Chapter Nine
“So, Hayden”—big brown eyes peered at him through a thick fringe of eyelashes—“I’m glad you gave me a second chance to make a first impression.” Lucy tossed the shining waves of blond hair over her thin shoulders. Her salad lay untouched in front of her.
“Oh?” Amused, Hayden took a sip of water. He was all about redemption. Besides, Lucy was the key to figuring out Russell Anders.
“I kinda bit your head off the first time we spoke, but I was just protecting my boss.”
“Which is what I’m doing. So I’m glad we understand each other. It will take me a little time to acclimatize to the culture here.”
“Was it different in your previous job?” She scrunched up her nose. “You worked for some shipping corporation?”
“Yes to both. Very different, and no socialization whatsoever.”
Kunoff Shipping was a huge operation with offices across the United States, and even after all the years he’d worked for Boris, Hayden hadn’t met all the directors of the company. There’d been little time for sit-downs and chats with other assistants, and none of the directors ever acknowledged his existence, aside from asking him if they could speak to Boris.
“Oh, that’s not how it is here, at all, so you should get used to it.” Her eyes twinkled. “The Kings’ organization is very social. Everyone here likes to be in each other’s business. It’s hard to keep things private.”
That wouldn’t be the case with him. Hayden had spent half his life hiding and wasn’t about to spill his guts to anyone. But in an effort not to alienate Lucy, he forced a smile. “I already know about Mr. Winters. He loves roses and is very kind. What about your boss? Is he married, divorced?” He hesitated. “Seeing anyone from the office?”
Her cheeks pinked.
Aha! Bingo.
“I—Russell’s a great boss. He’s not married, never has been.” She ate some of her salad. “How about you? Do you have a girlfriend?”
He toyed with his fork, pushing the lettuce in the container. “I’m not dating anyone at the moment. The new job keeps me pretty busy. There’s so much to learn.”
“Well, if you ever need help, feel free to pick my brain. I’ve been here five years, and I’ve seen it all.”
“I’ll bet you have.” Not wanting it to seem like an interrogation, he ate a bit more before asking another question. “From what I’ve seen so far, it’s a nice place to work.”
“I think so. I love my job, especially the perks. I get to meet the football players, which is really cool. And sometimes I go to dinners at restaurants I’d never have the chance to if I’d stayed in retail. And, of course, all the tickets to the games are great.”
“And Mr. Anders and Mr. Winters have a good working relationship, I feel.”
“Oh yeah, definitely.” She leaned forward as if to share confidences, and Hayden did the same. “Matter of fact, Russell was always nicer to Armand than his own father.” Her nose wrinkled. “It was awful, the things I overheard.”
A knot formed in Hayden’s stomach. “Like what?”
She peered around the room, but no one was near enough to their table to overhear. “Randolph Winters was a bully. He never treated Armand with any respect. I’m sure it was because he’s gay. Russell was always telling Randolph to try and spend more time with Armand, but Randolph wasn’t interested.” Her lip curled. “He was too busy with Anna to spend time with his son. So Russell did it instead. He and Armand have a great relationship—he always encouraged Armand to lean on him and helped him after the plane crash.”
“Helped him, how?”
“You know, by taking him step by step through the business plan, scouting reports, the draft and free agency. All that’s so overwhelming, and Russell’s only too happy to help.”
Hmm. I bet he is.
He could play along. “That is nice for Mr. Winters. I’m sure he’s been a big help. Do you think he felt he should be appointed CEO?”
Lucy lifted a shoulder. “I don’t think so…I mean, yeah, we were all surprised that Armand wanted to take over, but the reality is”—her voice dropped—“for the most part, Russell’s really running the show. Eventually Armand will bow out and let Russell take over.” She collected the leftovers of her lunch and tossed them into the trash bin. “Everyone likes Armand, but you can agree that it would be best for the team that way. You won’t have to worry about your job, though. Armand would still keep you. I’d better run. It was great talking to you. Let’s do it again.”
She click-clacked out on her stilettos, leaving Hayden to ponder their conversation. Part of him agreed that it would be best for the team not to have an upheaval right before the season started. The other part didn’t like the behind-the-scenes finagling and sneakiness. He’d yet to determine if Russell truly cared about Armi, or if it was a way to get his hooks deeper into the team, and what Lucy had revealed didn’t make Hayden any fonder of the man.
At his desk, he began to make a list of questions he believed Martin Price would have for Armi, and cross-checked with interviews the reporter had held with other new owners. He’d reached number twenty when his intercom buzzed.
“Are you busy?” Armi asked.
“Do you need me? I’ll be right in.”
“Thanks.”
In the years he worked for Boris, Hayden could count on one hand the number of times the man had said thank you to him. He waited in front of Armi’s desk.
“What can I help you with?”
“This interview…I don’t…I’m not sure…” Armi chewed the inside of his cheek, and Hayden could see he was working himself up into a panic.
