Hurt flashed across his face for the briefest moment before his face became a mask. He grabbed a couple vouchers and cups from the table. “I’m going to step outside for some fresh air and see if I can find some people to talk to.”
Miriam nodded and watched Silas walk through the automatic doors. Once he was out of sight, she pulled out her phone to send a quick group text to Grant and Vinny.
Miriam: Where are you?
She forced a smile at a couple of customers as they walked past while she waited for a response. Thankfully, her phone buzzed right away.
Grant: On our way.
Miriam: Did you get stuck in traffic?
Grant: Nope. It’s pretty good out right now.
Miriam: Then why are you late?
She hit send and instantly regretted it. Miriam was mad at Silas, not Grant or Vinny. It was unfair to take out her anger on the new guys just because they were running a little behind. And really, nobody had shown up yet, so there was no real harm done.
She started to type out an apology when another text came through from Grant.
Grant: Late? We were told it got pushed back half an hour.
Why in the world would she push it back half an hour when all the event invites had already been posted online? And more importantly, where would they hear that?
Silas.
The realization hit hard, and she barely managed to send a quick response telling them to drive safe before leaving her post at the swag table and walking out of the store. Miriam wasn’t sure what kind of game Silas was playing. All she knew was that she was going to kill him.
Watching him take a soccer ball to the head sounded particularly wonderful right now. She briefly considered grabbing one from the shelf just for that purpose, but she was already outside and wasn’t going back now.
Miriam’s arms swung wildly at her sides as she took long, fast strides into the parking lot. She turned her head this way and that looking for where Silas could have wandered off to. She found him talking to a girl.
Not just any girl, a pretty one who was wearing a dress that showed off arms and legs that Miriam could tell were toned even from several yards away. Dark shiny hair fell perfectly to her waist. A sweet, tinkling laugh rang out at something Silas said as her hand touched his arm in a playful way.
Miriam’s feet stopped. The image was too similar to what she’d seen time and time again when Silas played for the Storm three seasons ago. Miriam had always felt insecure compared to the gorgeous women who flocked to Silas. He had always reassured Miriam that she was the only girl for him and that he’d never leave her.
What he’d meant was he’d never leave her for another woman. Another team? All it had taken was the promise of it being a stepping stone to the Premier League, and he was gone in a matter of weeks.
Silas never did make it across the pond to play ‘football,’ and Miriam found a certain joy knowing that he had his share of disappointment too. It was just a shame he had to come back to Waterfront.
She marched over. “Silas, there you are. A word?”
His smile fell when he turned and saw Miriam standing beside him. “Miriam, hi.” His eyes flit back and forth between her and the other woman like he’d been caught cheating. As if Miriam cared who he talked to anymore.
You care a little.
Miriam forced the thought down. “Did you tell Grant and Vinny that the event got pushed back to eleven-thirty?”
“Uh…” His eyes refused to meet hers.
So, yes. He had lied to his teammates. But why? Just so he’d have some time with Miriam? Her brows crinkled as she once again tried to understand what Silas was up to. Why go through all that trouble only to talk with Joe and flirt with a woman so pretty Miriam couldn’t compete with her? Because he’s not trying to win you back, silly. He wants the spotlight just like he always has.
Miriam put her hands up as if they could conjure a physical wall between them. “You’re unbelievable.”
The woman who still stood next to Silas finally spoke up. “Who’s this?”
Miriam was so angry, she didn’t think she could speak, so she turned her face to Silas and lifted her brows. Who am I besides the idiot who fell for your charms three years ago?
“McKensie, this is Miriam Taylor. She’s the community outreach manager.”
McKensie looked at Miriam through narrowed eyes. “That’s...interesting.”
No, interesting was the fact that Miriam was still standing out here having this conversation. “Vinny and Grant are on their way. You can go once they get here. You’ve done your job, now let me do mine.”
She turned on her heel and walked back inside to her table and waited for the other players to get there. Once they arrived, she was sure everything would get better.
Or, at least, she hoped it would.
Silas
Silas tried not to focus on the way Miriam’s hips swayed as she stomped back into The Sports Emporium. She’d worn a tight pair of jeans that hugged her curves in such a way that he was unable to look away until she disappeared inside the building.
He’d almost forgotten he was standing next to McKensie until her laugh pulled his eyes from the store. Silas rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry about that.”
“Sorry that your team’s PR person is a total grouch? You don’t have to apologize for that.”
Miriam was the opposite of grouchy—most of the time, at least—and he opened his mouth to defend her when McKensie reached out and touched his arm again. It was completely unwelcome, but Silas was in a tough position. He needed to make a good impression on all potential fans, so instead of shoving her away and running after Miriam, he forced a
