by C. Morgan
I pulled up the schedule I had gone over with her. It was only a month until my schedule got really crazy. Training was already happening, but it wasn’t until August that my services would be needed. Then it was traveling with the team for preseason games.
Once the official season started, it would be like getting caught up in a whirlwind. I hoped Trinity was ready for the jet-set lifestyle. I probably should have warned her about how crazy things could get.
Something told me she was up for the challenge.
Chapter 9
Trinity
I changed my outfit three times before I finally settled on my usual dark slacks, plain white button-up and my black pumps. I had no idea how much I was going to be on my feet. I didn’t know if I was going to be on the move or sitting behind a desk. Considering my orientation had been at his house rather than the clinic, I didn’t even know if I was supposed to go in through the front door or the back. I felt unprepared. I didn’t even know how much I was making. I told myself it didn’t matter. A job was a job, and I would make it work.
I put on a pale shade of lipstick and grabbed my purse. I had plenty of time. I was not going to be late on my first day. I was driving today. I couldn’t afford to risk a slip and fall in the shoes I was wearing. My back was finally on the mend after his thorough massage Saturday. I wasn’t going to do anything to mess it up.
Before I went off to my new job, I was meeting Naya for coffee at my usual place. The same place I had ran into Ryker. I wanted to tell her in person about the job. I wanted to assure her I was not going to mess things up for her and Ryan. Ryker and I were a completely separate entity, and we would not let things get ugly and risk my friendship with her. Because ultimately, I was the odd man out. The three of them were officially a family. I was just the best friend.
I walked into the coffee shop, watching every step. I didn’t know if the marble thing was a one-off or if I could expect more tripping hazards. I ordered my coffee and one for Naya. I felt much better about spending the ten bucks now that I knew I had money coming in. I sat down at a table and sipped my coffee. It was crazy that a week without a job had left me feeling disconnected from the world I knew. When I got my coffee last week, I realized I had nowhere to go. The hustle and bustle of the coffee shop around me was filled with people rushing to their jobs, playdates and business meetings. I was the lone wolf sitting at the table with nothing to do and nowhere to go.
It felt good to be one of the crowd once again. I was lost in thought about what my new job was going to be like when I heard the door open. My head popped up. Naya walked into the coffee shop with a glow around her. She looked like the sun. She radiated energy and happiness. The suntan covering her face and bare arms screamed tropical vacation.
I jumped up as she rushed toward me. “Oh my god!” I squealed as we embraced. “You’re back! I’ve missed you.” I didn’t care that we were making a scene. It was so good to see her again. I felt like I’d been missing my other half, and to have her back was amazing.
“Sit, sit,” she said.
“How was it?” I asked her. “You look gorgeous.”
“It was so amazing. I loved every minute of it. I did not want to come back. I mean, I missed you and everyone, but that beach was so amazing. And the sun.”
“You have a nice tan.”
“I spent a lot of time doing nothing but soaking up the sun. It was such a nice break after the craziness of the wedding.”
“I bet.”
“What about you? Did you get any time to relax?”
I looked down at my coffee. “I have to tell you something. Actually, a couple of things.”
“If you’re going to tell me you slept with Ryker, I already know. You’re a big girl and you can make these decisions all by yourself. I don’t blame you. He’s handsome and charming. It happens. You deserved to blow off a little steam.”
“I did do that,” I said with a nod. “I also got fired.”
“What? When?”
I blew out a breath. “I found out while I was at the wedding.”
“Oh my god! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it was your wedding. I was not about to dump that in your lap.”
“Oh my gosh,” she exclaimed. “I had no idea. I’m so sorry. Why? You loved that job, and you did it so well.”
“They downsized and my job as an assistant was not a priority.”
“Didn’t you tell me you were going to work this morning?” she asked with confusion.
“I did. I start my new job today.”
She grinned and drank from her cup. “That is awesome. Obviously, you’d find a job quickly. What are you going to be doing now?”
This was the moment of truth. I hoped she wasn’t going to be upset with me. “I’m going to be an assistant. For Ryker.”
She blinked several times. “Ryker who?”
“Ryker Fallon,” I confirmed.
“You’re going to work for Ryker?”
“Yes. Please, before you say anything, you have to know I’m taking this seriously. I am not going to mess it up. We both agree this is strictly professional. We are not going to do what we did again.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes. We’re kind of just pretending it never happened. At least that’s my approach. I won’t let this come between me and you or Ryan and Ryker. I know this could end badly, but I’m committed to making this work. If there is any kind of drama, I will quit.”
She held up her hands. “This is up to you. I am just glad you have a job. You are a big girl.”
“Thank you. I felt really guilty taking the job.”
“Why?”
“Because you married into the family. You are happy. I don’t want to do anything that threatens your happiness.”
She gave a lighthearted laugh. “Girl, you could not threaten my happiness. I am too happy.”
