Ignoring the growing disturbance coming from the lobby, I focused on counting my twenties.

“I don’t care if you were the GM, no one gets in without an appointment.” Larry, one of our No-B.S. security guards barked.

I chuckled to myself as my fingers worked quick to scribble down the bill count before my mind wandered again.

Just who did this trespasser say he was? I shut the register and looked up. All the way across the atrium shaped lobby, my eyes locked with ones that belonged to no other than Troy Hartman.

“H—her. I know her.”

Larry glanced over at me for confirmation. My mouth broke open as I took in Troy’s appearance. He wore a stained white t-shirt, ripped jeans and a baseball hat. I blinked to be sure I wasn’t just that more delusional today than I thought.

“Troy?” I whispered but doubted anyone heard me. Shit. I ripped off my apron and spun in the other direction.

“Hey, Harp,” Larry’s voice echoed across the lobby, and I turned back with a heavy breath.

“Harper Maxwell, I knew that was you,” Troy called in a slurred and strained voice. “Can you please tell them who I am?”

“We know who you are, man, but that doesn’t mean we’re letting you in the building without an appointment.”

I locked my jaw before slowly striding over to security. When I reached the arguing duo, I whipped back from the alcohol reeking out of Troy’s breath, hair and clothes.

“Troy, what are you doing here?” I hissed.

His lazy grin made my insides twist. But not in any good way, in a way that made me wonder what it was about him I found so powerful yesterday and the night before.

He tossed an arm over me. “Boy am I glad to see you. You work here?”

I blinked.

“Awesome, I need help finding the person who wrote this.” He pulled out a folded piece of paper from the pocket of his grey hoodie and held it out to me. I stared coldly at him in response.

“Okay, allow me.” He pulled it open and held it up for me. It was the article from the magazine that hit the web the morning after the game. I’d already read it so pushed it aside.

“Troy, you should leave. They’re not joking, it doesn’t matter who you are, they’ll have you arrested if you give them any problems.”

His smile grew wider, and he leaned down, his weight heavy against me and I nearly fell backwards.

“Hey, hands off buddy—” Larry pushed forward but I held up my hand, while the other just barely supported Troy’s massive upper body at my side.