“I will do anything to make sure my poor decision-making doesn’t affect him.”
“Then let’s make sure you have your story straight tonight,” Charlotte says.
I raise an eyebrow. “It’s not a story.”
“True, but there’s a way to spin everything—even the truth. And we need to make sure you don’t accidentally shoot yourself in the foot by giving them information they don’t need.” She pulls out her phone. “We’re going to need some ice cream.”
***
“Thanks for fitting me in this morning,” I say, my stomach churning as I sit in the chair across from Greg White. I force my face into neutrality. Culture of accountability. I can do this.
“Of course,” he replies with the warm smile I don’t deserve. “You know I’ll always make time for you. What brings you in today? Already researched who you think my department should trade for this off-season?” he asks, teasing.
I bite the inside of my cheek, telling myself to rip off the Band-Aid. Delaying this any longer isn’t going to help anyone. “Unfortunately, no.”
“Oh?” He lifts his eyebrows in surprise.
“No. I need to file an official report.”
I almost miss the sharp inhale he takes as his hands dip into his right-hand drawer. “Okay. Let me get the templates. What kind of report are we filing today?”
It’s clear he’s done this before, at least a few times. Or paid a lot of attention during the training session. He’s calm, making no assumptions.
“I need to file a formal report for inappropriate workplace relations.”
His eyes betray him this time, narrowing with anger. “And who”—he takes a deep breath—“is the complaint against?”
The way he elongates the “s” in the word makes me realize that he’s got it wrong. He thinks someone was harassing me.
I shake my head, a sad smile pulling my cheeks. “Me.”
“I know, but who was the ma—personacting inappropriately?”
Damn my fucking heart and the way it’s clenching right now.
“I was the one who acted inappropriately.”
His gaze snaps to mine. “You?”
“Yes. I apologize for not being more clear.”
He tilts his head, almost as if he doesn’t believe what he’s hearing. Finally, he suggests, “Why don’t we start at the beginning?”
So I do.
I tell him about my crush on Kane in high school. Admit I should’ve been more open when I knew Kane may be considered for a trade. I talk about Lilly and how we fell in love with our selected charity. How we decided we had to win The Great Yeti Challenge. How we became reluctant friends. The doctor’s decision to put him on IR. The snowstorm. Calling it off.
Just like Charlotte and I planned, I make sure I’m firm about the timeline. That we started spending time together because it was mandated by the team. That there was nothing romantic until the snowstorm, which, as I made sure to remind him, was after Kane was on the IR. That it in no way impacted my coaching decisions at any time.
White asks questions, making sure he understands everything.
I do not bring up what happened in the hotel room because, as Charlotte pointed out numerous times, we were not in the same room. We were not on the phone. We just happened to be engaging in solo-sexual activities at the same time, which is not a punishable offense. And it’s for the best: I do not need to discuss masturbation with my coworker unless absolutely necessary.
“I think I have everything I need,” he announces finally. “Can you sign on the bottom of this form?”
I flex my fingers, forcing them to stop trembling before wrapping them around the grip of the pen. “There you go.”
“I have to talk with Eli in HR before anything is certain, but for now, I need you to go home. You can stop by your office if you need to grab anything, but don’t send any emails or talk to anyone other than to say hello. Eli and I will follow up with you in a couple of hours.”
