Electric blue staring back at me through the reflection of a watermarked mirror, faces flushed. Every time I covertly snuck glances of him at the party, his kind eyes crinkled in laughter at whatever his friends said. Later, the lamppost light reflected off them like a flash of lightning while he tried to get me to crack a smile.
I see that blueeverywhere, even when I close my eyes to sleep. I can’t escape them. He consumes my thoughts, even in my dreams.
I’ve made a mess—a delicious, complicated mess.
“Miss McKallen?” An annoyed voice jolts me out of my thoughts, and embarrassment makes my body flush with heat.
I sit up straighter. “Yes, Lawrence?”
Chapman scoffs. “Are you even paying attention? Shouldn’t themajority shareholder, as you love to remind us, be more present in the meeting?”
The flat stare I give him would make most men wither. “Of course. Your earlier observation about our revenue stream just got my mind running. I’ve been brainstorming ways we can increase match attendance, as well as raise sales for team merchandise along with food and beverage. I have a connection with ties to some nationwide beer brands I’m going to reach out to for a meeting. I think we could partner with them to get a Knightsbridge-specific brew,something you can only get here during a match. It would have its own label, and we can look into branding for souvenir cups and mark up the price by an extra two pounds. Then there’s a few food companies I’ve worked with that I want to speak to about elevating the food here. Sausage rolls are classic, but I think we can take it a step further, source from local farms to support our economy and garner good relations with hard working individuals as opposed to mega corporations. I’d like for us to appeal to everyone, no matter their socio-economic standing. A partnership with an established brand will help bring in new guests, but contributing to local business will build the community, and that keeps people coming back.”
I survey the boardroom, and nearly every face looks impressed—all but one, and that one looks pissed.
“If you have any suggestions, I’m all ears. I’m not the only one on this board, and everyone’s opinion is valuable,” I add, leaning forward with my elbows on the table, resting my chin on the tops of my hands.
Ron looks like he wants to chime in, but Lawrence spears him with a look, and he slumps back in his chair, remaining quiet.
That’s a problem. Chapman fancies himself a god here, and everyone fears speaking out against him. I need to figure out how to nip that in the ass if we are ever going to be a team that succeeds. We need to be a well-oiled machine for every aspect to run smoothly, to set an example for all the other sectors of the stadium. I also need the men who are afraid of Lawrence to speak up for themselves, because it’s clear he’s not going to listen to me. I’m not in the habit of babysitting grown men who like to throw temper tantrums every time they don’t get their way.
“No one?” I urge, but the room remains quiet. “Alright, well, as a reminder, the Kingdom for Kids Gala is in a few weeks’ time, and as donors, all of us should be in attendance. Please plan accordingly.” I don’t know much about our place in the organization or how we came to bebenefactors, but I got an email from them this morning to confirm our contribution.
A loud bang reverberates around the room as Lawrence slaps his hands on the table, standing up from his chair. “Well, gents,” he says, negating my presence. He slaps his stomach. “Time to get home to the missus, fill my belly, and empty my balls.” The men around him chuckle, even as a few uneasy glances flit my way.
“I’m sure your wife looks forward to you coming home each night,” I say sarcastically, standing from my chair at the head of the table and grabbing my bag to walk out of the room.
The stairs are looking like a great option, even in my stilettos, just so I can avoid being stuck in a tiny steel box with men and their over-inflated egos. I’m halfway down when the door pushes open and slams closed, loud footsteps sauntering down the stairs behind me.
“I’m curious,” Lawrence starts. “Who do you think you are, speaking to me like that?”
I don’t stop, continuing my descent. “I don’t know, Lawrence. Who do you think you are being a blatant misogynist at every chance?”
“It’s locker room chat with the lads. Lighten up.”
“You aren’t in a locker room, and they aren’t your lads. You’re a walking HR violation.” Never mind the horrendous hypocrisy of that statement. I could hardly call him on violations when the captain of my team’s been inside me on two occasions now.
“I’m above HR violations,” he scoffs.
“The fact that you think that proves you shouldn’t hold sole responsibility for the team.” I finally stop and turn to face him. “The rules are in place to protecteveryoneunder the Legends umbrella. No one is above them. You aren’t God, Lawrence.”
“And you think you are?
“No. Just themajority shareholder, and if you won’t give me the respect my position deserves, then I'll justtakeit.” Ispin on my heel and push out the door at the bottom of the steps.
“You’ll trip up eventually, Miss McKallen,” he shouts after me, “and when you do, I can’t wait to see you break your ankle falling in those fuck me heels.”
I don’t stumble at his words. I don’t tense. I don’t let him see the apprehension coating my body like hoarfrost. Because thereissomething that could make me trip up if it were to get out.
Crystalline blue clouds my vision as I climb into the car I called to pick me up, ignoring the churning that’s started low in my gut.
“I got you a chippy from the shop, but they were all out of vinegar—a sin, I know. I hope you have some—” A crash comes from the kitchen, and my stomach drops as I rush into the other room to find my father on the floor.
Tossing the takeaway bag on the table, I drop down at his side. “Dad! Hold on, let me call for an ambulance.” My usually organized bag is a labyrinth of crap in the way of me finding my phone. “Just hold on. I can’t find my phone.”
“Jade,” Dad’s gruff tone calls out, grunting with effort.
“I don’t know why I let you convince me to only have Myrah on part-time, I’m asking her tomorrow if she can take on more hours. You shouldn’t be alone.”
