“Good decision, Baby,” he croons. “I won’t let anything bad happen to you or your career. I’ll tear social media apart before anyone gets a chance to post one bad thing about the woman I can’t get enough of.”
29
. . .
Drew
It’s been a week since I got back from Vancouver and even longer since I last saw Will. As we approach the holidays, the regular hockey season always intensifies, and the Rogues have been on the road more than at home.
I guess I should be grateful for Will’s absence because for the first time in my life, I’ve fallen behind on work. This morning, a follow-up email from one of my other clients landed in my inbox.
My reply was an apology, explaining that I’d been out of town for work. I hate lying to anyone, let alone the people who literally pay my salary, but what was I supposed to say?
My apologies, Malcolm, but now that I’m taking a short break from screwing the star Rogues forward, I’ll be able to actually do my fucking job.
Once I’ve stopped daydreaming about that kiss against the tree or the way he sucked on my neck while we spooned all night on my sister’s couch, I tune back in to reality and Colton’s voice. The monthly staff meeting is mid-flow, and I pray that my boss isn’t expecting me to engage in the conversation.
The boardroom is packed with my colleagues, all of whom I’m convinced can read my mind. Or maybe it’s just the guilt telling me that they can.
Lydia sits opposite me, smiling away at Colton as she updates him on the portfolio of clients I know she hasn’t expanded upon in months. Perhaps if she took more interest in her own work rather than mine, she might have something exciting to report in these meetings.
“And how about other collaborations, Drew? I know you’ve been working on multiple, so do we have any offers?”
I shift in my chair, trying to recall the exact details of a recent deal a large watch brand put forward. I know it was decent, but the day they emailed, I was giving Will a blow job in a gondola, and that’s all I can think about right now.
“We received an offer, yes. Will has various opportunities on the table, either at offer stage or still in negotiation. I have presented all of the details to Will and his agent, and they are currently thinking them over.”
From across the room, I ignore Lydia’s narrowed eyes and focus on Colton.
He scratches at the back of his neck. “Correct me if I’m wrong here, Drew, but I’m struggling to see what needs to be considered. Is Will inundated with collaborations at this time? Because that would be news to me.”
I feel my cheeks flush hot, and I unbutton my jacket, desperate to get comfortable when I can feel at least twenty pairs of eyes boring into me.
“Um …” I clear my throat, voice overcome with nervous energy. “I’m not saying that he won’t take the deal, but my client is being cautious to select the right collaborations and not overstretch himself.” I pause and grin at Colton. “He’s reluctant to become a walking billboard.” For the first time since I walked into this stuffy boardroom, I feel like I’m talking sense. “Will’s main objective is to build his performances on the ice and not get waylaid with photo shoots and other non-hockey-related obligations. So, while I think he will take many of the opportunities that come his way, I?—”
“Is that not literally the definition of your job—to secure as many collaborations for your client as possible? Or am I out of touch with the industry?”
Offering Lydia a sweet smile instead of a scowl, I tip my head to one side. “What good is a client if they’re too exhausted to properly fulfill their contracts? My job is to raise Will’s profile while protecting his well-being at the same time. Blindly pursuing deals for the sake of it is counterintuitive and an outdated approach I’m not accustomed to.”
If looks could kill, I’d be lying in a pool of my own blood right now while Lydia hovers over my body with a knife.
“I think finding a middle ground is the ideal scenario,” Colton speaks up.
“Or maybe trying to steal clients and pretending like nothing happened is on trend these days?” Lydia’s cynical tone cuts through the room, leaving nothing but silence in her wake.
Colton rears back, and my eyes rove around the space.
Who is she referring to?
“Oh, come on, Drew. I’m growing tired of this innocent act you carry when everyone is watching.” Lydia’s voice grows louder before she points her finger at me. “When were you going to tell me about Silas Stanton requesting a switch to your management, or were you hoping to keep it quiet?”
“Right!” Colton claps his hands together. “I think that’s a wrap for today’s meeting.”
Apart from me, my boss, and Lydia, everyone begins filing out of the room. Low-grade murmurs pass between the last people to leave before they close the boardroom door behind them.
I stare at my empty laptop screen, a mixture of rage and confusion coating my insides.
“I haven’t stolen any of your clients, Lydia,” I quietly reply as Colton takes a seat, but she remains standing.
