Grinding (Portland Icehawks #6)

1. Grateful for the Opportunity

Chapter One

GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY

~~Inez~~

I grab my tablet and hustle into Mr. B’s office. Stanley Barlowe is president of the Portland Icehawks hockey team and a billionaire with a diverse portfolio beyond owning a sports team. The man is a Portland legend descended from early settlers in the area. The Barlowe family is respected not only for their wealth but for their generous charitable contributions to local causes.

And I’m lucky enough to work for this legend. I started out as an intern right out of high school for one of his business interests. After a few years, I was promoted when his longtime assistant retired suddenly after marrying for the first time at the ripe old age of sixty-three.

I’ve been with Mr. B ever since, almost eight years now.

“Mr. B?” I sit down in the chair across from his formidable desk, almost as formidable as the man behind it. I’m all business, as usual, and he appreciates that about me.

“Inez.” He leans forward and steeples his hands. I hold my breath. When he does that, something big is coming.

“Yes?” I’m all ears. Mr. B doesn’t do anything half-assed. From the way his intensity is ramped up another notch, this is something epic. I hold my breath and wait, while inwardly speculating about what’s to come. I muse as to whether or not this meeting is related to my application for assistant director of team finance. My original concentration in my college courses was accounting, though I never finished my degree. I do have three years of related classes under my belt.

“You’ve served me well over the years. I’ve found your calm presence, keen insights, and practical advice to be invaluable. You were with this team before it became a reality. You’ve grown and learned. Your knowledge of hockey is impressive and highlights your commitment to the team. You started at ground zero and dived in with both feet.”

“Thank you.” I’m humbled by his praise. Mr. B doesn’t praise often, and when he does, it’s a big deal. My confidence soars, and I’m certain he’s going to offer me the finance position, except for one troubling fact. Lindsey Phillips as director of finance should be giving me this news, not Mr. B.

A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. He’s enjoying making me wait. Anticipation races through me. I’ve been coveting that position ever since it was announced a month ago. I’m ambitious, and I’m driven. I’ve worked my ass off learning every facet of professional hockey and this team. I’m ready for this new challenge.

“Congratulations, Inez. You’re the new assistant general manager of the Portland Icehawks.”

My mouth drops open as I gape at him. All I can manage is a gurgle in response. It’s as if the gift of speech has deserted me. Mr. B’s grin spreads across his face. He’s enjoying my speechlessness. It’s rare that he catches me completely off guard, but he has. Surely this is some strange joke. He does have a unique sense of humor, which sometimes escapes my practical self. Or maybe I heard him wrong.

We do have an assistant GM opening. The former holder of that position quit abruptly last week. His mother is very ill, and he’s gone home to be near her.

Finally, I untangle my tongue. “You mean assistant director of finance, right?” I ask for clarification.

“No, you heard me correctly. I’m promoting you to assistant general manager of the Portland Icehawks.”

My brain rejects what he’s saying. I still can’t believe my ears. “You’re kidding.”

“I’ve never been more serious in my life.”

“I have no experience. No degree. Nothing. I’m sure there are more qualified candidates out there.” I didn’t point out that I’d never applied for this job.

“There are, but I want you for all the reasons I mentioned above. There isn’t one person who is more qualified than you when it comes to dedication to this team and our core mission. I need someone who’s been with us from the beginning and understands the fan base. That’s you. Not some guy from back east who’s never set foot in our fair city.”

“Are you sure?” I’m flabbergasted. There’s no other way of putting it. I straighten the wrinkles in my black skirt, giving me a moment to process this information. When I raise my head and meet his gaze, he’s still grinning.

“One hundred percent. I trust you. You work hard. You deserve to be rewarded.”

“But I?—”

“Don’t fret. Brian will train you. You can’t ask for anyone better to show you the ropes.”

“Does he know about this?” I know for a fact that Brian has a favorite in mind for this position, and it’s not me.

“Yes.” His smile fades briefly before he recovers. Something’s not right.

“Yes? Is he on board?”

“I have no doubt you’ll prove your value to him within a short period of time, just like you’ve proven invaluable to me.”

“But I love my job with you.”

“And you’ve earned a promotion.”

“But what about your admin?”

“Who would you suggest?”

“I—uh, Shelby?”

“Are you sure she can handle the pressure?”

“There’s only one way to find out.”

“There’s one more caveat.”

“Okay.” I sit up straight and tuck my hands primly in my lap.

“There are concerns regarding your friendships with my granddaughter, our team captain, and some of the other players. I’m not asking you to cut off those friends, but you have to be hands-off like Brian with everyone else. And regarding those players you are close to, you won’t be involved in any decisions or information regarding their contract status, such as Dash and Drakos.”

“Of course.” My head spins as I try to make sense of what’s just happened.

“Then you’ll take the job?”

I’m not aware I have a choice. Regardless, I never dreamed I’d be offered a position like this, and I’m going to make the most of the opportunity.

“Do I want this job? Damn right, I want this job. I’ll do you proud, Mr. B, I promise.”

“I expect nothing less.” Mr. B is never one to waste a moment of time. “All right, then. It’s settled. Brian’s waiting to meet with you next.” He turns to his computer monitor, a sure sign I’ve been dismissed.

“Thank you.” I don’t know what else to say, but I hesitate. “If this doesn’t work out, can I have this job back?”

“Of course, but it will work out. Let’s evaluate in four months.” He meets my gaze with his signature steely stare telegraphing that failure is not an option.