“Okay. Good. I promise I will be on my best behavior with him.”
“If he gets out of line, tell me and I’ll sick Ryan on him.”
I laughed and shook my head. “That is exactly what can’t happen. We need a wall between me working with him and our personal relationship. I want to be able to come over for a barbecue without there being tension between me and Ryan which will lead to tension between me and you.”
“Trust me, Ryan knows his brother. He isn’t going to hold anything against you.”
“Thank you. I don’t want to cause any ripples.”
“It’s all good.”
I waved a hand. “All right, tell me about the honeymoon.”
Her face lit up. I listened to her talk about her love for her man and their lazy days in bed together. I envied her and wondered if I would ever get that opportunity. It was doubtful my honeymoon would be spent in the Maldives, but I liked the idea of just being with my soulmate.
“I’m glad you are back,” I told her as we both stood to leave. “I will check in with you in a couple of days. I’m sure you have a ton of unpacking to do.”
“Have fun with the job. I think you are going to do well. Let me know how it’s going. It’s going to be weird not seeing you every night.”
“But you are going to see your husband. I don’t think I can compete with that.”
“I’ll text you. Good luck.”
I gave her a quick hug and walked to my car. I was suddenly nervous. I felt confident, and I felt ready, but I also felt a little hesitant. What if he changed his mind? I parked my car a few spots away from his. I went around the building to go in the front. I had never actually seen the front lobby. I walked in and the first thing I felt was tranquility. There was soft music playing and a water feature that added a calming feel. The chairs looked comfy, nothing like the standard waiting-room chairs that hurt your back.
“Hello,” a pretty blonde said from behind a tall desk. “Do you have an appointment?”
“I’m Trinity Johnson,” I said. “I’m Dr. Fallon’s new assistant.”
/> “Oh!” she said. “Hi! He told me you would be in. I wasn’t expecting you to come through the front.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know there was an employee entrance. I wanted to check the place out a bit.”
She waved a hand. “No worries. I’m Rachel by the way. I’ll take you back. He’s in his office.”
“Great,” I said and followed her through a door that led to a hallway with rooms along one side. This part, I remembered. She rounded a corner and knocked on a door.
“Come in,” I heard Ryker call out.
Rachel opened the door. “Dr. Fallon, Trinity is here.”
I stepped in behind her. He was sitting at his desk with a pen in hand. “Hey!” he said with a smile. “Thanks, Rachel.”
Then it was just the two of us. “I came in through the front,” I blurted out.
“That’s fine.”
“I wasn’t sure where I should park or if there is a code for the back door.” My nerves were getting the best of me.
“Have a seat,” he said and gestured to one of the chairs.
I sat down with my bag in my lap. “Am I late?”
“No, I’m early. I don’t expect you to come in with me. I tend to be an early bird.”
“If you need me in early, I’ll be in. I don’t mind.”
“We’ll work it out. Naya and Ryan are back.”
I nodded. “I had coffee with Naya this morning. I told her about my new job.”
“And? Was she upset about it?”
“No, not at all.”
“Good. Did you go over the schedule for the day?”
I nodded. “I did. You are working at the clinic this week, right?”
“Yes.”
“And I will need to do what? Am I your secretary?”
“No, no. I have the office manager that does that. You don’t want to step on her toes.”
“Noted. What do you need me to do?”
We spent the next five minutes going over my job duties for the day. It all seemed easy. Too easy. I worried I would get bored.
“I promise you, this is the calm before the storm. Next month is when things get wild. I probably won’t need you forty hours a week right now, but there will be future weeks with eighty hours on the job.”
“This isn’t fulltime?” I asked.
He smiled. “It’s a salaried position. You’ll be paid for the full week.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“I have an appointment. You’re free to work in here. I need those forms from the players organized into their files if you could do that. I’m sorry, but the team just sends me one big envelope. You’ll need to scan and put them into the digital files.”
I nodded and jotted down what he was saying. I couldn’t screw up. This was important. “Got it.”
He got up from his chair and looked down at me. “You’re going to do fine. I have no doubt in my mind we will work well together.”
“Thank you. I’m looking forward to learning something new.” He walked to the door and then I remembered my last question. “Um, what should I call you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do I call you Dr. Fallon?”
He laughed. “No. Ryker works. Rachel always calls me Dr. Fallon. You don’t need to. I prefer you call me Ryker.”
“Got it.”
He left me alone in the office. I let out a long breath. I had a job. This was good. Now it was time to get busy. I picked up the thick envelope and glanced inside.
It was going to be daunting, but I could do it.
Chapter 10
Ryker
I walked into the club and looked around. It wasn’t the typical dance club. It was a members’ only place that could be just about anything a guy wanted it to be. It could be a pickup bar. It could be a place to sit and chill alone with a drink without anyone bothering you or it could be a place to grab a drink with your significant other.
Or your brother.
