had worked as an intern. Now she had a chance to go back to LA, and with a job that most people could only dream about.
Valencia Flores snorted. “Moving back home because ‘I miss my family’ is getting a nice job at a hospital or some other health center, not taking a job with the LA Cobras football team.” She jumped up. “This is like...like crazy.”
“Maybe so, but I can’t pass up this opportunity.”
“What do you think he’s going to say when he walks in and sees you?”
Lauren resumed folding her shirts and placing them in the open suitcase. “I don’t know. It’s been a long time, and I’m sure Malcolm has forgotten all about me.”
Valencia stared at Lauren as if she had lost her mind. “A man does not forget the woman who broke his heart. Malcolm Gray loved you and you loved him. Everybody knew it. We were all just waiting for the wedding bells.”
Lauren tossed the top in and blew out a long breath. She had been waiting for the same thing—until she made a foolish mistake. By the time she realized it, Lauren had ruined the best thing in she had going. “I’m sure there may be a few tense moments, but we’re both adults and professionals. I plan to do my job and that’s all. Not many people get the chance to be a nutritionist for a professional football team. And this will go a long way in giving me the credibility I need to write the book on nutrition for athletes.”
Valencia folded her arms and angled her head thoughtfully. “Are you sure that’s the only reason you’re going?”
“Of course.” Lauren had asked herself the same question several times over the three weeks since she’d accepted the position. Only yesterday had she finally admitted that a small part of her wanted to see Malcolm again. As a football fan, she had followed his career, and she was happy he’d been able to live the life they had talked about all those years ago. Back then, they would lie together laughing, talking and sharing their hopes and dreams.
“I hope you know what you’re doing.”
She glanced up to see Valencia still frowning. “I do. I’m taking advantage of an opportunity of a lifetime, and I’ll be near my family. It’s a win-win situation for me. How can that be a bad thing?” She had found a condo in Carson, a twenty-minute drive from her parents’ house, which was far enough to maintain her privacy. The modern two-bedroom end unit had an open floor plan, granite countertops in the kitchen, hardwood flooring, a separate dining room, a two-car garage with direct access to the home, a balcony and a spacious master bedroom. And although it wasn’t gated, there was twenty-four-hour security. A bonus was that the Cobras’ practice facility was only about thirty minutes away.
Valencia viewed Lauren skeptically. “Okay, if you say so. Since you follow football, do you know if Malcolm is married or dating someone?”
Lauren walked over to her dresser, opened a drawer and grabbed another armful of clothing. “I follow football, not his personal life, so I have no idea.” Malcolm had always been a private person when it came to his relationships, even when they dated. As a popular athlete at UCLA, he had been interviewed on a number of occasions. Whenever questions came up about his relationship with Lauren, Malcolm would give the standard “no comment” and shift the conversation back to football. Lauren did remember seeing a picture of him with a beautiful actress floating around on social media a year or two ago, with speculation about whether the two were headed to the altar. However, she never heard anything more, so she assumed it hadn’t happened. She’d seen notices of his siblings’ weddings, including that of his twin sister, Morgan. Lauren hadn’t been the least bit surprised that Morgan had married a football star and had a successful career as a sports agent. The woman was a bigger fan of the game than Lauren. “So, you are coming to visit me soon, right?”
“Heck, yeah. I’ve only been to LA twice, so get ready to party.” Valencia snapped her fingers and did a little dance step. “I’m going to be putting in for some time off as soon as I get in to work on Monday. Do you think the team needs another nutritionist? I mean...there’s, like, how many on the team?”
“Usually about fifty-three.”
“See, that’s plenty for two people.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “With all those fine muscular men in one place, I might learn to like football a little more.”
Lauren laughed. “You’re a hot mess.” But her friend was right. The LA Cobras were an impressive team. In more ways than one. She zipped the full suitcase and dragged it off the bed until it stood upright on its wheels. She set it next to the other two and glanced around the room at all the luggage and boxes stacked against the walls. It was a good thing she had ended her job two days ago. No way she would have finished packing everything otherwise. She hated moving. Somehow she had accumulated enough stuff over the past eight years to open her own variety shop. Clearly, she would have to go through her things after getting settled in her new place. “I really appreciate you taking today off to help me.”
“You know I couldn’t let you do all this alone. Besides, I haven’t taken off one day this year, and we’re already at the halfway mark.” Valencia taped a box closed. “What time is the moving truck coming tomorrow?”
“Five in the morning,” she answered with a groan. “The drive is supposed to be close to six hours, but with traffic, who knows?”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive with you? I could stay overnight and hop a flight back on Sunday.”
She stared at her best friend and seriously considered her offer. Lauren hated driving, and having someone with her would make the time go by faster. “Truthfully, I’d rather not drive by myself. You sure you wouldn’t mind?”
Valencia rolled her eyes. “Of course I wouldn’t mind. That’s why I offered two weeks ago when you first told me.”
Lauren chuckled. “I appreciate you, girl. It’ll be easier if you just stay here tonight.”
“I agree.” Valencia finished taping another box. “Let me tape up these last two boxes and I’ll run home, pack a bag and be back. Do you want me to stop and pick up something for dinner?”
“Seeing as how I’ve packed up all the dishes and cleaned out the refrigerator, that might be a good idea. Maybe pizza? That’s quick and doesn’t require utensils.”
“That works.” The other woman picked up her purse and dug her keys out of her pocket. “Are you sure this is what you want to do, Lauren?”
Lauren knew Valencia wasn’t asking about the job. “Yes.” At best, she and Malcolm could come to some sort of truce—she’d do her job and he’d do his. At worst, he could still hate her guts and make her dream job a living nightmare.
* * *
Malcolm Gray finished his last set on the bench press, then moved so his brother-in-law Omar Drummond and another teammate, Marcus Dupree, could take their turns. All three men played for the LA Cobras, and although training camp didn’t start until next month, everyone had been summoned for a Monday morning meeting. They decided to make good use of the time by arriving early and getting in a workout.
“I think I might be done when my contract is up,” Marcus said, lying on the bench and starting his repetitions. “This body is getting too old for all those hits.”
Omar nodded his head in agreement. “No lie.”
Malcolm
