Fighting For You (The Connor Family #5) Read online

  “Yes. We hired Brooke Derringer,” Graham went on.

  “Any relation to the head coach?” Hailey asked.

  “His daughter. She’s a very talented business developer. It was perfect timing. Bree left, and we had a hard time replacing her. Then Coach Derringer came to me and said his daughter was looking for a change of scenery. She’ll do great with us, I’m sure of it.”

  I was sure of it too. I couldn’t get Brooke out of my mind. Those blue eyes were branded in my memory, and so was the curve of her waist and that of her neck. I’d fantasized more than once about tilting it just right so I could have all the access I wanted.

  “She seems very competent,” I offered. I kept the part where I thought she was smoking hot to myself. Graham wouldn’t appreciate that comment.

  During dinner, I talked to Will and Paige about my schedule this week. They ran an education center that offered various trainings to people from impoverished backgrounds, especially those who were homeless. I’d shown up a few times just to bring in a fun factor, but I was looking for ways to involve myself more.

  “We’ll find something,” Paige said. I respected her a lot. She’d been the one who had the idea for the foundation and roped Will into it. My brother had been a detective with the LAPD before. I deeply believed that everyone should follow the career they wanted, but I couldn’t lie: I was relieved that Will had switched to a safer job.

  After dessert, Milo begged me to play soccer with him again. He was also preparing a surprise for Lori’s birthday, and I was his partner in crime. He still needed help with a few details, and I was always full of ideas.

  “You two look a little guilty,” Hailey commented as Milo and I got up from the table.

  “Course we do. I’m about to go be a bad influence,” I supplied.

  “I have to up my game in this department. You speak as if you were the only troublemaker.”

  I shrugged, exchanging a conspiratorial glance with Milo. “I think it’s time for you to admit I’m the head troublemaker.”

  “I vote for Uncle Jace too,” Milo said.

  Hailey narrowed her eyes at Milo and me before we headed out.

  We spoke about Lori’s party more than we practiced, and after I ordered some supplies on my phone, I noticed an unread email from Brooke. She was informing us that she’d attend the photo session next Tuesday, and that she wanted to talk to each of us, get some information prior to our one-on-one meetings.

  I sent back a short email.

  Jace: Sounds good.

  Brooke: If there’s anything you’d like to discuss in particular, let me know and I can prepare some ideas.

  I’d seen her at the club a few times, and it was clear that on the first day, she’d gone the extra mile to dress more conservatively, probably to make a good impression. The other glimpses I’d had of her, she’d been more casual: jeans and polo shirts, occasionally a skirt. She seemed to prefer keeping her hair in that tight bun, and her exposed neck turned out to be my kryptonite. Every time I glimpsed her, I wondered how it would feel to run my lips over that delicate skin. I emailed her back, trying to keep my mind out of the gutter.

  Jace: I’m tied up with something this weekend, but we can just exchange ideas on Tuesday.

  Brooke: Sure.

  Her replies were fast. Why was she still working so late? Was she still at the club, or was she at home, perhaps sitting in a comfortable chair, with a glass of wine? Coach never spoke about his family, and I wanted to know more about Brooke.

  I was looking forward to Tuesday, and even more to our one-on-one meeting.

  Chapter Three

  Brooke

  Tuesday was only my fifth day on the job, but I was full of enthusiasm. Today, I was heading out to the pitch where the team was having their photos taken for one of our sponsors. It was almost dinnertime, and my presence was not required, but my purpose for heading there was twofold. One: I wanted to get to know the players better and schedule those one-on-one meetings. And two: I really, really wanted to indulge a little, watch all those Greek gods parade around. If anyone wanted to blame me for that, they could go ahead and do it. A girl had to indulge from time to time, and what better occasion than one where she could combine business with pleasure?

