"I've been offered a position with a professional hockey team in New York."
"New York? Why the hell would you move there?"
"Because my brothers play for the team." Not that I have to explain myself.
"This is unacceptable," he yells at me. "After everything this club has done for you. This is how you repay us?"
"With all due respect, I've given this club five years of excellent service ..."
"And now you're abandoning us when we need you most. Cameron just started, he needs your guidance."
"Like I told him, I'm willing to help transition ..."
"You're willing?" He scoffs. "How generous. Tell me, Joelle, is this about the promotion?"
Cameron's eyes widen, and he looks between me and the phone.
"Partly, yes." I'm not going to lie.
"So, you're throwing a tantrum because you didn't get what you wanted." David Cooper hisses through the phone.
"I'm pursuing a better opportunity. One that puts me closer to my family."
"You're running away because you couldn't handle a little competition."
My jaw clenches. "Your son just graduated. He has zero professional experience. He was put into a position he is not qualified for. That wasn't competition, that was nepotism."
Cameron gasps at my comments.
"I'm coming down there. Don't fucking move." The line goes dead.
Cameron stares at me. "You shouldn't have said that." He looks like he's about to pass out from fear. "He's going to be so angry."
This wasn't at all how I saw today going.
"I didn't know this job was supposed to be yours. I asked him to let me start at the bottom, but he told me Coopers are always on top." Oh. I didn't realize that. "I'm sorry my coming here means the team is going to lose you. But I also understand."
Maybe I had him pegged wrong.
"My brothers play professional hockey. My sister is their head of social media. They asked me to join them. I've been here in London for five years and I miss my family. As a French-Canadian, hockey is my first love. Growing up in a family devoted to the sport, I miss it."
"I get it. My dad won't." He shrugs.
Moments later, David Cooper storms into the office, red-faced and furious. "You." He points at me. "This is exactly why you didn't get the job. You're disloyal. Ungrateful."
I'm shocked by his venom.
"You're fired," he screams at me.
I blink. "Excuse me?"
"Effective immediately. You've proven yourself to be disloyal to this organization. A bad influence. I won't have you poisoning my son's transition."
"Dad ..." Cameron starts.
"Quiet, Cameron. This doesn't involve you." David doesn't look at him, instead he keeps his eyes on me. "Pack your things. Security will escort you out."
My heart is pounding. I'm too shocked to respond.
