She’s been a rock this entire afternoon, and I couldn’t have done it without her. She even managed to reschedule the coach interview that we had planned for today. I’m not sure how she did it, because we missed it entirely, and I’m positive that Bob Ingram was pissed. But she somehow pulled it off, and I’m more than impressed. I’m also not sure if Bob is the right guy for this team. There’s another interview tomorrow with a different candidate. We may not even need to worry about whether or not Bob is angry about rescheduling.
It hasn’t escaped me that Evan and Mel have become close. I’m keeping an eye on that, but it’s pretty darn cute. Mel’s the absolute best, so Evan better treat her right. He appears to be a good guy from what I’ve seen, but I’m team Mel all the way.
He felt so guilty for not following me into my office, particularly when he noticed the door was locked. I finally had to put my foot down after his continued apologies. It’s really not his fault. I think he feels guilty for stopping to flirt with Mel. Something he confessed to me quite contritely. He didn’t do anything wrong in my book.
Jacob’s been MIA the whole day, and I’m starting to get concerned. He’s not texting me back or answering my calls. That’s not like him at all. The thing is, I’m too damn exhausted to do anything about it today. I just want to grab some food and collapse on my sofa. Thankfully, Evan offers to drive me home and grab some takeout on the way.
You could call Damon. Ask him to check on Jacob.
Part of me wants to do that. Call him up, lean on him, and let him take care of me, but I can’t be selfish right now. He’s got Lexi to take careof, and that has to be his top priority. Besides, it’s not like I can’t look after myself. I’m completely fine. Just tired. And hungry. But I’ve still got this.
Evan continues to apologize the whole way home, and I’m so tired, I let him, until I can’t take it any longer.
“Evan, no more apologizing allowed. I’m okay, and you did fine. Please stop beating yourself up. There’s absolutely no need,” I say as calmly and emphatically as possible.
“I’m so…Ugh.. You’re right. Sorry.”
I give him a reassuring smile. He really is a sweet kid. I don’t want him to feel guilty, especially since everything turned out fine.
I grab my food and Abby before wishing him a good night. After the Matilda thing, I’m keeping Evan around for another week, at least. The security company is still finishing up my house security system, so there have been security personnel here on and off every day. It’s reassuring to have them around after the craziness of today. I gobble my food down and head upstairs. There’s a hot shower calling my name.
When I finally slide into bed at last, it seems empty and cold. I miss Damon. Despite how exhausted I am, sleep takes a long time finding me, and when it finally does, it’s full of disturbing dreams.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Damon
There’s an eerie quiet in the office when I arrive this morning. Mel is at her desk working hard as usual, but she doesn’t give me her customary cheery greeting. Just a small smile and a slight wave. Matilda the Hun is also absent from her desk, but I certainly don’t miss her snarky morning retorts. Joslyn’s and Jacob’s offices are dark, so it looks like they aren’t in, either. Joslyn hasn’t texted me since I left her place yesterday morning, and I’ve sent her several texts. I assumed that she was having a really busy day, but something isn’t right. I can feel it. I have a new coach interview in fifteen minutes, and I need to prep, but as soon as that’s done, I’m going to find out what the hell is going on.
Mel’s already done my interview prep. She’s the best. It’s behind my daily schedule, and a list of questions is attached as well. Despite that, everything feels off-kilter today. I have no idea if anyone else is showing up for this interview other than me and Sean Quinn, the current head coach at Boston University. I still haven’t heard about the interview Joslyn did yesterday. I jot down a note to remind myself to ask her about it. God knows, when she’s around, work is the last thing on my mind.
The interview situation is nerve-wracking because all three of us had planned to be present. Now Joslyn and Jacob are MIA, and I have no ideawhat to expect. Okay, maybe I’m panicking a bit. It’s not like I haven’t interviewed coaches before. I can do this.
There’s a knock on my open door. I glance up to see Mel wearing a compassionate but contrite smile.
“Did you see the questions for your interview? Jacob sent them over. He’s sorry he can’t be here, but he has every faith in you to handle this.” Her confident voice soothes my nerves and pulls me back from the edge of panic. “Also, I don’t think that Joslyn’s going to be in after yesterday’s disaster, but I’m sure you already knew that. How is she?”
That feeling of dread I’ve had all morning coils tightly in the pit of my stomach.
“What disaster?” I practically growl at her.
She starts, eyes wide with alarm, before they slide to the side, and she’s unable to meet my gaze.
“I haven’t talked to her since yesterday morning. Mel? Talk to me.”
She shies away and starts to back out the door. I don’t want her to think I’m angry at her, so I resort to the only reasonable alternative. I beg.
“Mel, please?” I entreat shamelessly, I need to know what the fuck is going on. At this point, I’ll abandon my pride for information.
She finally looks up, uncertainty written on her face.
“At least tell me she’s okay. I’m dying here.” My plea seems to give her the push she needs, and she steels her spine.
“Yes, she’s perfectly fine, physically.” She’s still hesitating, so I prompt her. Hunching her shoulders, she won’t look me in the eye.
My anxiety about the situation keeps escalating.
“But...”
