“No!” she cries. “Of course not.” I laugh to show her I’m joking, and she chuckles too. “I lived with cameras for a big chunk of my life. I know how disruptive it can be. And I’m asking you to move across the country. To Colorado.”
“It sounds like you’re the one who’s about to back out.” I find myself wishing I could have this conversation with Libby in person, watch her smile and laugh. She’s beautiful and obviously kind, the way she’s making sure I don’t get in over my head because she gave my foundation ten million dollars. I’m going to enjoy working with her. I can already tell.
She lets out a breathy laugh. “It feels like you’re saying yes so easily.”
I sober. “I’m saying yes for my family. For my neighbors. For coaches and teachers who shaped my life. Thatisan easy choice for me.”
“Oh, Jordan Atkinson,” she says softly. She murmurs something that I don’t catch and then huffs. “You’re too good to be true. I’m going to have to keep my eye on you.”
And she sounds completely serious.
I hang up a few minutes later, grinning at the phone. Guess I’d better look into moving to Denver.
CHAPTER 5
LIBBY
With Jordan accepting the job, by the time Monday morning rolls around, I’m more than confident about how well my plans are working out. He’s already sent me over a few ideas that line up well with things I’ve researched, as well as player and coaching decisions I wouldn’t have known the first thing about. All that’s left is one last meeting with the league’s governing board for the final approval of the sale.
The morning drags on, even though I try to busy myself with work. There’s plenty to do with me handing over the reins of my firm to Candace, and the last case I oversaw still needs my notes added to it in case the firm has to revisit it for any reason.
With an hour left until the meeting, my custom notifications alert me to my name showing up in a post fromCelebrity Newz. It’s a gossip site that has been a blessing and a curse to the Bennet family over the years. They’ve always been big fans of the Bennets, a plus. But that also means they report on every little thing related to us. Unfortunately, my lack of concentration means I’m all too happy to put aside reviewing the case to check the post out.
I can’t decide if it’s a mistake or not to look when I see thatthey’re posting about Grayson’s latest motion to get a reduced sentence because of some sentencing guideline changes in the last few years. On the one hand, thinking abouthimright before my meeting is a distraction I definitely don’t need. On the other hand, being referred to as “Hollis’s victim, Libby Bennet” steels my resolve to make sure I’m referred to alongside Grayson as little as possible from now on. What’s wrong with “successful businesswoman Libby Bennet”?
I’m tagged in comments on the post, of course. I never read comments like that, but thanks to the algorithm, they’re right at the top, including one from @bennetfanz100:Libby had lunch with a former Outlaws player last week. Athletes are her Achilles heel. Stay away and stay safe, @libby.bennet.
I close my eyes, praying for patience. Fans like this have good intentions. They’re the kind of fans that rallied when Ellie called them to action ten years ago to help find me. But it proves why I need to change things. They’ll never stop seeing me as the seventeen-year-old girl they need to protect.
I close out of the app and turn off the notifications for a while. I need to focus.
I pull up one of the emails Jordan sent me yesterday with a list of coaches we should look at. The old coach retired at the end of last season, so we really do have to start from the ground up. I’m guessing there are guys on staff or something that want to move up, but I do want the best. I just don’t know who that is.
I lose track of time until Erin, the assistant director forBeing Libby Bennet, taps on my open door and then steps inside. “The camera guy is here. You okay for us to come in and set up?”
I nod. “Yep. Getting ready to log on.” The crew here today is small. They’re going to film the meeting, edit out anything proprietary, and use it as part of the first episode to set up my story.
My nerves jump as she waves the crew in. It’s happening. “This is a formality,” I tell myself softly. The deal is as good asdone. When the camera guy is in place, I open my laptop and log in for the video meeting with the league president and a handful of the executives at the central office. This meeting is so they can pass on the approval of the governing board—representatives from the teams in the league—for the sale. I rub my sweaty hands on my pencil skirt and nod firmly to myself.
I put Erin and the camera guy out of my head and focus. Pretending they’re not there comes back to me quickly. When people start joining the call, I’m ready and smiling. I greet them warmly and professionally, remembering names and everything. I’ve been around executives like this my whole life. My dad owns the Houston Pumas professional football team. Even the most casual backyard barbecues at my house growing up always had other team owners or league executives included.
“Hello, everyone,” I say when they’ve all logged on. “I want to remind you that my camera crew is here. They’ll be sending the edited footage over to you later to make sure you approve of what they keep.”
The league president, Kenneth Stevens, who loved the idea of featuring the White Wolves on my show, gives me a thumbs-up. “Let’s get down to business,” he says.
“Sounds great,” I reply, and inwardly cringe at that awkward response. It’s fine, Libby, totally fine.
“I’ll be honest—” he begins, and I freeze, slight smile still in place.I’ll be honestnever prefaces good news. It’s fine, I repeat to myself. Whatever concern they’re about to bring up, I can handle it. I’ll convince them. I have to. I glance over at Erin, who’s taking notes on an iPad and not looking at me. The contracts are already signed forBeing Libby Bennet, and it includes running a hockey team as the hook.
I quickly snap back to attention as Mr. Stevens goes on. “The board has brought up some concerns about your ownership,” he continues.
I wait patiently for him to address them. No need to lookovereager by jumping in. Stay calm and cool, Libby. Easier said than done. My brain starts spinning on what I’m going to do to fix whatever problem he’s about to bring up.
“You’re young.” He nods at me indulgently, and I adjust my expression to one of professional understanding. “And there is the fact that you’re not experienced with hockey.”
Movement in my peripheral vision tells me Erin’s gaze has come up. Maybe letting them film this meeting was a bad idea—but I thought this was just the bow on top of a done deal.
Besides, all those concerns have already been brought up. Since when is my money not enough? “I understand that concern. While I am only twenty-seven, I still have years of ownership experience.” I give a soft, indulgent laugh of my own. Others chuckle, and even Mr. Stevens smiles agreeably. “The principles of success are the same—hiring the best. To start with, I’ve already hired an expert consultant to help me. I’ll expect the best from existing staff and any new hires as well. You have nothing to worry about.”
