“Ugh.” Her lip curls. “I fucking hate that guy.”
I wince. “Yeah. I thought being with this group would bring out his better traits.”
Instead, he caused friction with the team and treated Hazel, his ex-girlfriend, inappropriately. I’m not usually wrong about people, but when I am, I’m really wrong.
Just look at my father. I spent years hoping he’d stay and love us.
Jordan’s studying me with a strange expression, curious and concerned, and I hope I’m not wrong about her.
“So, Yang-Hanson,” I prompt.
Her eyes brighten with interest and determination. “He’s physical but fast and shifty. He’s enthusiastic and a good team player. He’d fit right in with the guys.”
That feeling I get about people? It’s pulsing through me right now, bright and powerful. This is what Jordan Hathaway can do. She said it herself: She knows hockey, she knows people, and she knows this team.
Maybe more than anyone, she knows this team.
“I’ll set something up with him this week when we head to Seattle. We can test him out on the ice and then go for dinner with him so you can get a better read.”
“I’m coming?”
“Of course. Is that a problem?”
“Nope.” Her eyes are still so bright but she takes a deep breath, like she’s trying to hide her excitement.
Adorable.
Our eyes hold and something hooks in my chest, right behind my sternum. She’s unfriendly and sarcastic and closed-off, I remind myself. She doesn’t speak to a father most people wish they could have. She had the most privileged upbringing and yet she turned her nose up at it.
And yet, I’m still sitting here, having a good time talking about hockey with her.
“There’s someone I think you should meet with,” I tell her.
She raises an eyebrow.
“Grace Madueke.”
She thinks for a moment before a frown pulls over her features.
Grace Madueke is the owner of a very successful NBA team. She inherited the team from her father, and before that, she spent a decade working with the organization. I met her a few years ago and we keep in touch.
“I’d be happy to connect you two.”
Jordan’s expression flattens. “Why?”
Yes, Tate, why? Why am I going out of my way to develop someone who doesn’t want to be developed?
Because I would do this for any employee.
“You can come to me for guidance, of course, but you’re a woman in a male-dominated industry. Grace may offer insight that I can’t.”
“No, thanks. There’s no point.” She rises to her feet and tucks her arms across herself. Back in her shell. “I’m only going to be here until the end of playoffs, so...” She shrugs. “I don’t want to waste anyone’s time.”
Before I can push back, she’s out of my office and taking a seat in hers, across the hall, and even though she’s been clear about wanting nothing to do with the team long term, I find myself disappointed.
CHAPTER 22
JORDAN