Ryan was staring at his phone and talking. I assumed he was on a video call with Naya, judging by the goofy look on his face.
“Should I give you a minute alone?” I asked him.
He looked up and grinned. “I’ll see you soon, babe. I love you.” He put the phone down and still had the same goofy smile on his face.
“I think you’ve caught some kind of horrible disease,” I told him.
“What? Why?”
“You look weird.”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
“It is. I think. Did you enjoy your vacation from life?”
“I did. I’m already planning my next vacation.”
I ordered a drink from the waitress and turned my attention back to him. “It’s really that good, huh?”
The same big smile was still plastered on his face. “It is that good. It’s amazing. I feel like it can only get better. I love spending time with her. I’m taking a big step back at the company. I don’t want to work all the time. I want to spend as much time with her as I can.”
“You’re taking a step back?” I asked with surprise. “You’ve ruled your company with an iron fist for a long time. Are you sure it can sustain you being gone?”
“Yes. I’m sure of it. I’m promoting a few people and hiring more accountants and overseers. I don’t want to spend sixty hours a week running the place. I might even sell it. I don’t know yet.”
My mouth dropped open. “Are you serious? You love what you do.”
“I used to. I used to love traveling the country looking for handmade furniture my customers would never be able to get anywhere else. Now I feel like I’m always stuck putting out fires in the stores. I don’t get to do the handpicking anymore. I want to get back to doing it, which means I give up the managing and day-to-day operations and just take off. I want to do a little traveling and Naya has agreed to go with me. We’re going to do it now before we have a kid.”
I was mid-drink when he dropped that little bombshell. “A kid? What the hell? You’ve been married five minutes. Is this some kind of race to get it all done? If you’re trying to beat me, trust me, you’ve got time. This is one thing you are going to win. Hands down, it’s all yours. I am not competing with you in this.”
“This is probably going to come as a surprise, but this has nothing to do with you. Naya and I both want a big family. There’s no time like the present to get started on that goal.”
“But you just got married!” I repeated. “Don’t you want to just spend some time with each other before you add a kid to the mix?”
“I’m not sure how well you paid attention to the birds and the bees lecture, but the babies don’t pop out overnight. They take a while to cook. We’ll have a year together probably.”
“All right, if that’s what you want, you do you.”
“I plan on it. So, what’s this deal with Trinity? You hired a woman you slept with? Isn’t that a conflict of interest?”
“I’m not a judge,” I said dryly. “It’s working out well. Yesterday was her first day and she did great. She is organized. I walked into my office today and I discovered I had a desk underneath all my paperwork. She organized my team files and has already made my life easier. It’s going to be good.”
I noticed him checking his phone.
“Why are you even out?” I asked him.
“What?”
“Clearly, you are more interested in your wife than me. Why’d you agree to come out?”
“Because she told me to.”
I smirked. “You already drove her crazy?”
“She is unpacking and didn’t want me to bother her. I agreed to come out for a drink with you and then I can go home.”
“Gee, thanks for deigning to spend some time with me.”
“I really came out just to make sure you didn’t pick up any more of Naya’s friends.”
“Very funny. Is she pissed about that?”
He shook his head. “No. It would be an issue if Trinity had an issue with it.”<
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“Good. I’ll behave.”
My eyes roamed around the bar. There were a few attractive women that appeared to be looking for a little afterwork fun. I thought that was what I was looking for, but now, not so much. None of them quite piqued my interest.
“What was that about anyway?” he asked.
“What?”
“You and Trinity. She’s not really your typical woman.”
“Um, she’s got all the right parts.”
“You know what I mean,” he said. “You tend to have a type and she does not look like any of the women you’ve been with.”
“I wasn’t necessarily looking for anything. It just happened. I don’t regret it.”
“She’s a good woman,” he said and suddenly looked serious. “Please handle her with care. It’s not my place to tell you her story, but Trinity has not had it easy. She doesn’t date a lot. I like her.”
“I’m not doing anything,” I said defensively. “I gave her a job because she was down on her luck.”
“Okay, I believe you, but Naya worries about her friend, and I can’t have my wife and the mother to my future children worried all the time.”
“I got it. We’re working together. I’m not trying to kick up a relationship or have a fling or an affair or whatever you want to call it. One time at a wedding doesn’t mean our own wedding bells are going to be ringing. Do you know how many weddings I’ve been to that I haven’t hooked up at?”
“I’m afraid to know.”
“None. Zero. That’s what single guys do. Weddings are all about hooking up. I think ladies see their friend getting married and it occurs to them they are single. It’s the best aphrodisiac.”
He gave me a strange look. “I’ve been to several weddings and I have never once hooked up.”
“You were doing it wrong.”
He smirked. “I’m glad I was.”
“Have you talked to Mom or Dad?”
He slowly shook his head. “I got a text from Mom yesterday. Said she was having a great time and Dad was doing a lot of wine tasting.”