  I loved my new workplace. I’d loved my old one too, but tensions had escalated to the point where I had to leave. Over the past few months, I’d been through quite a lot of changes. I didn’t just have to leave my old job, but my ex-boyfriend proved that he wasn’t the man I thought he was. Ever since, I couldn’t help but sigh with melancholy whenever I saw a couple holding hands, or I held a cuddly newborn baby. Maybe love was simply not in the cards for me.

  But hey, maybe everything did happen for a reason. If things had played out differently, I wouldn’t be here today, and the LA Lords was an exciting place. Graham Frazier was one of the sharpest men I’d met. Soccer club owners were usually also involved in other businesses to support themselves, but the LA Lords was a very profitable endeavor. The club attracted numerous sponsors and sold a lot of merchandise. Graham had now opened a restaurant as well, but from what I’d heard, it was driven by his passion for cooking and not motivated by financial gain.

  The players were already out on the field when I arrived. As the photographer called up the guys one by one, I approached the ones who were waiting their turn, keeping my iPad ready, making appointments. I’d just finished with Andrew, the captain, when I had the uncanny feeling that someone was watching me.

  As discreetly as possible, I glanced to my right and caught Jace looking at me. That look. I didn’t know if he was being charming on purpose, or if it came naturally for him, but my entire being reacted to it. I wasn’t even sure he was charming in person. While that smile deserved its own category in the swoon-worthy department, he could very well be one of those people who exuded charisma until they opened their mouth. I’d barely exchanged a few words with him. He was still waiting his turn. I promptly turned my focus on my iPad, steeling myself before walking over to him.

  “Hey, you!” he greeted jovially. “I was wondering when my turn would come.”

  “Sorry, but I knew the photographer scheduled you toward the end, and I wanted to get to the others before they left.”

  “Ah, I see. So I still have some waiting to do.”

  “I have a proposition for you. I’ll talk really quick to Mark and Luke, then circle back to you before the photographer calls you up. I won’t take much of your time. I just want to schedule that one-on-one meeting and find out if you’re looking for something in particular so I can do some recon work for you.”

  “I have an even better proposition.”

  “Oh! Okay. Let’s hear it.”

  “Wait until I’m done with the photo shoot, and then we can have that meeting tonight, over dinner.”

  “Dinner?”

  “You have plans already?” He looked at me determinedly, as if he’d convince me to override those plans, whatever they were.

  “No, but you want to spend dinner talking shop?”

  “I don’t mind. Insider tip: you can talk me into a lot of things if there’s food involved. Just ask my family.”

  He came a little closer, holding me captive in place with those gorgeous green eyes.

  “Be careful there. Who knows what you might end up signing.”

  “I’m just going to hope you won’t take advantage. Too much.”

  Right. So he was even more charming in person than I’d thought. He took another step in my direction, until he was so close that I could see the hint of a five o’clock shadow on his jaw and cheeks. How would it feel against my skin?

  Oh, no, no. I wouldn’t go there. But those green eyes were relentlessly trained on me, further encouraging my thoughts to follow that path.

  “What do you say?” he continued.

  “I won’t be able to do the recon work I mentioned.”

  “There’s still time for that. Do we have a deal?” He shoved his h
ands in his pockets, moving his weight from his heels to the front, invading my private space a little.

  “We have a deal.” I nodded before heading over to Mark and Luke. My thoughts were on Jace the entire time I spoke to them. So far, he’d done justice to his media portrayal.

  Charming? Check. Hot as all get out? Double check. Was he also the player they made him out to be?

  As soon as the photographer announced the session was over, Jace walked to me.

  “All yours,” he announced, flashing me a crooked smile, looking even more breathtaking. Did this man ever not smile?

  “I saw a Chinese restaurant just around the corner when I came here.”

  “Let’s go there. Lead the way.”

  The restaurant was large, and we found an empty table all the way in the back. The place was decorated with Chinese motifs. Cute miniature dragons surrounded us, and the air was thick with various delicious smells.

