Playing to Win (The Players)

I enter the social media headquarters Monday afternoon to find Marilee waiting inside, Gwen and Eric nowhere to be found.

“Hello, Ruby.” She rises to her feet, her expression serious.

I stop in the open doorway, my fingers clutched tight around my backpack strap. “Uh, hi.”

“Do you have a moment so we can talk?”

“Sure.” My stomach churns and I try to swallow but my mouth is too dry. “Is everything okay?”

Marilee doesn’t respond to my question. “Let’s go chat in Jim Williamson’s office, all right?”

My advisor. I haven’t seen that guy in weeks. Months even.

This is…this is serious. Shit.

Did someone find out about me and Ace?

God, I think I might…cry.

Or puke.

Take your pick.

I follow Marilee to Williamson’s office where he’s waiting, his expression grim as I settle into a chair across from his desk, Marilee to my right. I remember how jovial he was when I first met him. How enthusiastic he was to have me be a part of the athletic department.

Now he looks like he’s just arrived at my funeral.

“We’ll just cut to the chase,” Jim says, leaning forward and resting his forearms on top of his desk. “It’s been brought to our attention that you’re seeing Ace Townsend.”

I blink at him, the denial on the tip of my tongue. Instead, my shoulders sag and I lean back in my chair. “It’s true.”

Jim frowns. Glances over at Marilee before returning his gaze to me. “It is?”

Oh God, was this a test? If I’d denied it, would it all be swept under the rug and forgotten?

I wouldn’t forget. This has been torture, pretending we’re not involved. Sneaking around. Meeting each other at night, always alone, rarely hanging out with anyone else. We can’t even be friends because the athletic department gets suspicious and people are always watching.

It’s ridiculous. I’m tired of it.

“Yes.” I blow out a breath. Throw up my hands. “It’s all true. Ace and I are together. We’re boyfriend and girlfriend.”

“We have a strict policy that anyone on the social media team cannot date an athlete,” Marilee starts, her voice stern. “You signed the agreement.”

“I know.”

“Your position will have to be terminated.”

I close my eyes for the briefest moment, hating the idea of losing my job. Of not being able to work with Eric and Gwen anymore. I’m going to miss them. I’m going to miss making silly content and laughing with Gwen. She’s become one of my closest friends and I adore her. I care about Eric too. They make a great couple and witnessing their relationship grow has been fun.

I’m tempted to ask why they can be together and Ace and I can’t, but I don’t want to get them in trouble either so I remain quiet.

“Do you understand why we have to do this? Becoming involved with an athlete while you’re working for the athletic department has the potential to make things—sticky if the relationship doesn’t work out. We can’t put the department’s reputation at risk. Or the players’,” Jim explains.

“Right but who cares what happens to the person on the social media team though. They’re just collateral damage,” I say bitterly, jumping to my feet. “Can I go now?”

“Do you have any belongings in the office here?” Marilee asks me.

Probably, but I don’t want to go back there and get it. Not with Marilee hovering over me and making sure I’m not stealing anything or whatever.

Not that she would actually do that, but maybe? I feel like a criminal enough.

Just because I fell in love with the guy. This is seriously so unfair.

“We care about you too, Ruby. We’re just watching out for you,” Marilee says, and when I spot Jim’s sympathetic nod of agreement, I’m tempted to lash out. Tell them both they can shove their opinions up their asses and march out of this stupid office with all of his trophies and photos. Holding on to the glory days like a pathetic loser.

But I do none of that. I don’t want to look like an asshole. And I don’t think Jim Williamson is a pathetic loser. That’s just my anger and frustration talking.

“Can I ask a question?”

They both share a look before they nod in tandem.

“How did you find out? About me and Ace?”

“There’s—speculation online,” Marilee admits.

I gape at her. “What?”

“One of the broadcast channels caught Ace slapping you on the as—backside on the sidelines during the game.”

Oh God. I remember that slap. I even remember worrying someone might have noticed it.

I didn’t expect it to get filmed.

“And considering you’re the daughter of Owen Maguire and the sister of Knox, the public knows who you are. So there’s been speculation,” Marilee continues.

“And anonymous reports that the two of you are together,” Jim adds. “We’ve received a few emails about the two of you over the last month or so.”

People out there still ratting us out. Guess they have nothing better to do.

God, I hate this.

“Is there anything else you need to tell me?”

“We will have your final check ready for you by the end of the day,” Marilee says, her tone efficient. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you.”

“Me too,” I say sadly, turning on my heel and fleeing Jim’s office. Hightailing it out of the athletic department building before I possibly bump into someone I might know.

I think about what Marilee said the entire time I walk across campus, headed for the parking lot so I can jump in my car and go home. How she said she’s sorry it didn’t work out for me. A year ago, this would’ve sent me into a spiral. I would’ve been devastated. Losing a job that’s in my major all over a guy? I would’ve beat myself up endlessly.

But Ace isn’t just a guy. He’s the man I’m in love with, and he’s in love with me. Marilee is wrong.

It did work out for me.