Sage

Sage

“So, Declan talked to your leasing manager and got him to okay a more secure door. It’s steel, not wood, and it has three locks just in case,” Vi says through the speakers of my car.

“Jesus. You guys didn’t have to go that hard. It’s not that big of a deal.”

“Someone broke into your home, destroyed all of your personal items. It’s a huge deal. You’re like the baby sister I always wanted, and we aren’t letting you stay there until we know you’re completely safe. Any word from the police?”

“Nope,” I say shortly as I turn into the training center parking lot. Not like I was expecting to hear back.

“That’s absolutely ridiculous. I’ll have Declan make some calls and—”

“And what? Lay out the chief of police?” I tease.

“If that’s what it takes,” Vi sasses, a slight southern twang tinging her words. They were only down in Knoxville for a year or so, but apparently that’s all it took for her to pick up the barest hint of an accent.

“I appreciate it, but you guys have done too much already. I’ll be fine, promise.”

“I know you will, because we are all going to make sure of it. Almost all of the repairs are done on the inside, just waiting for a new countertop for the bathroom to come in and the glass for your windows. How are you surviving at Trevor’s? I know you two don’t get along the best. You know you’re more than welcome at any one of our houses.”

“It’s fine. We’ve come to an understanding.”

“Really?”

“Mhmm,” I smirk, thinking about how we understood each other all over the kitchen island this morning.

“Well, good. Hopefully you’ll be back in your place by next week.”

“It’s cool. We have away games for the next two weekends, so I’ll be traveling so much it won’t matter.”

“Ugh, I forgot. I hate that there are travel restrictions in the third trimester.”

“For good reason. No one wants to watch you give birth thirty thousand feet in the air, no offense,” I laugh.

“Yeah, well if I have to give birth when he’s gone, I’ll make him grovel for a year at least.”

“With the way that man worships the ground you walk on, I have no doubt he’d do so willingly.”

She sighs dreamily into the phone, a sound that may be cute to some, but has me feeling nauseous almost instantly.

“Alright, lover girl, I have to get to work. Thank you guys again. I know we haven’t known each other for long, but I appreciate everything you all have done for me.”

“Time is irrelevant. You’re one of us, babe. Have a good day!” she says before hanging up.

I smile softly before pocketing my phone as I grab my camera and purse. After locking my car, I make my way up to the front doors where I see a few of the coaching staff. I nod to all of them as I snake my way down the halls before taking up my spot where I’ll be filming today. The last video I did about everyone’s favorite Taylor Swift song went viral, so I decided to do some similar content to keep the momentum going.

I’m just getting my camera turned on and ready when I hear a voice guaranteed to put me into a shit mood.

“Sage, get in here!” Dad barks from outside his office down the hall.

My hands tighten to fists as I slowly set my things down and make my way to his office. When I step inside, he’s leaning against the desk with his arms folded across his chest and that same disappointed glare I’ve become so accustomed to, especially since I came back to Seattle.

“What’s up, Coach?” I ask as I hang back in the doorway, hoping he’ll make whatever it is quick so I can get the fuck away from him.

It’s easy to forget how deep your daddy issues are when you are hundreds of miles away. When you’re less than a hundred feet away is another story.

“What’s up?” he scoffs. “I just got off the phone with the landlord of your apartment building. Said you’ve been having a ton of work done to the place because of a break-in?”

I shrug and look down at my already chipping nail polish. “Yeah, they trashed my place.”

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?” he asks, the barest amount of hurt bleeding through his words.

Looking up, I frown at him as I cross my arms over my chest.

“I didn’t think you’d care.”

He rolls his eyes. “Of course I care. I’m the one who put the security deposit down on the place.”

I let out a bitter laugh as I shake my head.

“God forbid the millionaire NFL coach loses out on a two thousand dollar security deposit when thugs break into his daughter’s apartment and stab, smash, and destroy every single possession she ever had.”

Dad frowns at that, pausing for a minute before he speaks.

“They ruined everything? Do you need money to replace some of it?”

“No, I don’t. Thanks, though,” I huff.

“Well maybe you’ll learn your lesson about locking your door. You have to start taking some responsibility for your life, Sage.”

I can’t help but scoff in disgust before I turn on my heel, storming out of his office. He calls out to me, but I don’t give a fuck what he has to say. He’s a self-righteous prick who was a shit dad and an even shittier person.

A few of the players start walking down the hall, and I do my best to shake off my pissy attitude, though even I can hear that I don’t do a good job.

“What other sport could you go pro in besides football?” I ask Slater and Declan as they walk in.

“Baseball for sure. My wife says I have the butt for it,” Slater winks at the camera before turning around and shaking his ass.

That earns a half laugh from me as Declan answers.

“Same.”

A few of the other guys come in saying things like basketball and soccer. Johnson even says ballet. Trevor walks in next, giving me a devilish grin as he swaggers down the hall.

“What’s the question of the day, Little Raven?”

“What other sport could you go pro in besides football?”

“Can’t imagine there isn’t anything I couldn’t do. I’ve been told I’m really good with my hands,” he winks, causing me to bite back my growing smile.

“Alright, move it along, Michaels,” I say as a few others come down the hallway.

When I get a few more players recorded, I pack up my things and get ready to go back to Trevor’s so I can work on it there. As I go to stand, I turn, walking straight into the wall. Or at least I thought it was a wall. Instead, I look up to see Jackson’s blinding white smile as his tattooed cover hand grips my hip to right my balance.

“Easy, babygirl. Didn’t mean to startle you,” he says with a wolfish smile.

“Mhmm, I’m sure not,” I say as I take a step out of his reach, smirking at him as I do.

His lip ring is still in, and I watch as his tongue plays with it almost deliberately like he’s trying to capture my attention before he closes the distance between us again, cupping my hip with one hand as he leans forward.

“Let me take you out tonight. I’ve been patient enough, haven’t I?”

I let out a laugh as I tip my head back.

“Patient? You? Never. Bro, you’re basically the definition of a simp,” I tease.

He grins as he shrugs his shoulders.

“With an ass like yours, how could I not be?”

I twist up my mouth as I nod.

“Got a point there.”

Jackson laughs as I smirk.

“Fine. Where am I meeting you?” I relent.

Excitement fills his eyes as his smile widens.

“I can pick you up.”

“Nah, I like to keep my options open in case I want to ditch you.”

“Ouch,” he laughs. “Meet me at Blackwoods. Nine o’ clock.”

Flashes of the last time I went to Blackwoods dance in my head. That was a good night, despite the company. Let’s hope it’ll be even better with someone that’s a little more aligned with my usual type. Besides, it’s about time I catch and release him anyway.

“Mmm, make it eight. You’re gonna have to at least buy me dinner before I put out, Donatello.”

“Whatever you want,” he smiles with a husky lilt to his voice as his face comes closer to mine, so close I feel the cool metal of his lip ring brush against my skin.

Knowing that it’s better to make him wait, I pull away, giving him a Cheshire-level smile before turning without a word and heading to my car.

Always keep them wanting more.