38. Drew

CHAPTER 38

DREW

After a busy morning helping Dr. Rosie assess and draw up a game plan to help rehab a pulled hamstring for a player, Drew took a break. He poured himself a cup of coffee and took it upstairs to the long windows overlooking the field. As he leaned against a wall post, his frown grew more and more pronounced, watching as first Lee stumbled and fell, then missed a tackle, and then dropped a pass.

He hadn't been paying attention to who was coming and going along the busy hallway, and so was surprised to hear a grunt of displeasure right beside him.

"He better not be letting your drama affect his play."

Drew side-eyed the team's GM, Jared Fitz. "Excuse me?" He straightened from his slouch as he faced the man who could hurt both his and Lee's careers if he chose to.

"You heard me. I know everything that goes on."

Raking his gaze from the top of the styled, slicked-back hair, past the tailored suit and the Windsor-knotted team tie, all the way to the tips of the shiny black shoes, Fitz looked every bit the team manager he was. The Troopers' GM pinged Drew's gaydar, and with how LGBTQIA+-friendly the team was, he suspected Fitz might resemble one of those letters. He looked good, damn good, staring down at the field as if he could will the players to be better, but Drew wasn't impressed, especially not after that bullshit comment.

"Really? You know everything?" Drew crossed his arms and stared at Fitz while, below on the field, Lee's coach had pulled him aside.

"I heard about the brewery, about the kissing and the walking away, and then I saw a less than stellar performance in Florida." Fitz glanced at him, his mouth set in a firm line. "I think you and your friend fucked with my player."

Drew huffed out a bit of laughter. "Well, Mr. I Know Everything, you're wrong." He lowered his voice into a conspiratorial whisper. "We haven't gotten with the fucking yet."

Fitz pursed his lips and scoffed. "I walked into that one, didn't I?"

"Yeah, kinda. And really… what goes on inside my bedroom—or Lee's—is none of your business." Drew dropped his voice even lower. "Now, if you want me to talk to my men about keeping our relationship on the DL, that's another matter, and we can do that in your office. It would be best if Lee was there as well."

Shoving his hands in his pockets, Fitz turned to face Drew. "He should talk to Caitlin Cole over in PR. Hash it out with her, and she'll let me know the outcome. I trust her with this."

"I'll let him know."

Fitz nodded, then strolled off. Drew watched him go before turning his attention back to the field where Lee was jogging laps, his face a mask of concentration. Since it appeared his boyfriend wouldn't be playing for the moment, Drew dumped his cold coffee and returned to work, worry nagging him the whole way.

Drew ambled from his car to the back door of the diner. He knocked and waited, offering a smile to Katy.

"Hey, Drew. How goes?"

"Not bad. Mac in the office or on the floor?"

"Kitchen, actually. Bobby called out. Something about new meds or getting meds…" She shrugged. "He's on dish duty." Her snicker was downright evil.

"Oh girl, you are mean." They high-fived.

"I hate you, Katy!" Mac roared, cracking them both up.

She skipped off, spinning halfway and singing, "Carey's here," before she disappeared from view. Drew continued chuckling as he headed for the kitchen.

"She's got it bad," he quipped to Mac, leaning over to kiss Mac's cheek.

"Yeah, but at least we like this one."

"True that." Drew leaned against the closest wall. "I need to talk to you and Lee about us… Not us-us, but the team and us."

Mac stopped loading the dishwasher and stared at him. "Sounds ominous."

"I… don't know. Hopefully not. Lee has some decisions to make, I guess."

"Well, he texted that he had a late meeting and will be by afterward, and also mentioned needing to have a discussion."

Drew frowned as he pulled out his phone. "Did I miss a message?"

Mac shook his head. "He said he didn't want to worry you."

"Great…" Drew dragged the word out into eighteen syllables or so. "That totally backfired. Now I'm worried."

"Spectacular," Mac deadpanned, clunking a couple of plates into the washing tray. "Considering I'm in the dark regarding both of you, Lee better get here quick before I let my insecurities get the best of me."

Drew scoffed. "Like that'll ever happen."

Mac's grin was blinding. "True that." His smile disappeared, though, almost as fast as it had appeared. "Go grab yourself something to eat or drink and keep Dad company in the office. I'll join you once Lee gets here."

Giving his beau a two-fingered salute, Drew wandered off. He spent a few minutes talking to Momma Connor, Katy, and Carey before he meandered into the office to bother Ken.