Nico and Dani walked into coach's office at the same time and that's when it hit Matt. Matt knew the man Dani was in love with was Nico. Even though he had moved on with Noelle, he still had feelings for Dani. It would take him a little while to get over them. He wondered how long something had been going on between her and Nico. This infuriated him more than he wanted it too.
"Dani, please tell me that Nico isn't who you were talking about earlier. There is so much stuff on him you probably don't even know. He's no good for you. I just don't want to see you hurt," Matt said in a anger tone through gritted teeth.
Nico and coach were both about to set Matt straight when Dani held up her hand and said, "First of all, who I love or date is none of your business. Second of all, your the one that doesn't know anything about him. Nico has went out of his way to protect me and my kids, which is way more than you even thought about doing. All you did was sleep with two other women between the times we weren't together and I'm not even going to go into how you ignored me when Terrence went AWOL from rehab and showed up at my house. So, yes, Nico is the man I was talking about," Dani said as a matter of factly.
Matt got in Dani's face, slapped her and yelled, "who do you think you are talking too?" Dani fell back against a chair and hit the side of her face on it. It knocked her out cold. Before coach knew it Nico had Matt on the floor in a headlock, so he had to call for security to help come pull them apart. Coach was furious. He didn't know what had gotton into Matt. They managed to get Nico away from Matt.
Coach yelled, "how in the world can we run a football team if nobody can get along? Players always have tiffs, but I can't have this from my personnel." Coach looked at Matt and told the guard to take him to his office until further notice.
Nico had picked Dani up and laid her on the couch. He had an ice pack on each side of her face where both marks where. She was coming too. He didn't know what to do with his feelings because he was so angry at Matt. Coach walked over to make sure she was okay and then went down to talk to Matt. He wondered if he needed backup for this, but he knew Nico didn't need to go in there because coach knew Nico was pretty pissed off. Coach was pretty upset with Matt and something needed to be done. Matt had so much anger here lately. He didn't know if firing him would be best or suspension without pay. Coach was still in shock that he slapped Dani.
Coach left Nico and Dani alone to give them some time. When he entered into Matt's office, TK and some of the players had gotten into it about what just happened. They had Matt backed up against the wall.
"How could you slap Dr. D? She's the best thing thats ever happened to this team." TK said pissed and as all the players agreed with TK, Coach knew things were going to get out of hand.
"All right guys, lets calm down," Coach said as he walked in. "Yall get back to weight lifting."
TK spoke up as he got closer in Matt's face and said, "aww, come on, Coach, we just wanted to give Mattie D here a piece of what he gave our good doc, but then again your not worth it. Come on boys, lets stay focused on our game." With that they all walked out and went back to weight lifting.
Coach was proud of the man TK had become. Dani was real special and had helped Terrence come so far. He knew that Matt would only cause more trouble for everybody, especially Dani.
"Just say it, Pat, I'm fired. Look I know I made a mistake, more than one and I'm sorry. I already have taken another job in Dallas. I was offered the job that Nico turned down. Noelle and I are leaving tonight to head out of town. I would appreciate if this stays quiet," Matt said in a sorta fake tone.
Coach just stood there for a minute. He knew this assistant GM job had gone to Matt's head. He couldn't believe Matt's attitude. "Yes, you are fired, but as far as keeping this quiet, I'm not making any promises. If the players tell, O WELL," and with that Coach walked out the door to have a word with his players. Matt was pissed, but decided not to cause anymore trouble and just get his stuff together and leave.
Meanwhile, back in coach's office, Dani layed on the couch with Nico sitting right next to her. She had finally came too.
"Dani, I'm sorry. I should have stepped in front of you, but honestly I didn't think Donnelly would do that to you," Nico said emotionally. What happened was tearing him up inside and out.
Dani reached up and cupped Nico's face. It was the first time since their first kiss that she had touched his face. She loved the way his stubble felt against her hand. "Nico, it's okay. You didn't know. I will be fine. It's just a couple of bumps," Dani said softly. Nico was leaning into Dani's touch and was just about to lean in for a kiss when coach walked back in.
"Y'all still here? It's been a long afternoon and I really need you both at that charity event. Go home get some rest and I'll see you both tonight, that is if you feel up to it, Dr. Dani," coach said as he grabbed some papers off of his desk. He was so glad to see the two of them together and he was hoping they would admit their feelings for each other really soon.
"I'll be there, coach," Dani said with a grin.
"Good. I'll see y'all tonight," coach said and walked out.
Nico looked at Dani and wondered what she was thinking about, but had an idea. So he just decided to see how much fun he could have with this. "Let me guess, your trying to figure out if you have a dress for tonight or if you need to go and buy one," Nico said with a smirk and by the look Dani just gave him, he was right. Dani playfully punched him in the arm and they both laughed.
"Nico, you know me too well," Dani said laughing. "I actually have something I can wear tonight, but yes, I was thinking about which one I wanted to choose." Nico just gave Dani a grin and kissed her forehead. It was almost 2:00 and the event started at 7:00. It had been such a long morning and early afternoon. Dani couldn't believe Matt acted out like he did. Just when Dani thought the day was going to get better, Matt walked back into coach's office, along with three security guards. He saw the two of them laughing and touching and he wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he was kindof jealous.
Nico jumped up and got in Matt's way to keep him from getting any closer. "Nico, don't get your undies in a wad. I just came to apologize to Dani. Coach just fired me and I was offered the job that you left. Noelle and I will be heading that way tonight," Matt said as he looked around Nico and added, "I'm sorry, Dani and wish you the best." Matt walked out and didn't look let out a breath. Dani got up and walked over to Nico. She put her arms around him and thanked him for protecting her. Nico and Dani stood there and held each other for several minutes.
"Dani, I need you to know that I will always do what I can to keep you safe. I've never let you down and I don't intend to start now," Nico said as they held each other. He loved having this woman so close. He hated the fact that he couldn't have taken that slap for her.
"It's okay, Nico. I know your wishing you could have taking that slap for me, but your human. Nobody saw that coming and it's okay. I trust you and you always make me feel so safe when your by my side. Remember, you said I was the only one who knew you," Dani said and now it was her turn to smirk.
"You are the only one who knows me. Dani, there is so much I want to say to you and that we need to talk about. So how about we start with a date. Would be my date tonight at the charity event," Nico asked with the sexiest smile that Dani had ever seen.
"Of course, I will. Nico, I just want to say that you are so special and I am looking forward to tonight. There is so much I want to say to you as well. My kids are gone for the weekend, so maybe we will get some time to talk after the event tonight." Dani whispered into his ear.
"I'll pick you up at 6:20," Nico said and gave Dani a kiss on the cheek.
"Okay, I'll see you then," Dani said and returned the kiss on the cheek to him. Dani walked out with the biggest smile she had ever had on her face in her entire lifetime.
Nico reached up and touched his face where her lips had been. He was so excited about tonight, their weekend, and the conversation that he had been dying to have with her for such a long time now, especially after that first magical kiss they shared.
Yep, this will be the best night of my life. I've been patient long enough, now and hopefully, I can finally call Dani, MINE!
Hope you are enjoying this story so far! Let me know what you think!