Chapter 29
. . .
Drew
It’s been a week since I got back from Vancouver and even longer since I last saw Will. As we approach the holidays, the regular hockey season always intensifies, and the Rogues have been on the road more than at home.
I guess I should be grateful for Will’s absence because for the first time in my life, I’ve fallen behind on work. This morning, a follow-up email from one of my other clients landed in my inbox.
My reply was an apology, explaining that I’d been out of town for work. I hate lying to anyone, let alone the people who literally pay my salary, but what was I supposed to say?
My apologies, Malcolm, but now that I’m taking a short break from screwing the star Rogues forward, I’ll be able to actually do my fucking job.
Once I’ve stopped daydreaming about that kiss against the tree or the way he sucked on my neck while we spooned all night on my sister’s couch, I tune back in to reality and Colton’s voice.
The monthly staff meeting is mid-flow, and I pray that my boss isn’t expecting me to engage in the conversation.
The boardroom is packed with my colleagues, all of whom I’m convinced can read my mind. Or maybe it’s just the guilt telling me that they can.
Lydia sits opposite me, smiling away at Colton as she updates him on the portfolio of clients I know she hasn’t expanded upon in months. Perhaps if she took more interest in her own work rather than mine, she might have something exciting to report in these meetings.
“And how about other collaborations, Drew? I know you’ve been working on multiple, so do we have any offers?”
I shift in my chair, trying to recall the exact details of a recent deal a large watch brand put forward. I know it was decent, but the day they emailed, I was giving Will a blow job in a gondola, and that’s all I can think about right now.
“We received an offer, yes. Will has various opportunities on the table, either at offer stage or still in negotiation. I have presented all of the details to Will and his agent, and they are currently thinking them over.”
From across the room, I ignore Lydia’s narrowed eyes and focus on Colton.
He scratches at the back of his neck. “Correct me if I’m wrong here, Drew, but I’m struggling to see what needs to be considered. Is Will inundated with collaborations at this time? Because that would be news to me.”
I feel my cheeks flush hot, and I unbutton my jacket, desperate to get comfortable when I can feel at least twenty pairs of eyes boring into me.
“Um …” I clear my throat, voice overcome with nervous energy.
“I’m not saying that he won’t take the deal, but my client is being cautious to select the right collaborations and not overstretch himself.
” I pause and grin at Colton. “He’s reluctant to become a walking billboard.
” For the first time since I walked into this stuffy boardroom, I feel like I’m talking sense.
“Will’s main objective is to build his performances on the ice and not get waylaid with photo shoots and other non-hockey-related obligations.
So, while I think he will take many of the opportunities that come his way, I—”
“Is that not literally the definition of your job—to secure as many collaborations for your client as possible? Or am I out of touch with the industry?”
Offering Lydia a sweet smile instead of a scowl, I tip my head to one side.
“What good is a client if they’re too exhausted to properly fulfill their contracts?
My job is to raise Will’s profile while protecting his well-being at the same time.
Blindly pursuing deals for the sake of it is counterintuitive and an outdated approach I’m not accustomed to. ”
If looks could kill, I’d be lying in a pool of my own blood right now while Lydia hovers over my body with a knife.
“I think finding a middle ground is the ideal scenario,” Colton speaks up.
“Or maybe trying to steal clients and pretending like nothing happened is on trend these days?” Lydia’s cynical tone cuts through the room, leaving nothing but silence in her wake.
Colton rears back, and my eyes rove around the space.
Who is she referring to?
“Oh, come on, Drew. I’m growing tired of this innocent act you carry when everyone is watching.” Lydia’s voice grows louder before she points her finger at me. “When were you going to tell me about Silas Stanton requesting a switch to your management, or were you hoping to keep it quiet?”
“Right!” Colton claps his hands together. “I think that’s a wrap for today’s meeting.”
Apart from me, my boss, and Lydia, everyone begins filing out of the room. Low-grade murmurs pass between the last people to leave before they close the boardroom door behind them.
I stare at my empty laptop screen, a mixture of rage and confusion coating my insides.
“I haven’t stolen any of your clients, Lydia,” I quietly reply as Colton takes a seat, but she remains standing.
Clutching her notepad and pen, my colleague’s hands vibrate with anger.
“Then why didn’t you inform me about the email he sent you weeks ago? I need to know if my clients are unhappy.”
Colton’s head swivels to me, his attention moving back and forth, like he’s spectating a tennis match.
If it were a real game, I’d be love-forty down because Lydia is correct.
I should’ve at least notified my boss about Silas’s approach, and I probably would’ve done that if I had been locked into my job and following standard practices instead of breaking them every chance I got with Will.
“Why didn’t you say something, Drew? Mr. Stanton is the last client First Line wants to lose.”
All senses sting as emotions build behind them, and I force myself to swallow hard, determined not to reveal how disappointed I am in myself.
This isn’t who you are.
