Replay - Amy Daws Page 0,4
find their partners in life is inspiring. Now two have even retired since I’ve been around. Christ, I’m getting old.
However, a lawyer’s career is certainly longer than a footballer. I count myself lucky every day that Vaughn hired me fresh out of law school and has kept me around for nearly a decade now. I’m thirty-six-years-old and can’t imagine working for any other club.
“Tanner,” a familiar deep voice barks from outside my office. “Did you schedule those extra training sessions with the new defender coming from America next week?”
The patriarch of the family, Vaughn Harris, appears in the doorway beside his son. Vaughn is a former footballer too, so he’s tall and broad-shouldered like his sons. However, Tanner’s sleeved tattoos and blond hair tied up in a bun are a stark difference from Vaughn’s trim grey hair. He’s aged quite a bit the past few years and keeps talking about retirement. But he’s a workaholic like me, so I’m expecting we’ll have to force him out.
“Yes, I scheduled Roan with us so we have someone to attack, and I’m putting Booker in the net as well.” Tanner turns to face his father and adds, “I’ve read the stats on Zander Williams but haven’t seen the tapes yet. You think he’ll be ready in time?”
“I’m hoping so,” Vaughn replies and then offers a quick nod to me. “Finney getting injured in our friendly match last week really buggered up plans for our first match in a couple of weeks. He’s doing physio with Indie, but she’s not sure he’ll be ready. It’ll be quick for Williams, but if he passes his medical exam okay and gets the extra training, I think he can be decent enough for a backup.”
“I just sent Williams his final contract,” I offer to relax Vaughn a bit. He’s been stressed about how down to the wire this player’s deal has become. “He had a last-minute change, so we had to make some adjustments. It’d be a lot easier if he had an agent we could work with.”
“I know,” Vaughn grumbles, running his hand through his short hair, looking stressed. “God, I hate recruiting. It’s more exhausting than watching my grandchildren without a nanny.”
Tanner laughs. “You can blame Booker’s demonic twins for that.”
“Hush now. Teddy and Oli are just spirited. They take after you and Cam, you know.” Vaughn glances at his watch. “Christ, I’ve got a call I need to be on. Tanner, make sure that training gets sorted. And Santino, let me know if there are any more issues with Williams.”
“Will do.” I wave him off as he jogs down the hallway towards his office that overlooks the pitch.
“Christ, he’s bossy. It’s like my childhood all over again.” Tanner shudders and then turns his focus back to me. “So, are you responding yes to the charity dinner Friday?”
I push my styled hair back into place and rack my brain for the details of this event. “Remind me again what this is for?”
“It’s a black-tie fundraiser for the Shirt Off My Back nonprofit I started a few years ago—it provides clothing to the homeless for job interviews and work programs.”
“Ah, of course. I did all the paperwork for that. It’s kind of ironic to have a black-tie event for a clothing nonprofit, isn’t it?”
Tanner nods begrudgingly. “Yes, but the tossers like you who come to black-tie events write the fattest checks. Even Mac Logan donated a tidy sum from his grandfather’s estate that he inherited.”
The mention of Mac’s name shifts my thoughts. “How is Mac by the way? Roan said something about his wife, Freya, being put on bed rest?”
“Yes, she was. My Belle is her doctor though and she’s quite certain they’re going to be alright if she takes it easy.”
I nod thoughtfully. “So, will Freya be able to come to the event then?” If so, I will be steering very clear of the two of them. Mac doesn’t hate me as much as he used to after I helped him out with a contract issue a couple of years back. But, considering I tried to date his wife back before she was his wife, it’s just best to always give those two a wide berth.
“No, Mac’s bringing his sister, Tilly, actually,” Tanner replies casually, and I swear I hear a record scratch in my mind as the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention.
“H-he’s bringing Tilly?” I stutter several octaves higher than normal. Licking my lips, I try to act distracted