Posey:I’d treat this as the championships, man. You have to be all in, no matter what’s going on between you two. You either show her the man, the boyfriend you can be, or you let her go.
Pacey:I agree with everyone.
OC:**Eats popcorn** Just here for the storyline.
Silas:Is he kicked out again?
Posey:Yes.
Penny:Yes.
Pacey:I don’t know . . . I think he brings charm.
Chapter Fifteen
BLAKELY
“Hello?”
“Blakely, it’s Huxley Cane.”
Sitting on a chair in my bedroom since there’s no bed, I try not to sound nervous. “Huxley, it’s so nice to hear from you.” Especially since I’ve been avoiding you.
“I’m going to get to the point. I want to know if my offer is of interest to you or if I should move on to finding someone else. As far as I’m concerned, you’re who I want for the job, but I don’t want to force you into anything.”
“I appreciate that,” I say as I stare at myself in the mirror across from me. I’m sitting in my robe with my hair and makeup done for the wedding. Just need to slip on my dress. “And I don’t mean to hold you up, but I guess I’m just trying to figure out what I want to do with my career. The direction I want to take.”
“Can I help in any way? I’d like to remain neutral. If anything, I can appreciate your ability not to jump headfirst into a new career.”
“Well, I do have a few questions.”
“Ask away.”
I play with the tie on my robe as I ask, “The moving thing. I don’t know if I want to leave Vancouver. That’s been a big holdup for me.”
“What if I said you could work remotely?”
My interest piques, but doubt also creeps in. “I don’t want coworkers to resent me if I don’t move to Los Angeles.”
“I’ll say this. We have people who work remotely as well as in the office. It’s really their preference. We run our business with the notion that not everyone can work productively in an office and not everyone can work productively at home. Would it be nice to have you in the office? Of course, but we offer both options for a reason, to see what best suits each employee. You being in Canada won’t be any different from someone else who lives in LA and works remotely. The great thing about technology now is that with a click of a button, you’re transported into the conference room whenever we need you.”
Relief fills me as I lean back in my chair. “And you mean that?”
“One thing you need to know about my brothers and me is that we’re not going to bullshit you, Blakely. If I say it, I mean it.”
“Of course, I’m sorry for even questioning you.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s a fair question. What else?”
I cross one leg over the other. “Will I be working directly with the athletes? Because right now, I work more with the VIP customers. It’s like seventy-thirty. I’d prefer to work more one-on-one with the athletes. It’s what I find the most fun. I wanted to get into player relations but slipped into VIP sales and marketing. I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve loved this job, but ifI rotate to something new, I want to rotate into a direction that brings me the joy I’m looking for.”
“The only people you’ll be working with are the athletes signed up with The Jock Report and their appointed staff. It’s all about interacting with the players, ensuring their voice is heard and portrayed. There will be occasional travel requirements, but nothing that takes you away from Vancouver for long periods of time. A lot of the job can be done through online conferences.” He pauses, and I take a moment to think about that. It sounds ideal.It sounds surreal.“I chose you, Blakely, because you’re composed, professional, intuitive, and dynamic, and I know our athletes would thrive under your care. You’re what I’ve been looking for.”
“Thank you,” I say as I consider his words.“You’re composed, professional, intuitive, and dynamic. You’re exactly what I’ve been looking for.”I’ve held off answering for too long. Any other person would have moved on, but Huxley Cane sees something in me, something he likes. And honestly? I’m already thriving from that confidencein me. Imagine what it would do for me if I worked for him? If I had that level of professional guidance and encouragement daily? I like the idea of working more with the athletes. And I can’t beat the money and the financed housing. Not to mention, it might be fun working from home . . .
I close my eyes and before I can stop myself, I say, “I’ll take the job.”
“Good,” Huxley says, not even bothering to make sure I mean it. Probably because he knows it’s an offer I’d be stupid to refuse. “I’ll have HR send over the official letter. If you sign by Monday, we’ll include a signing bonus. I look forward to working with you. I’ll be in touch.”