“After the regular season ends?”

“Exactly. In the meantime, Shelby will be my acting assistant, and we’ll promote Addison’s intern to be the marketing administrative assistant. I hear he’s been asking about full-time work now that he’s graduated.”

“Okay.” I stand and leave the room. I’m bombarded with a million thoughts, doubts, and worries. In the outer office, I glance over at Shelby, the shy assistant for Addison Barlowe. I’m as concerned about her as I am about myself. I’m not sure either of us is up to the task.

I hesitate, considering whether or not to tell Shelby about her promotion. I decide to wait and make the announcement over lunch. Meanwhile, I walk the short distance down the hallway to Brian Werkle’s office. The empty office adjacent to his will be my new digs. At least, that’s what I assume.

The door is ajar to my new office. I peek my head inside. It’s smaller than Brian’s or Mr. B’s, but it has a window with a nice view of Portland. I’m already setting up shop in my head.

Turning, I continue my trek and knock on Brian’s office door, which is shut. I’m surprised to see my hand is shaking. I’m nervous, while usually I’m rock solid when it comes to outward displays of emotion.

“Come in.”

I can’t ascertain his mood from those two words, so I take a deep breath and enter. Here goes nothing.

“Mr. Werkle, Mr. B told me his plans.”

“Call me Brian. No need to be formal. We’ve worked together for years.”

We have, but never under a boss-employee relationship. This promotion totally changes the dynamics.

“So, Stan told you?”

“Yes, but I wonder—are you okay with this?” I have to know. After all, I’m not sure I’m okay with this. I know he had someone else in mind and can’t be happy with his boss’s decision.

Brian shrugs. His expression is carefully schooled into neutrality. At least he’s not outwardly displaying disapproval. Who knows what he really thinks? Sometimes it’s better not to know.

“I’m fully aware I don’t have all the necessary skills for this position?—”

Brian interrupts me. “Anyone can learn skills. What’s hard to teach is a knack for choosing the right players to go along with our coaching strategies, balancing the salary cap, and looking into the future at our prospects and possible draft choices.” He levels me with one of his pointed glares. “You think you can do that?”

I push away my doubts and fears and assume an air of confidence I don’t have. “I believe I can. I catch on fast. I’m good with numbers. I’m super organized.”

“All of which I’m aware of. What I need to hear from you is that you’re willing to live and breathe hockey to the exclusion of all else in your life. You’ll make the necessary sacrifices required of the position no matter how much it interferes with your private life.”

I nod but resist the urge to tell him the truth. I don’t have a private life. I’m not dating anyone. I rarely see my dysfunctional family. Besides, I’ve been married to this organization since its inception. “I welcome the opportunity to immerse myself in this job. I may be relatively new to hockey compared to most of the staff here, but I love the sport passionately. I haven’t missed watching a game since the first puck drop almost two years ago. I’ll do everything in my power to make the team successful.”

“That’s what I want to hear.” A small smile played at the corners of Brian’s mouth. I sit back in my chair and breathe a sigh of relief. I couldn’t have predicted Brian’s reaction to my promotion, but he’s a team player, and he’s making the best of the situation.

“I know I’m not your first choice, but I promise I’ll make you proud.”

“You’re right I had someone else in mind, a former player who’s been in the league for years, but, Inez, I do have faith in you. I’ve been impressed with your dedication and work ethic over the past few years. My only concern, and I brought this up to Stan, is that you have existing friendships with players. If you haven’t noticed, I don’t hang out with players.”

“I understand.”

“Stan and I won’t force you to give up your current friendships, but there can’t be any new ones. You’ll need to project the image of complete impartiality and professionalism.”

“Mr. B explained everything to me. Drakos, Briggs, Jakob Bang, and Dash will be handled solely by you.”

“Good. I think that’s all for now. Anything you need, please ask. My goal is for you to be successful because I’m all about what’s good for the team.”

“Where do I start?” I’m a task-oriented go-getter, and I’m ready.

“Move into the office next to mine. Spend the day getting acquainted with your new position. I expect you to monitor the waiver wire for players who’d be assets to the Icehawks. Study our young guys not just with our minor league team but also our draft picks who’re playing in the juniors. The scouts will inform you of new developments, and you’ll prepare a weekly report for me. If anything needs my immediate attention, I expect to be informed as soon as possible. You’ll be closely monitoring our salary cap status and studying ways to free up cap space to improve our team.”

“I can do all that.”

“Good.” Brian stands and walks me to his office door.

“Thank you for being so welcoming. I truly appreciate your support.”

He smiles. “You’ll do fine. Stan tells me that you have an innate ability for recognizing patterns and issues and predicting future directions. He insists that you’ll be invaluable in no time.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“That’s all we can expect of anyone.” Brian nods once and leaves me to return to his desk.

I’m already formulating a plan for the remainder of the day. First things first. I must tell Shelby about her promotion and prep her for her new position. I know her, and she’ll be scared shitless. She’s a timid thing, but I also trust her. She’ll do fine once she gains confidence. Shelby’s subbed for me in the past when I’ve been out of the office, and Mr. B spoke highly of her. He’ll be in good hands.

Once I move into my office, I’ll spend the evening going over our prospects and checking the waiver wire. We’ve had a few injuries lately and could use an experienced third- or fourth-liner to fill the vacancy.

I grin to myself. I can do this. I will do this. And I’m grateful for the opportunity.