Will
What if I cover my dick with a hand?
Me
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
“You and Will sure do like texting a lot.”
I have zero idea how long Lydia has been standing behind me, but as she props her bitchy ass on the corner of my desk and I casually lock my phone and set it screen down next to me, I wish she would disappear underground and never return.
“We have a lot to talk about,” I reply. “And like I said, building a good rapport with your clients is the key to long-term success.”
She twists her lips in thought, and I just know some of her bright pink lipstick will be on her teeth. It always is.
“Colton really gave you your big break, assigning Will to your management. Add in the fact that you’re his coach’s daughter, and I guess the stakes are set really high for you to tame the wild rookie.”
I shake my head and shoot Will the calendar invite he was convinced we didn’t need.
“I’m not trying to tame anyone. I’m here to help Will maximize his potential.”
She scoffs, and my patience with this woman wears a little thinner.
“Girl, I hate to break it to you, but that guy is a lost cause. No one is capable of turning him into a responsible public figure.”
If jealousy had a face, I’d be looking at it right now.
“Did you want Will as a client and missed out?”
Her jaw pops open as she slides off the table and stands up straight. “Let’s be really real here, Drew.” Lydia plants a palm on my desk and leans in so only I can hear her next words. “Colton only gave you Will because of who your dad is and not because of yourextensiveexperience in the PR field.”
Of all the responses Lydia could’ve given me, weaponizing my dad’s position in hockey and turning it against me was the worst possible outcome.
“Let me make a suggestion, Lydia.” I drop my voice and narrow my eyes at her. “How about you work on retaining the clients in your portfolio?” I lean in a little closer. “And I’ll focus on working with one of the nicest guys in hockey with an even brighter future.” I clear my throat, hating that people view Will as a lost cause when he’s anything but that. “And I would appreciate it if you never spoke about my client like that ever again.”
9
. . .
Will
“We’re all heading out for a meal tonight. How about you join us?”
Taking a large pull from my water bottle, I smile gratefully at Silas when he enters the conversation and interrupts my workout with the most annoying person I’ve ever met.
Tristan Vaughn.
Jackassdoesn’t even cover it.
At twenty-six and having played pro for seven years, this guy has a rep for being a dick, and, jeez, does he live up to it. How the hell we’ll pull off playing on the same forward line without me throat-punching him in the first period I have no idea.
“I’m busy tonight,” I confirm, dropping the dumbbell in my left hand to the soft black mat beneath my feet. “I have a meeting with Drew.”
Silas bends down to pick up the dumbbell and sets it back on the rack behind me. “How are things going with her?”
Curling my bicep, I blow out a slow breath and repeat the rep with the dumbbell in my right hand.
The last time Drew and I were in the same room together, I was trying to hide the hookup I’d just had with my PT. The samePT who now can’t look me in the eyes when I’m lying on her treatment bed.
