Page 67 of Sweet Redemption

“You realize you’re a sucker, right?” the shithead laughs the way only family can.

“Says the man playing for his daddy,” I tease and lean my head against his shoulder. “Listen, it’s just a few more weeks while I get things in place, and it’s giving me time to look into my own options too.”

“Oh yeah? And what kind of options are we talking about? Because seriously, I heard that strip club in the city is hiring⁠—”

I throw my elbow back into his stomach and step out of the way as he doubles over.

“That’s my girl,” Cohen’s dad cheers as he stops next to me and drops a kiss on my head like I’m seven instead of twenty-seven. “Do you need help with any of these idiots, Serena?”

“Thanks for the offer, Uncle Jace. But I think we’re pretty much done here. Dinner will be served in Conference Room A at seven for anyone who wants it. And you and Coach Kane as well as the rest of the staff will have access to Conference Rooms B and C for anything you need. Just call Kaleigh or me if you need anything.”

“Are you coming back down for dinner?” he asks, his cool blue eyes so similar to Dad’s, it’s almost eerie.

“Do I have to?” I tease, knowing the answer before he nods. “Guess I’ll see you at seven.”

Kaleigh joins me as I make my way over to the bank of elevators, my rolling suitcase at my side and my favorite Burberry bag sitting on top. I’m not the biggest brand whore in the family, but shoes and bags might be a bit of a weakness.

I blame my mother.

“Okay,” Kaleigh says with a little shake in her voice. “Everyone is present and accounted for, and they all have their keys and their itineraries.” She looks back down at the clipboard before handing it to me. “I think that’s everything.”

“First away game?” I ask.

I knew Teags hired a new assistant but don’t know Kaleigh the way some of my cousins do.

“Oh, God. Is it that obvious?” She covers her face, and I smile.

“Not at all. You’re doing great. These guys are enough to make anyone a little nervous. Don’t stress. You used to work for Dillan Ryan at the bookstore in town, right?”

Her eyes dart to the last group of players boarding the elevators. She hesitates while the doors close, then hits the up button again, calling for another elevator for us. “Technically, I still do.”

“What made you want to work with the Revolution?” I ask, genuinely intrigued. “I’d think the team is a bit of a stretch from what you’re doing at Hopeless Romantics.”

One shoulder lifts and drops as Hendrix, Leo, Nixon, and Ares all walk over together. “I’d been living with my sister, helping her with her kids. But she’s found a new man and a new place to live. Not that it’ll last. They never do. But that left me either needing to find a second job or needing to find a smaller place. So I applied with a temp company, and they placed me here.” She looks nervously over at the guys, and I fight the urge to say, Same girl, same. “You pay better than the bookshop. But I love the bookshop. So I guess I really don’t know what the heck I’m doing just yet.”

“Yeah.” My smile is warm and genuine as I cringe and try to focus on her and not the man currently staring at me. “I know the feeling.”

Olivia

Hey. How are you making out?

Serena

Well, if you mean am I a basket case rocking in the corner because I shit you not, Hendrix is sharing the room directly across the hall from me with Leo, then I guess I’m making out okay.

Olivia

What’s your current definition of okay?

Serena

There’s no rocking.

Olivia

It’s a start.

Serena