16. Jessica
Chapter sixteen
Jessica
I ’m sitting at my desk in the law office, staring at the papers in front of me, but not really seeing them. The beauty of the Denver skyline outside my window usually calms me, but today, it feels like a reminder of why I’m here. I’m here because my dad wanted me to take this “great” opportunity to work for an NHL team in their law firm. Well, that’s not what he really wants. He really wants me to work with him in entertainment law in LA. Regardless, I’m not here to fake date an NHL star. That was a mistake. But how could I say no? I can’t disappoint Dad. I think if I keep trying, one day I’ll actually please him.
I shovel my way through the paperwork, doing my best to get work done. It’s been like this all morning—going through the motions, pretending to be focused on work. I can’t stop thinking about Eric.
I shake my head, trying to push the thoughts away, but they creep back in. The feel of his hands on my skin, the way he looked at me that night—it wasn’t supposed to happen. We weren’t supposed to blur the lines.
And now everything’s a mess.
A knock on the door jolts me back to reality, and I glance up to see Jason standing in the doorway, his usual self-confident expression firmly in place. My boss is always so put together, every hair in place, his suit impeccably tailored. Today is no different. He steps into my office and shuts the door behind him, a file in his hand.
“Jessica,” he says, his voice dripping with that professional tone that always feels a little condescending, “we need to talk.”
“About what?” I ask, though I already know.
Jason tosses the file onto my desk and slides into the chair opposite me. He crosses one leg over the other, folding his hands neatly in his lap. “The headlines. About Eric and Allison.”
I feel a tightening in my chest, but I do my best to keep my face neutral. I’ve been avoiding looking at the news ever since yesterday, trying not to think about the photos of Eric and Allison that are circulating everywhere. The media’s having a field day with it. Trouble in Paradise? The headlines all scream the same thing: Eric’s cheating, Eric’s moved on, Eric and Jessica were never real. And sure that last one’s true, but it still hurts.
I shrug, trying to play it off. “I don’t care anymore.”
Jason raises an eyebrow. “You don’t care? Jessica, it’s your job to care. You and Eric are supposed to be maintaining this relationship for the public. You know how important this is for the team’s image—and for your own career.”
I let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back in my chair. “I know, Jason. But I’m tired of pretending. I’m tired of faking this relationship just for the cameras. It’s a lot of extra work, extra mental strain. You have no idea.”
Jason gives me a long, calculating look. “You’re a lawyer, Jessica. You should be used to playing a role by now. This is no different from any other job requirement. It’s just PR, not real life.”
Not real life. The words sting more than I expect them to. Because, deep down, I know he’s right. It was never real—it wasn’t supposed to be. But somewhere along the way, it started to feel real for me. And that’s the problem.
I swallow the lump in my throat, refusing to let Jason see how much this is affecting me. “I’ll handle it,” I say, my voice clipped. “But I’m not happy about it.”
Jason nods, satisfied, and stands up. “Good. Because this is about more than just you, Jessica. This is going to reflect on your career advancement in this firm. And you can’t afford to let personal feelings get in the way of that.”
As if I needed the reminder. I watch as Jason leaves my office, the door clicking softly behind him, and I’m left alone with my thoughts again. I lean forward, resting my elbows on my desk and rubbing my temples. This is a heck of a lot to process. I wish I’d never gotten involved in this mess in the first place. I wish I’d never agreed to fake date Eric. And I wish I’d never fallen for him, because now I’m stuck in this nightmare with no way out.
The door to my office swings open without a knock, and my father strides in like he owns the place. His presence fills the room instantly, larger than life as always, his deep tan and perfectly styled hair giving him that unmistakable LA vibe. He’s wearing a designer shirt that might look age-appropriate on someone in their twenties, but on him it just looks… weird. And his jeans look far too tailored for someone who’s supposed to be a grown man, namely a grown man who is also my dad.
“Jessica!” he exclaims, throwing his arms out wide like we’re in the middle of a family reunion instead of my office. “You won’t believe the mess I had to go through to find parking out here. Denver’s gotten so busy with the ski season, hasn’t it?”
I grit my teeth, forcing a smile. “I wouldn’t know. Some of us are working here.” He doesn’t get it at all, does he? We’re not close. But since he’s in my office, he’s putting on a show. Great. “Dad, what are you doing here?”
He saunters over to the chair Jason just vacated and sits down without a word. “Oh, just in town from the slopes with Trixie for a little Denver city experience for her. She’s just outside in the lobby talking to a guy named Jason—your boss, right?”
I sigh. I know my dad. This is his public persona, oh so generous and laid back. But the real him is controlling and harsh with his words. And Trixie—the latest in a long line of his “girlfriends” is talking to Jason? Wonderful. Not. It’s so embarrassing! I don’t want them here.
She’s barely older than me, all blonde curls and manicured nails, a stereotypical snow bunny who probably loves Aspen and all things outdoorsy. I bet she’s dying to get back on some ski slope, taking selfies for Instagram.
“How’s work going?” he asks as if it’s his business, leaning back casually. Then, it happens. His eyes change and grow shrewd. He’s here for a reason, not just to visit. “I saw the news about you and Eric—what’s that all about? He cheating on you with his PR lady?”
