Page 11 of When He Plays

“All right, fine.” Jeez. “Don’t get your arm broken in a dumbass cage fight. That’s more.”

“Boss…”

Logan looked at his empty wrist. His favorite sign for I’m-done. “I have things to do.”

“There’s no watch there, boss,” Jake mumbled.

“I still have things to do. Got a big high roller game scheduled tonight and believe me when I say that those high rollers can be total pricks.” Talk about prima donnas. But the stakes were going to be killer, and Logan fully intended to wipe them all out because he would be playing in that particular game, too. “Here’s some advice for you.”

Jake was all eyes as he seemed to focus avidly on Logan.

“Keep your nose clean and stop trying to sweep up your father’s mess. He’s a grown man. At some point, we all have to take responsibility for ourselves.”

Jake threw himself at Logan. Hugged him tight. “I will repay you.”

“Oh, hell, now you’re clinging.” Great. Awkward. “Get the fuck out. Go throw some balls or something. Your arm doesn’t just warm up itself.”

For a moment, Jake hugged him tighter. Voice low, gruff, Jake rasped, “Nobody believed in me until you.”

Logan pushed him back. Stared straight at the kid. “More advice is incoming. Remember this.”

Jake nodded.

“You don’t need other people to believe in you. You have to believe in yourself. What you think and what you do? That’s what matters. You. Not them. Now, seriously, get out of here. Get warmed up and kick ass at the tryout.”

Jake’s grin stretched from ear to ear. He bounded for the door. “I will not disappoint you! I swear, I won’t!”

Did you miss what I just said? It’s not about me. It’s about you.

The door shut behind Jake.

Silence.

Then…

Tap, tap, tap. Charlotte’s heels. Coming closer.

He put his hands behind him on the surface of the desk. The better to lean back and the better not to grab her because she was moving to stand right in front of him. Her delectable scent reached out to him.

Passion and Candy.

Yes, please.

Behind the lenses of her glasses, her gaze assessed him. “What was that?”

“It was a young idiot named Jake.”

One eyebrow crooked. “I got that his name was Jake. I meant…” A long-suffering sigh. “Why did you just help him? For someone who claims to not care if the world burns down while you light matches and dance around the fire, I’m pretty sure you just committed a good deed.”

“Take it back,” he said instantly. “Right now.”

She shook her head.

“Not cool, spy lady. Not cool.”

Her head whipped around as she glanced over her shoulder. As if she expected someone to be there. Someone who’d heard his words.

Logan laughed. “No worries, it’s just us.”