I think through the wording on the threats, and I’m forced to shake my head. “The notes don’t fit. They focus on her not deserving good things and being prepared to lose everything. I wouldn’t rule him out, but it seems like he’s more focused on getting her back than making her miserable.” Neither of which would be happening.
“You’re worried about her.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Aren’t you?”
“Sure, but not in the same way you are. So, how’s it going?”
I hesitate to tell him about me and Rainey. Not because I don’t trust him, but I don’t want to put him in the middle of me and Jack should the truth come out. Instead, I go at the bag again.
“Hey. Lucas.” His stern tone of voice captures my attention and I look up. “Tell me.”
“We’re working together for her Thunder party. We’re getting to know each other better, too.” I hold up my hands, and he unstraps each glove so I can pull them off myself. I lay them on a nearby bench and take a seat. This conversation requires my attention so I take a break from throwing punches.
Tristan leans against the wall beside me.
“She doesn’t want anyone to know we’re involved. Whatever happens is after hours. I asked her to go with me to the Foster Fundraiser event, and she said we can go together. As friends.”
“Ouch.”
I raise one shoulder. “I try and tell myself it’s not like that. The chemistry is off the charts. But…”
“Jack.”
I nod. “Jack. And Rainey is very careful about her reputation. She’s afraid if people find out we’re sleeping together, she’ll be seen as unprofessional in her industry.”
“I don’t get how.” Tristan pushes off the wall and sits down beside me.
“Well, she had a client who was unhappy and bad-mouthed her until other companies stopped calling. She and Kaylee did rebuild their business, but it wasn’t easy. So, now, being professional and doing the right thing is important to her.” And I respect Rainey’s work ethic.
I just wish it didn’t impact us.
Hell, I’m willing to go up against Jack if it means winning Rainey in the end, but that is the last thing she wants. And I’veyet to figure out another way to get through to her. Except by letting her see how good we could be together. By showing up. Being there. No matter how often she pushes me away.
“Sounds complicated,” Tristan says.
I nod. “It is. But she’s worth it.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Rainey
“Argh!!” I setmy phone on the desk and lower my head to my arms.
I’m furious. I’ve been on the phone with the vendor I ordered the tapestries of the players from for the Thunder event at Midnight. The plan was to hang them around the club the night of the launch event—the party for the team, their families, and those who work in the front office. Then we’d repurpose them for the stadium this year.
This morning, I called to confirm the delivery date and was told I’d canceled, and my deposit will not be refunded. They were upset as it was a big job and they’d scrapped the work they’d already done. The rush job I’d paid extra for. I’m pissed because they refuse to reinstate the order even though I swore to them I didn’t cancel.
Why would I?The party is in a few weeks, and they’re supposed to be theoh wowpart of the event when everyone walks in. I planned to have a spotlight over each one.
And now it looks like I’ll need to start over and brainstorm new ideas. I’d found a specialty company for the tapestries and there isn’t someone else to do them from scratch. Not to mention no refund means a huge hit to my budget. And I refuse to ask the client, aka my father, for more money. I have no idea how this happened or what I’m going to do to replace the tapestries.
“Are you okay?” a familiar and welcome masculine voice asks.
I lift my head to meet Lucas’s concerned gaze.
“No, I’m not.” I tell him about the issue with the canceled order. “And I swear to you, I did not cancel, so I don’t know how this happened.” My frustration level is high, and I don’t know what to do.
“I believe you.” His brow is furrowed like he’s deep in thought.
