I wanted to hear. I don’t talk to Knox as often as I do with Blair so I appreciate the update, though I’m only halfway listening.

The other half of my brain is wondering how I’m going to deal with seeing Ace tomorrow.

Am I making a bigger deal about this than I need to be? Probably, but that’s always been my mode of operation. I sort of make a big deal over…everything.

I guess Ace is no exception.

He definitely blew it that night. I would’ve done pretty much anything with him to experience that heady, all-consuming chemistry I felt with him during that moment in the bathroom. I haven’t experienced something like that with a guy before or since. And it really better not be a one-shot moment only with that guy. If that’s the case?

I’m freaking doomed.