  As soon as we ordered, I told him, “So, Jace, as I said, this meeting is about finding out what you’re looking for, if you have any specific wishes—types of endorsements you want to score or to avoid. I’ve looked at your existing workload, and you’re booked solid, but you’re also the Lords’ most bankable player. I assume you want to take advantage.”

  “You’re right about that. This career won’t last forever, and this claim to fame will last even less. I’m not kidding myself that anyone is going to chase me in a few years’ time.”

  I liked that he was down-to-earth and realistic. Judging by his easygoing nature, I’d figured he’d be easily swept up by his success. I was glad that I’d been wrong.

  “Glad to hear we’re on the same page. Anything you’d rather not book? I’m just going to take my iPad out and write everything down so I have a record of the conversation.”

  Jace pressed his lips together as if he was trying to suppress a smile. That was a first.

  “What’s that?” I inquired.

  “What?”

  “You look like you’re trying not to laugh at me.”

  “You’re very formal.”

  I blinked, confused. “This is work. Of course, I’m formal.”

  And there he went again—first trying to suppress a smile, then shaking his head. I crossed and uncrossed my legs under the table, opening up a new note on my iPad.

  “Okay. So, any types of sponsorships you’d rather not do?”

  “I’m open to pretty much everything, but I’d rather not take off my clothes.”

  I looked up in surprise. “But you did that for the calendar.”

  “That’s a club deal, not an individual one.”

  “And you appear shirtless in most of the campaign pictures for Valentina’s Laboratories.”

  “You looked those up?”

  Apparently Jace was done trying to suppress a laugh. He quirked up the corners of his mouth in a smile I could only describe as... challenging. It threw me off. I blushed but kept eye contact.

  “Of course I did. For research.”

  “You’re very thorough.” He tilted his head, studying me. “Which one do you like best?”

  There was one where he looked particularly delectable, as if he’d just walked out of a shower, but hell would freeze over before I’d admit that.

  Instead, I said in a casual tone, “I haven’t looked at them that closely.”

  Jace wiggled his eyebrows. Shit. He knew I was bluffing. Before he had a chance to call me out on it, I asked, “But, circling back to our topic, why the sudden change of mind?”

  “It’s not that I’ve changed my mind. I’ve always had that rule, but I make exceptions. Valentina’s Laboratories is owned by my sister—Valentina Connor.”

  “I didn’t know that,” I exclaimed. “It wasn’t anywhere in the campaign details, and as you mentioned... I’m thorough in my research.”

  “Val and I thought it best not to publicize the family ties.”

  “Right. I can understand that. And it’s an ongoing campaign, right?”

  “Yes. Helps my sister, makes my fans happy. Why not?”

  As I made a note of the ongoing nature of the campaign, I barely refrained from asking any personal questions. I wanted to know more about Jace the man than Jace the MVP.

  “I think that takes out any underwear ads. Those almost always require you to take off clothes.”

  I could understand him not wanting to be objectified, but the thought of billboards of a shirtless Jace was making me very happy indeed. To be honest, he wasn’t any less impressive even with clothes on. His cotton shirt did nothing to hide his muscles—it just showed off how extensively he trained.

  “That’s correct. I did turn down three offers.”

  “Noted. How do you feel about travel? If any sponsorship opportunities require you to fly to another location for a few days, would you be on board with that?”

  “Sure, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the games. I do however have a standing dinner with my family on Friday, so I’d prefer to be here on Fridays. I’m already missing dinners when I’m away for a game.”

  “Wow, every Friday, huh? Nice.”

  We were veering into personal territory, but I couldn’t help myself. Before, I’d felt as if I knew him because I’d done my homework on all players. But now I felt as if I was discovering a whole new side of Jace, and I wanted to know more.

  He nodded. “My sister Val started the tradition a few years back, insisting all six of us had to meet once a week to catch up. Now more than half are married. Some even have kids. It’s an extremely loud affair but also a lot of fun. I’d rather not miss out, but I think I could always leave late at night on Fridays if anyone wants me over the weekend.”