“Don’t worry,” he soothed. “I’ve got you covered. I’ve already worked up a bunch of questions from past features I’ve read. We can practice them this afternoon.”
Relief flooded Armi’s eyes. “Thanks. I know it’s a lot—”
“Not at all,” he smoothly interrupted. “It’s my job. We can start now. I’ll just print out two copies.”
“Armi, you ready?” Russell stood in the doorway.
“R-ready for wh-what?” Armi looked to Hayden, but Hayden had no clue. “Do I have a meeting now?”
Hayden searched his mind. “Not this afternoon. Tomorrow is pretty full.”
“I told you yesterday,” Russell sounded exasperated, which raised Hayden’s hackles. “We have a meeting about free agents today at two thirty.” He pointed to his watch. “It’s two twenty now. I figured we’d chat for a few minutes beforehand, and I’ll fill you in.”
“It wasn’t on the calendar.” Hayden pulled out his phone to check. “No. There’s nothing.”
Russell barely paid attention to him. “I must’ve forgotten to put it on, but come on. I can brief you on the way.”
Fucking slick, Russell. I’m on to you, sneaky fucker.
“Don’t worry.” Pretending it was no big deal, Hayden waved it off. “We can do the interview questions later.”
“Come with me, please, Hayden,” Armi turned to him and pleaded.
Russell’s jaw hardened, and Hayden responded promptly. “Of course. Let me get my tablet to take notes.”
Russell said, “I can help you with anything you’ll need, Armand. Hayden will need to answer your phone.”
“Will Lucy be at the meeting?” Hayden wanted to know in case he was being deliberately left out.
“No,” Russell clipped out. “It’s just the board members, Coach Jackson, and the scouts we sent out.”
“Oh…I don’t know, then…maybe you should stay…” Armi ran a hand through his hair. “I guess.”
Unwilling to put Armi in an uncomfortable position, Hayden nodded. “No worries. Mr. Anders is correct. I’m learning, but I can see it’s going to take some time, even though I’ve already picked up so much.” He gave Russell a sunny smile and didn’t miss the narrowing of the man’s eyes. “I’ll use the time to prep for the interview tomorrow.” As the owner, Armi should have whatever he wanted, but Armi wouldn’t push Russell, and it wasn’t Hayden’s place to do so.
“Interview?” Russell questioned. “What’s that about?”
Armi wiped his brow. “Oh, uh, the guy from City News wants to talk to me. We’re having lunch tomorrow.”
“Martin Price?” Russell sounded surprised. “He was a good friend of your father’s, and he’s a Kings fan. Usually press inquiries come through me.”
“Even if they wanted to speak to Randolph Winters?” Hayden schooled his face to remain neutral. “The owner of the team would clear his interviews through you?”
Russell ignored him. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure he’ll give the interview a good spin. We’d better go, Armand.”
“Hayden—” Armi began.
“Armand, please.” Russell hustled him out of the office without another word.
Before Hayden left the office, a large sticky note on the computer monitor caught his eye— dinner Trevor 7:30 Sat. nite.
Of course, Armi hadn’t entered it on his calendar, so when he returned to his desk, Hayden added it. Several calls came through from other media outlets, and Hayden set up interviews with them, but this time managed to get the questions sent to him and promised that Armi would have them back within the week.
At five thirty the office started to empty out with still no sign of Armi. He passed by the conference rooms but didn’t hear any voices.
Where the hell are they?
Hayden spotted Lucy at her desk, fixing her hair and putting on fresh lipstick, obviously preparing to leave. Her purse—a very expensive designer name—sat at her elbow.
“Hi,” she greeted him after puckering up and blotting. “Leaving too? We can walk out together.”
Not a chance, sister . “No, I’m staying a little while. Going to wait for Mr. Winters to return. Do you know which conference room they’re in? I did a walkaround but didn’t hear anyone.”
“They all left at five.”
“Left?” Puzzled, Hayden didn’t understand how that happened. “Where’d they go?”
“To Doyle’s down the block. The usual hangout.”
“Oh, really? I didn’t know. I didn’t see anyone leave.”
“The large conference room has a separate entrance. It allows for big sports names to come and go without anyone seeing them. You know how the press goes crazy when they think a trade might be happening.”
No, he didn’t, but Hayden supposed he would have to start thinking that way.
“I guess that makes sense. But a bar?”
She rolled her eyes. “So clichéd, but late-afternoon meetings always end up there. I think they’re on the verge of signing a big free agent and they’re celebrating.”
How did Armi feel, surrounded by people he didn’t consider his friends? If he was nervous going into the meeting, he might be in way over his head and panicking.
“Thanks for the info. Have a great night.”
“You too. Let’s do lunch again soon.” She picked up her purse and walked around her desk.
“Definitely.”
