Love Faces Off

Chapter 20

The trip to Quebec was considered a success they split the first two games. They were coming back home 1-1 in the series. After the first day, the media backed off of questions about the pending litigation and Tidewater. The players were true to their word they expressed support for Raegan and refused to answer any question not pertaining to the game or series. Nick was the only player that faced questions daily about their relationship. He handled it like a pro and made it clear that his personal life was off limits. The separation was unbearable. To be so close to one another but not be able to be together was harder than either of them had expected. They talked and texted regularly but it wasn’t the same. Raegan knew her decision to continue to live with Nick was the right one. If she couldn’t handle a 4 day road trip there was no way living apart was going to work. They only had about an hour left before they could touch and hold each other. Raegan was in the back of the plane per usual and Nick was in the front with the players. It was late Thursday night but they had opted to leave right after game 2 so they could have a full day at home before game 3. Raegan was trying to get some emails read when her phone dinged.

I cannot wait to get you

home. I hope you don’t

have any plans for tomorrow.

I have the whole day set

aside for us to be naked

in bed together.

that would be

delightful BUT….only

the players have

tomorrow free of team

activities. I do have to

go in for a few hours

tomorrow.

you really should complain

to management about

this grueling schedule. Lol

well the boss is a real

ice queen if you know

what I mean. I won’t

have to go in for long.

They like to let

everyone have down

time when we will be

traveling so much.

Maybe 4 hours or so. It

will give you time to

rest. We need you

100% and not hurting

that shoulder again.

How’s it feeling after

your hit tonight?

sore but nothing a hot

shower with my naked

girlfriend won’t fix

I cant wait. After I’ll

give you a nice

massage to relax the

muscles

I’ve got something else

I’m going to

need you to massage.

Raegan grinned. She loved this man more and more each day. Just then Dr. Brannon came and sat beside her. Raegan quickly turned her phone over so their conversation would not be seen. Raegan’s phone dinged again. She didn’t turn it over but did look up to see Nick looking back at her. He nodded understanding and turn back around.

Dr. Brannon smiled as he asked, “Am I interrupting anything?”

She blushed, “No, sir. Just chitchatting.”

“I wasn’t sure how this would work. You still traveling with the team while in a relationship with a player. But part of me knew you would find a way to make it work.”

“It wasn’t easy but we both want there to be a separation between our personal and professional lives.”

“I’m happy for you, Raegan. After everything you have been through you deserve the best.”

She smile at him, “Thank you, Dr. Brannon for believing in me and helping me to grow in this organization.”

He cleared his throat, “In the coming years there will be a lot more room for you to grow. I’m on a 5 year plan to retire. If you continue on like you are doing, I can see you being my successor.” He gave her a few minutes for what he said to sink in.

“I know the players have tomorrow off to spend with their families.”

“Yes, sir, but it wont effect my work.” She reassured him, “I am planning to come in for 4-5 hours to finalize up the PT plans and schedules for the next set of games, just like I normally would.”

“Do you have anything that would require you to come into the office or can all that be done remotely?”

“I guess it could technically be done remotely. I do like to make face to face contact with the PTs and go over the plans with them to make sure everyone understands what is being laid out.”

He nodded understanding, “With your current position, you can make the call to work remotely whenever you want. You have more leeway with your schedule. If you wake up in the morning and decide to work from home, I won’t hold it against you.”

“Thank you, sir. I will see what the morning brings. I think Nick needs to rest that shoulder before Saturday’s game. I’m not sure he will do that if I am home tomorrow.”

He chuckled, “Always looking out for what is best for a player.”

Dr. Brannon went back to his seat and Raegan went back to her email. The more she got done on this flight the less time she would have to be in the office tomorrow.

She noticed she had an email from the attorney.

Mr. Kwatski and Ms. Moore,

I opted to email you and CC the others involved as I knew you were on an inbound flight. Mr. Tidewater was served eviction notice on Tuesday. It is my understanding he vacated the building today. Raegan, you are safe to return to your home.

In addition, we received a request from the publishing company’s attorney for a sit down to discuss a possible settlement. This just happened to occur an hour after we released the video evidence for discovery per the court requirements. Due to conflicting schedules the meeting is planned for Wednesday of next week. My clerk informs me that the team will be out of town for a game. It is very important that both of you attend this meeting so a deal could be agreed to on the spot.

Please let me know if this works out for you.

Sincerely

Anthony Debois

Raegan closed her email. Nick was going to have mix feelings about this. Her traveling with the team right now was to avoid running into Tidewater without Nick around. Now she was going to have to stay back and meet with Tidewater while Nick and the others were in another country. She looked up to see Mr. Kwatski and Nick approaching her area of the plane.

Mr. Kwatski spoke first, “I’m guessing you just read the same email I did?”

Raegan nodded

Nick was confused, “What email? Has something happened?”

She told him, “Tidewater was served and vacated the condo. His publisher’s attorney has requested a meeting after seeing the video of the incident. They want to talk settlement.”

Nick’s face lit up, “That is good news right? Avoid a public trial.”

“It is.” Mr. Kwatski agreed, “We still will not give an inch but the meeting is set to take place on Wednesday. Raegan and I will have to be in attendance. Tidewater will also be there.”

Suddenly it dawned on Nick, “Wait, Wednesday?! We will be back in Quebec for game 5.”

“You will be but I will have to stay behind this trip.” Raegan explained.

“No. I won’t leave you there with Tidewater without me there to protect you!”

“I will see to it that she is safe, Nick. I’ll let Luke Davidson know to have extra security with her at all times.”

Nick shook his head, “I don’t like this. Maybe I can stay back-”

She placed her hand on his, “You can’t do that. The team needs you and it could be a pivotal game. We both agreed our private life was not going to effect the team any more than it has to. I will be ok. You will only be gone at most 2 days.”

He just shook his head, “I don’t like it at all. Can I have an exception to the no contact rule? So I can at least hear from her after the meeting?”

The owner agreed, “I think that would be doable given the circumstances. I will keep her safe, Nick. You have my word. The flight is almost over. Why don’t you stay back here with her. While I go discuss this with Collson and Brannon.”

Nick slid in next to her and held her hand in his, “I don’t like this. I promised to keep you safe. How am I supposed to do that in another freaking country?”

She put her hand on his cheek, “It will all be ok. There really isn’t any other way. I know you want this over with as much as I do. This is the only way that can happen. You leave Tuesday morning. How about I promise to use the car service both Tuesday and Wednesday? That way I will never be alone except when I’m at the house behind a guarded, gated entry. I will be at work both days for probably around 10 hours each day under total security. And you know when Mr. Kwatski tells Luke to increase security, he will make it even more air tight.”

“I know,” he reluctantly admitted, “but I still don’t like it.”

Raegan reached over and kissed him tenderly. Neither took it further but their eyes held a promise of what was to come once they were home.