13. Cami
Cami
O ffering my hand across the table to Deb I say, “We’ll talk later. Let me know how you go at work.”
“They’ll probably walk me out the door as soon as I hand in my resignation.”
“Then you’ll be able to work with me sooner.” I smile. “I’m really excited about this. I had no idea you had a degree in film.”
“I have multiple degrees. I thought I wanted to be in front of the camera but the more time I spent at FNB I changed my mind.”
“Listen, I’ve got a thing with the Rogues tonight. It’s a barbecue for the fans and I want to wander around asking random people questions as well as get some footage of the whole event. Feel like barbecue for dinner?”
“If I get walked this afternoon, definitely.”
“Even if you don’t, you can still come. I’ll get Oakley to get you a press pass so you can go anywhere but what I’d like is for you to shadow me and take some video. I’ll film any interviews the same way?—”
“How will you make that work? From what I’ve seen, you set your phone up on something then sit down to talk with the players. ”
“Hmm…I do…” Ideas roll until one takes. “What if you record? Nothing fancy, just use your phone camera, the same as the video I want of the event. I want this series to be natural, candid. Nothing staged or put together if that makes sense.”
“It makes perfect sense. You want the audience to feel like they’re there with you and whoever you talk to. Make it like they caught you talking as they walked past.”
“Yes.” I grin. “I think this is going to be a brilliant working relationship.”
Deb smiles back. “Me too. I can’t wait to get started.”
“Well, lunch is done and you’ve got a resignation to submit so…”
She pushes her chair back while rummaging in her bag.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got this. We’ll put it down as our first planning lunch.”
“Oh gosh.” She looks up, eyes wide. “This is really happening.”
“It is.”
“I can’t thank you enough for giving me this chance.”
“All the thanks I need is for you to do a good job.”
“I’ll do the best.”
I smile at my new partner. “I’m going to send you a number, it’s for my lawyer, I’ll apprise her about what we’re doing but I want you to get your own to go over the contract with. I also think you should form a company. Instead of being my employee I’ll contract you to work for me.”
“Like freelance?”
“Yes.”
“I can do that. I already have a company set up. I do the occasional job of videoing. I have a photographer friend who uses me as a videographer when her regular guy can’t do it.”
“Perfect!” I stand and shoulder my bag. “I’ll have my lawyer contact you later today with a contract for tonight.”
“I can’t wait. What time do you want me at the arena?”
“Can you swing five-thirty? ”
“Yes. If you’re okay with me wearing this?” Deb indicates the business skirt and blouse she’s wearing.
“Do you have anything else? Not that there’s anything wrong with what you’re wearing but it’s a bit formal for tonight.”
“I have a pair of jeans in my car…but no shirt.”
“That’s okay, I’ll get you a Rogues jersey or shirt. Meet me at the arena, staff parking entrance, at five-thirty and I’ll get you set up.”
“Gosh, I really hope they walk me this afternoon but I’ll go for weeks without sleep if it means getting to work with you on this.”
“I don’t normally do this but…” I grin. “I know someone who might expedite your resignation.”
“Your dad? You’d call your dad for me?”
I shrug. “Sure. I’d never do it for myself but I don’t see why I can’t do it to benefit you.”
“Thank you. But I should probably just work my two-week notice.”
“You could or…” The more I think about it, the more I know Dad will get on board with me pulling Deb across. He was harping at me yesterday about this being too much for one person. “I’ll call him. See what I can work out. You go back to the office and hand in your resignation now, make out like you intend to work out your notice, and we’ll see what happens.”
Deb walks around the table and throws her arms around me. “Thank you!”
“I should thank you. I love the suggestions you had and I’m sure between the two of us we’ll come up with some great stuff.” I pat her back as I pull away. “Now go. I’ll see you later.”
With a huge grin on her face, she says a squeaky “Bye” and leaves me standing here smiling.
My phone buzzes with a reminder that I have somewhere else I need to be. It takes me a few minutes to settle our check but then I’m out of the restaurant and heading for my car.
The first thing I do when I get behind the wheel is turn the car on and get the air going. Then I check that my phone is connected to the car’s Bluetooth system and call Dad.
“Cam! We were just talking about you.”
“Who was?”
“Mom and I.”
“Oh?”
“We were saying what a fantastic job you’re doing with these intimate interviews of the Rogues.”
“Speaking of them, I have something of a request but don’t feel as though you have to say yes.”
“What do you need?”
“I’ve got a videographer lined up to work with me on the rest of the conversations and some other things but she needs to give two weeks’ notice at her job before she can really dive into it with me.”
“Okay. How do I play in this?”
“It’s Deb. The FNB building receptionist.”
“I didn’t realize she was a videographer.”
“Neither did I. And not to malign anyone, but every time she’s tried to apply for a position more suited to her skillset, she’s been told she didn’t have the right experience.”
“And does she?”
“Yes. She showed me some of what she’s capable of.”
“And you wouldn’t hire her to work for you if she couldn’t do the job.”
“Right?” A thought occurs to me. “Wait, you said you were talking with Mom. Is she with you?”
“Yes, we’re at home having lunch.”
“Put me on speaker please.”