He gathered up his wallet and phone and waited until he figured Lucy had already left, then made his exit. Doyle’s was one of those old-fashioned Irish bars fast becoming extinct in the city. No-nonsense drinks, solid pub food, and a dark wooden bar with half a dozen beers on tap. The stools were filled with after-work revelers, whom Hayden skipped over. His gaze lighted on a table in the corner, where he spied Whitmore and Geiger, along with four other men he’d never seen—probably the coach and his staff. The men were laughing and joking together, enjoying each other’s company. Armi’s back was to him, and Hayden’s heart gave a funny bounce.
Damn . He looked so alone. Excluded. Russell put a hand on Armi’s shoulder and whispered in his ear, and Hayden’s hand balled into a fist. He wanted to punch Russell in his face for touching Armi so intimately.
What the hell was Russell doing?
Hayden’s chest rose and fell as the cadence of his breath increased. Russell’s hand remained on Armi’s shoulder. That was unacceptable to him.
Without thinking, Hayden strode to the table. “Mr. Winters?”
Armi’s head shot up. “Hayden? Wh-what’re you doing here?” Those big blue eyes were slightly glazed, and a flush stained his cheeks. Russell frowned and removed his hand. Hayden’s stomach unclenched.
“How much have you had to drink?”
“Just a couple,” Armi mumbled. “The guys ordered.”
“Maybe you should get something to eat? You have that interview tomorrow, and we still haven’t gone over the notes.”
“Are you his PA or his mommy? Let the guy have some fun.” Whitmore sneered. “We’re celebrating a big signing.”
“Who’d you sign?” Ignoring the others, Hayden directed his attention to Armi.
“Darrell Hopkins. The number two rusher in the league last year. And we have our sights on an All-Pro defensive tackle. We’ll know more soon.”
Hayden eyed him. “You’re enjoying it.”
“Of course he is,” Russell insisted, answering for him. “It’s a huge win for the team. See, Armand? I told you the right way to do it. The big names are going to bring us a Super Bowl win.”
But Hayden wasn’t concerned with Russell’s take. Armi smiled up at him. A little crooked and way too endearing. He shouldn’t like how much it meant to him. “I kind of am. I like the negotiations. It’s all good.”
Glittering blue eyes drew him in, and Hayden’s heart kicked up a notch, but if Armi didn’t want him here, there was nothing left for him to do. “I’m glad. Well, I’ll leave you, then. Have a good night. See you in the morning.”
He nodded to the others and left, only to hear his name called as he reached the corner. “Hayden. Hayden, wait.”
He stopped and turned to see Armi running after him. “What’s wrong? Did you forget to tell me something you needed for tomorrow?”
A bit out of breath, Armi put up a finger, and Hayden waited. “Sorry.” He rubbed his face.
“What’re you apologizing for?” Armi needed to get out of that habit.
“I-I felt like you came for a specific reason, and I didn’t appreciate it.” That same sweet smile made another appearance. “I might’ve had a tiny bit too much to drink. That was stupid of me.”
Was this man for real? He’d never had a boss talk to him like this. “Don’t say that. You were celebrating. And it’s okay. I’m fine. You can go back to the others, just try not to get drunk and wind up with a hangover. I’ll see you in the morning, and we can work on the interview questions then.”
“Wait. Can’t we…can we do it now? I, uh, I think I’ve had enough.” Armi hiccupped and swayed, his face earnest and hopeful before he glanced at his watch. “Oh, shit. I’m sorry. It’s late. Go home, have dinner, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Dammit . Armi looked like he’d lost his puppy.
“It’s no problem if you want to do it now. I’m here for whenever you need me.” He didn’t miss the flush over Armi’s face.
“I-I don’t want to make you work overtime. It’s not fair.”
Hayden grinned. “I did say at my interview that I’ll go the extra mile. It’s what makes me special. I can meet you at the office and—”
“No,” Armi stated with emphasis. “If I’m making you work overtime, I’m giving you dinner. We’ll do it at my place. It’s more comfortable there.”
Once again, Armi managed to surprise him. He’d never been invited to Boris’s home, except to pick up his mail when he was away. Now it was the second time Armi was having him to his house. Hayden became flustered. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. I’ll get a car, and you can decide what you want to eat. We’ll order when we get home.”
Home.
Hayden allowed himself a brief moment to imagine what living in that beautiful town house would be like, but chased the thought from his mind. Pure silliness. Armi was being…Armi. Kind and considerate. Of course he’d treat him properly. Hayden had to stop thinking of him naked. That thick cock, heavy and delicious. Strong hands gripping his hair as Armi thrust in and out of his mouth. God, he could almost smell him.
Shit.
Hayden rubbed a hand over his face. He needed to get laid—the upcoming weekend for sure. It had been too long, and losing himself in some hot, meaningless sex would do the trick. It would certainly stop him from thinking about Armi. He deserved to treat himself after a long week.
“Hayden? You coming?” Armi stood by the black car waiting at the curb.
“Yep.”
He slid into the back seat, and Armi settled in next to him. All he had to do was get through the next day, and this strange desire would be gone and he could concentrate solely on his job.