this daydream is dangerous | JENLISA

Chapter 13

The decision to keep Lisa in Denver was easy, as easy as her decision to fall in love and choose love with her.

Everything after the decision was not.

She had to fight off subsequent offers from Portland, turning each one down, citing team chemistry and player wishes. She had to have Phoebe draft press releases to get ahead of the media shit storm that would descend if these negotiations went public. She had to get all her ducks in a row.

And then Brent called.

"Our answer is still no," Jennie said into her phone, holding her heels in her left hand as she walked the perimeter of the empty training field.

"I understand that you're a bit new to this position," Brent sighed. "So, I'll offer some advice from experience. You don't turn down the kind of money we've offered. We're doing you a favor by taking her. You're getting the good end of the deal."

"You're doing me a favor? Why so generous, Brent?" Jennie asked, unable to keep the bite out of her words.

"Consider it a warm welcome to the league. I'll be frank with you, Manoban is washed up. She's got a weak back and a weaker ankle. She's already almost thirty. One more bad tackle, and she'll be using a walker and-" 

"Washed up equals seventy thousand in allocation money, two rookies, and a first-round draft pick?" Jennie shot back, interrupting what she was sure would be a well-rehearsed plea, one that was supposed to make her feel like she was winning with this deal. But Brent sorely underestimated her, and her love for the woman in question.

"Jane, you're gonna be the most criticized owner in the league. Don't make a stupid mistake because sh sometimes gets lucky and can score a flashy goal or two," Brent nearly growled.

"There were only two mistakes made in this entire arrangement. You made the first one by letting Lisa go, and you just made the second one assuming that all Lisa brings to a team is a goal or two. Don't bullshit me, Brent. You're not getting her back. You don't deserve to," Jennie replied, her voice calm and cool, yet with an air of strength that dared Brent to continue to fight her on this.

"I'll give you forty-eight hours to change your mind," Brent countered, the wind out of his sails.

Jennie let out a humorless laugh as she started another lap around the field, her bare feet padding across the grass.

"I don't need forty-eight hours. The answer is no and it always will be no. Don't call me, don't reach out to me, don't pretend like you have any power or control here. This is my team and you don't get a say in who goes and who stays. Lisa stays, Brent. Good luck in the playoffs," Jennie said, hanging up the phone before he could reply.

A pair of strong, solid arms slowly slid around Jennie's waist, taking advantage of the empty training field and the rest day for the entire team.

"That was very sexy," Lisa hummed, squeezing her once before letting her arms fall away.

"I'm so annoyed," Jennie replied, sighing at the situation and at the lack of Lisa's arms around her.

"Why be annoyed with someone else's desperation?"

"Because he acted entitled, and you're your own person. You choose what you want your career to look like, nobody else. He might be desperate but he got under my skin," Jennie grumbled, sliding her phone into her back pocket as she continued her laps around the field.

"I can tell. You're walking very quickly," Lisa grinned, keeping pace with Jennie's steps.

"Sorry," Jennie sighed, slowing her pace. "We've got playoffs. Can't let you overdo it walking laps with me."