  “I’ll make sure to coordinate everything this way.”

  “Thanks.”

  I was dying to know more, but I bit back the impulse. Right, back to work. There wasn’t any room for personal information here. I didn’t want to be friends with any player. That was something Daddy always said. It was good to be friendly with them, but not friends, because that could make him less objective.

  In my case, it was not about being objective. I’d work equally hard to get the best opportunities for every player, no matter if he was a decent person or a jackass. But for the first time in my career, I wanted to apply Dad’s credo. He was very good at separating the personal and the professional.

  I was just the opposite, which had cost me a lot. My previous job was at a fashion magazine. I’d become best friends with the founder, Cami. My boyfriend, Noah, had also worked with us.

  When the opportunity to expand the business in London popped up, Cami suggested the three of us move away. I couldn’t.

  My family was going through a rough time: Dad had had a heart attack and required doting and attention (he tried to deny it, but I could be a pest). My sister Franci was going through a divorce. Mom had moved away after divorcing Dad years ago, and I could tell Franci and especially Dad needed me.

  Cami and Noah grudgingly agreed that it made sense for me to remain in LA for a while, so I could run things here, but after the two of them moved away, it was as if they suddenly didn’t want me to be part of the company anymore. They overturned every decision I made, dismissed every proposal I brought to the table. The friction between the three of us reached an all-time high when Noah broke up with me. It all came out of the blue. I was making plans for moving to London in about half a year, after my Dad and Franci were better, and Noah informed that he didn’t see our relationship progressing anywhere. In fact, he wasn’t seeing a future for us anymore.

  My friendship with Cami had imploded at the same time, so I couldn’t turn to my best friend for support.

  Despite watching my parents’ marriage disintegrate as I grew up, I’d dreamed about having a family of my own, but after the break-up, that changed.

  Since leaving the magazine, I’d often wondered if things would have turned out differently if I hadn’t been personally invested in everything.
br />   Now I wanted to be on good terms with everyone, if possible, but that was it. Which was why I didn’t ask Jace to expand on the family dinners. Instead, I had to proceed with some uncomfortable questions.

  “Are any of the heartbreaker rumors true? Sponsors always ask. I can tell them I have no info, but they won’t buy it. Anyway, I don’t think it would work against you as long as you don’t get involved in any scandals. The bad-boy angle works for some.”

  “Including for you?” The challenging smile was back. It dazzled me, but I didn’t lose my wits this time. Progress.

  “Way to avoid an uncomfortable question.”

  “I’m not avoiding anything. I just want to know more about you.”

  Jace leaned a little over the table, training his gaze on my mouth. My breath caught. I became aware that his legs were touching mine under the table, and the contact singed me.

  “But this is all about me getting as much info on you as possible. It’s a working dinner.” I held up my iPad like a shield. Jace leaned back in his chair, pinning me with those sinful green eyes. His gaze dropped to my neck just for a fraction of a second. Oh, God, my skin there tingled, as if he’d touched it. As if he’d kissed it.

  “No,” he said softly.

  “What?”

  “You never said it’s a working dinner. Since we hadn’t clarified that, I have green light to consider this dinner between friends.”

  That gave me pause. I lowered my iPad, trying to decide on the best way to formulate the next words. Hmm...how did I make boundaries clear without upsetting this sexy god? I didn’t want to be rude.

  “Jace, I might not have clarified, but this is a working dinner. I’m sure you know Dad’s rule about friendly versus friends.”

  “I do.”

  “Well, I do my best to follow it as well.”

  Surprisingly, Jace said nothing. Up until then, he’d had a reply for everything. Thankfully, our dinner was delivered a few minutes later, and the sound of cutlery clanking against the plate filled the awkward silence. Way to make this smooth sailing! I didn’t pussyfoot around, but clearly I’d come on too strong. I hadn’t wanted to offend or upset Jace.