“You’re already on speaker, Cam,” Mom says.
“Oh, good. Okay, so Dad, the favor I have is for you to somehow get Deb’s two-week notice waived. She’s handing in her resignation as we speak with the intention of working the notice but… ”
“If I could get that dealt with, she could start full-time with you.”
“Yes. And, Mom, I need a contract for a freelance videographer. I’ll get the details of her company to you by this afternoon. She’s going to work with me tonight at the Rogues’ Fan Day barbecue.”
“And you want the contract drawn up before then?”
“Do I need to? Could we back-date it?”
“We could but I can also get it done before tonight. I’ve got the afternoon off. I was planning to spend it in the garden but it’s hot out today. Too hot for what I’d planned.”
“Are you sure? I know I’m rushing but she’s good and I want her in on this with me. Sooner than later if I can. Although I hate using my connections to make that happen.” The guilt weighing down my stomach proves my words aren’t a lie. And I’ve never done this before. Not once in my life have I asked Mom or Dad to smooth the way.
“Done.”
“I’ll call head of HR. Get Deb free this afternoon.”
“Thanks!”
“Why don’t we meet you at the barbecue?” Mom asks. “We don’t have plans for dinner, and you know we’ve become hockey fans since you got the franchise.”
“You were fans before KAW got the franchise.”
“We were but it’s our home team.”
“Nothing beats supporting your home team.”
I can hear the pleasure in their voices. It makes me proud in so many ways and all I did was hand over money to make the team happen. I’ve had nothing to do with building the team or the arena.
My phone beeps with another reminder. Shit! If I don’t get moving, I’ll be late.
“I gotta go. But I’ll call later. About four.”
“Talk then. Love you,” Mom says.
“Love you too. ”
“Need me to do anything else?” Dad asks.
“No. That’s all I need.”
“Don’t hesitate to ask if something comes up.”
“Will do. See you later.”
“You will. I’m so proud of what you’re doing, what you’ve already done.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“And, Cam?”
“Yeah?”
“You were born for me to love.”
I grin. “And I was born to love you.”
The call disconnects and I check my mirrors before pulling out in traffic. I’ve got just enough time to get across town to Beckett’s house to pick him up before we head to Whitney’s school.
His message this morning was straightforward, almost clinical. I don’t know if he’s not comfortable texting or if we’re still in the not liking each other phase of our relationship. Not that we’re in a relationship.
Shit.
Why the hell did I think that word? We’re acquaintances, nothing more.
Okay, fine, technically I’m his boss but that doesn’t affect the way we deal with each other. Although I suppose I changed that dynamic yesterday when I rescued his daughter and stayed with her.
After our call last night, I thought maybe we’d cut through his initial hostility. And Whitney let me know they’re both aware I’m an owner of the team even if I don’t advertise I am.
But this morning’s message was weird. Or maybe I’m being weird because after sleeping in Beckett’s bed, showering in his shower, I’m feeling a little off-kilter. The excited zip of anticipation I got when I saw his name flash on my phone screen didn’t help.
I admire him for what he’s done with Whitney and his career, but I’m not sure I like him. I like him as a father. I can’t deny that. And he reminds me of Dad so that could account for the buzz of pleasure I got when his text came in.
Except he kind of ruined it with his words. So abrupt and sterile.
Pick me up at 2:30. We’ll get Whit before her car.
I’m not sure what I expected. If I should have expected anything more than I got. It’s hard to put a finger on how I feel about Beckett because in the short time I’ve known him, in the scant minutes I’ve spent in his presence, I’ve run a gauntlet of emotions.
Defense. Anger. Amusement. Dislike. Like. Concern.
It’s better with Whitney.
I really like her. She’s such a pleasure to be around. And she’s an extension of Beckett so how can I like her and not him?
I swear, I’m getting emotional whiplash from this man and I don’t like it.
Everything about it reminds me of my biological mother and the see-saw of contradicting behavior she’s displayed my whole life.
I don’t need that upheaval. I cut all ties—well, I tried to cut them all—with Andrea years ago because I didn’t want that kind of turmoil in my life. Especially after Mom gave me unconditional love and stability the way my birth mother should have.
Except I can’t deny I’m drawn to the Higgisons. It’s like an invisible tether, with a retraction mechanism slowly winding me closer and closer.
On one hand I want to get closer.
On the other I want to run far, far away.
I’ve never been wishy-washy like this. Never found it hard to make a decision about something. But I can’t decide what to do about the father and daughter duo.
I know one thing though.
I’m stuck with them for now. I need to see this thing through, need to be sure someone isn’t out to hurt either of them.
Because for some reason I think they’ve been hurt before. Beckett more than Whitney. But there’s something about him that trips a switch inside me, has me wanting to protect them both.
It could be because of the way Draper went at him that first night or it could be something else. Whatever it is, as an owner of the Rogues it’s kind of my job to make sure they’re okay. Safe.
I’m invested more than that though.
Every instinct I have is telling me they need me to stick close.
It’s puzzling and exciting and confusing.
I’ve never lost my head over a guy. Not even Dwight and we dated for four years before calling it quits.
Beckett Higgison and his daughter are going to turn my life upside down.
Hell, they already are.