Dad is worried about my image, not me, most likely. He is looking for a mistake or a flaw in how I live life. It’s been this way since I turned eighteen.
I bristle at the question, hating the way he says it with that condescending, almost amused tone. “It’s nothing,” I say, my voice tight. “Just media nonsense.”
He raises an eyebrow, giving me a look that tells me he doesn’t believe a word of it. “Nonsense, huh? Well, you know I’ve always said you should’ve gone into entertainment law like me. This sports stuff is a steppingstone toward fame as an attorney, sure, and that part is great. But it’s also… messy. You could’ve been handling contracts for the big movie stars by now, but no, you had to do things your way.” He presses his lips together. “I’ve been patient. I’ve been supportive of your move here. Let me know when you’ve had enough of this playing around and want to join my firm and represent Hollywood’s elite.”
He’s rarely so direct and it shocks me. My mind races—is he terminal, is he ill, what is behind this sudden insistence that I change my life for him?
I bite the inside of my cheek, feeling the familiar sting of disappointment that always accompanies conversations with my father. He’s never been shy about his disapproval of my career choice, but he’s usually passive aggressive about it, not direct. To him, if it’s not Hollywood, it’s not important. Never mind that I’ve made a name for myself as a successful sports attorney. He’ll never see it as my end game; just a step toward the end goal: entertainment law.
“I’m happy where I am, Dad,” I say, though the words feel hollow even to me. Lately, I’m not at all happy.
He waves his hand dismissively. “Sure, sure. But you know, there’s still time to switch. I’ve got contacts in LA. I could have you working on movie deals by next week if you wanted.”
“I don’t want that,” I snap, my patience wearing thin. “And I don’t have time for this right now. I’ve got work to do.”
My father laughs coolly, completely unbothered by my frustration. “Maybe once I tell you my good news, you’ll realize that it’s time you come home to LA with me and build the family business.”
Before I can respond, the door swings open again, and in walks Trixie, looking as perfectly styled as always. Her blonde hair is tucked into a white fur-trimmed ski jacket, and she’s beaming like she’s just come from a photo shoot.
“Hi, Jessica!” she says brightly, completely ignoring the tension in the room. “Your dad said we should stop by. Isn’t your boss just the cutest?”
I force a tight smile. “Sure.”
Trixie flounces over to my father, wrapping her arm around his like she’s some kind of accessory. My stomach churns at the sight. She’s too young for him; my father’s pushing sixty. It’s gross, honestly.
“Jessica,” my father says, his tone suddenly serious, “there’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about.”
I raise an eyebrow, not liking the sound of that at all. “What is it?”
He glances at Trixie, then back at me, a wide smile spreading across his face. “Trixie and I are getting married.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. For a moment, I can’t even process them. “What?” I manage to choke out.
“Married,” he repeats, as if I didn’t hear him the first time. “And I’d love for you to join us in LA so you and I can work on our relationship and so you can be there as Trix and I start our life. Heck, maybe even start a family together. Isn’t that great news?”
Start a family—at his age? What the actual heck! I can feel my heart breaking in my chest, the betrayal sinking in like a lead weight. My mother’s been gone for years, but the idea of my father marrying someone like Trixie—it’s like a slap in the face. How could he do this? How could he move on so easily, especially with someone like her?
“Dad, can I have a word—in private?” I hiss out.
Trixie turns her nose up. “There’s no need for secrets, Jessica. Anything you need to say, you can say it to the both of us.” She looks at my dad. “Isn’t that right, baby?” she purrs.
I want to vomit. “Fine. It’s disrespectful,” I say, my voice shaking with anger. “To Mom. To her memory. How could you even think about this, especially right before Christmas?”
My father frowns, clearly not expecting this reaction. “Jessica, your mother’s been gone a long time. I deserve to be happy, too.”
“This isn’t about your happiness,” I snap. “It’s about you feeding your ego with your latest little girl toy. This is you not caring about anyone but yourself.”
Trixie shifts uncomfortably beside him, clearly not expecting this much honesty from me. My father sighs, looking annoyed now. “I thought you’d be happy for me, Jessica.”
“Happy?” I say, my voice rising. “You expect me to be happy that you’re marrying some girl who’s closer to my age than yours? You’ve lost your mind.”
The tension in the room is suffocating now, and I can feel my blood boiling. I can’t be here anymore. I can’t look at them.
“Just leave,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
My father opens his mouth to say something, but I don’t give him the chance. “Just. Leave.”
He hesitates for a moment, then nods, standing up and guiding Trixie toward the door. “We’ll talk later,” he says, his voice cold now.
I don’t respond. I just sit there, staring at the door after they leave, my heart pounding in my chest. Everything feels wrong. My career, my personal life—everything. And now, the one person I thought I could at least count on, my own father, has turned my world upside down.
I feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. Not here. Not now. I take a deep breath, steadying myself. There’s no time to fall apart. Not when I still have a job to do, and not when the world expects me to keep it together.
But deep down, I know I’m unraveling. And I’m not sure how much longer I can hold on.