“They won’t.” Theo glances at me nervously. “I mean, Brad won’t, and I’ll remind him why he shouldn’t let Auggie go after either of us.”
Mr. Dimon steeples his fingers. “Don’t involve us in a blackmail situation.”
Theo shrugs, and Finn turns to Mr. Dimon for direction.
Within fifteen minutes, we’re booked on the podcast, and the entire team has to pack up and leave so we can be back in New York to be on the show. We could do it remotely, but that would delay everything.
The podcast tapes in a sketchy area of the city. I pride myself on being able to blend in, but with blond Theo, our massive bodyguard, and twinky Finn, it’s not possible.
The inside of the studio is much nicer. Lots of sound equipment and padded office chairs to sit in while we record. Finn greets everyone and thanks them for the short notice and quick turnaround.
“We weren’t going to miss out on the biggest scandal in hockey since Dumas accused Ace of hitting him and then sued your trainer.” He shakes our hands. “Call me Auggie.”
“Grayson Ward,” I say loudly. “His name is Grayson.” I stare at Auggie, daring him to start a fight. I’m not sure who I am anymore.
Finn and Auggie go over the rundown for the show, and Brad glares at Theo.
“I wouldn’t have said anything,” Brad spits out.
“It’s not like we’re friends. You made that clear.” Theo stands taller.
We’ve been in meetings and media briefings all day, so I haven’t been alone with Theo to ask about Brad.
I drag Theo into a small hallway. “I’m not doing this until you tell me about you and Brad.” I spit his name like a curse word.
“Are you jealous?” His face cracks with a magnificent smile. “Will I get to see the devil in you? Can’t wait.”
“I deserve to know if I’m talking to your ex,” I say with an arched brow, not taking the sexual bait he’s throwing.
“He’s not my ex, Maj. You don’t have anything to worry about.” Theo folds me into his embrace. “We fooled around, and I have photo evidence in case he turned on me.”
“We arenottalking to someone who uses sexuality as a weapon.” I’m ready to leave and form a new plan.
“He’s a good guy. I was the paranoid asshole.” Theo looks worried this will be the thing that comes between us. “Can we play jealous partner later?” he deflects.
His face crumbles then brightens when I say, “I owe my kitten a night of worship. But if being worshipped means seeing the devil, that can be arranged.”
Before he can respond, one of the assistants finds us, shows us where to sit, and tests our equipment. They film their interviews for their YouTube channel.
Auggie and Brad do the show intro, and we start off slow, giving our backgrounds and explaining how we didn’t grow up together and resented each other. Finn signals I should fix my face. I crack my neck and let go of my animosity for Brad.
Brad: It sounds like there was lots of bad blood between the two of you.
Me: Yes, I thought he’d been handed all the privileges I was denied, and Theo was sent away and constantly compared to me, always falling short.
Auggie: But that changed when O’Keefe was traded to the Enforcers?
Theo: It’s easier to hate someone from far away. It’s much harder when you’re on the same team and in the locker room together. None of the things I heard about Jamal growing up matched the person I met.
Me: It was a gradual thing to become friends.
I nudge my knee against Theo’s under the table, thankful to touch him without notice.
Brad: So the rivalry wasn’t made up by the media?
Theo: No.
Me: It was sensationalized but not fabricated.