I don’t operate like this at work. I’m the first one in the office each morning and the last one to leave at night. Drew Callaghan is a walking, talking rulebook with a full schedule and a spreadsheet for everything.
“I guess …” I close my laptop and twist my hands around on the lid.
“I guess I didn’t want to upset you, Lydia.
To be honest, I’ve always felt like you’ve had this issue with me, and I can’t work out why.
Coming to you with the email from Silas felt awkward and like it would only make the animosity between us worse. ”
When my eyes meet hers, I hope that I’ll see a shred of understanding in them. All I get is more anger and a frown between her brows.
“I want to make a formal complaint, Colton.”
It feels like my stomach hits the floor.
“A complaint?” I whisper. “Lydia, we can work this out without—”
“Can you please ask Drew to leave the room so we can have some privacy?” Lydia talks over me, attention centered solely on our boss.
Colton’s eyes flash briefly to me and then back to Lydia. We’ve definitely reached the equivalent of a break point.
He and I both know if I don’t get up and go, this could blow up into an HR nightmare. My kind boss doesn’t deserve that.
Pushing back my chair, I gather my belongings and immediately head for the door, stepping out into the main office area, where at least a dozen heads turn my way.
I need to get out of here, stat.
I’m halfway to the staircase when a call starts vibrating in my hand, and I hit Accept on my cell without checking the contact.
“Hello?” I croak out, diving into an empty break room.
What I wouldn’t give to hear Will’s voice right now even though I know he’s the last person I should be speaking to.
“Drew? It’s Vesper. Are you okay and free to talk?”
By the sound of her broken-up voice, I should be asking her the same thing.
“Sure,” I push out quickly, trying to hide the day I’m having.
“I guess my call is out of the blue, given we haven’t really spoken since we exchanged numbers that day in the bar, but …” She goes quiet and then sobs.
Vesper isn’t the type of girl to cry. Whatever day she’s having must be worse than mine.
“No, no, you’re fine, babe,” I say, setting my laptop down on a table and taking a seat. The view over Seattle from this room is one of my favorites. I love watching the world go by beneath me. “What’s going on?”
I hear a door close before she sighs heavily.
“I didn’t know who to call, but then I remembered you said I could always talk to you. I figured I could trust you not to say anything …” She trails off, and I know she’s seeking reassurance.
I place a palm over my heart, remembering something Marley and I used to swear when we were younger. “Girl secrets are always safe with me.”
Although I can’t see her, I’m sure Vesper is smiling when she says, “Thank you, Drew. I just needed an ear to listen.”
“Is everything okay?” I ask after a beat.
Another sigh. “Not really—well, at least not at the moment anyway. I broke up with Kane and—”
“Who’s Kane?”
“Oh.” Vesper chuckles softly. “I didn’t realize I never gave you his name. Kane is—was—my boyfriend.”
“Silas’s brother?” I inquire, knowing that he must be.
A short stretch of silence falls between us before she replies, “Yeah, Silas only has one sibling.”
My heart aches at the sadness in her tone. “I’m really sorry you guys didn’t work out. Who ended it?”
“Me.” Vesper’s reply is clear and concise. “Trouble is,” she adds, “now I’m temporarily living in a hotel, and I have an ex-boyfriend blowing up my phone, wanting to patch things up. I really don’t want to go back there with him. He’s texted me twice while I’ve been on the phone with you.”
“Oh jeez …” I wince, wondering how to word my next sentence. “Babe, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
I gaze out of the window and see a helicopter flying past in the distance. “Is Kane an asshole? I get a hunch that you might be better off without him.”
She blows out a humorless breath. “How did you guess?”
I shrug a shoulder. “Like I said, just a hunch.”
More silence falls on the conversation, and I swivel in my seat to check the clock on the wall behind me. I really need to get back to my own shitty day. Equally, I don’t want to leave Vesper when she needs someone.
“When is your next night off?” I ask her.
She chuckles. “I have a habit of working seven days a week since I need the money, but I actually took tomorrow off so I can try and sort my life out.”
Relatable.
“How about we meet for dinner, my treat? There’s a cute Italian restaurant just down from my place, and we can talk more there.”
“Drew, I can’t let you pay for me,” she protests.
“Tough,” I bluntly retort, which pulls another chuckle from her and a surprising smile onto my face. “Tomorrow at seven p.m.”
“Hmm …”
“Vesper,” I warn, “I won’t accept no for an answer.”
“You know, I didn’t have you down as a bossy one, but now I can see how you keep those hot-blooded pro athletes in check.” She pauses for a moment. “Speaking of, how are things going with a certain hockey player?”
Butterflies swarm my stomach whenever I think of him.
“I’ll fill you in tomorrow night. I’m in the office, and it’s hard to speak freely.”
“Ooh,” Vesper sings down the line. “Now I have to show up tomorrow. I need some tea to go with the free meal you’re offering.”
I burst out laughing right as the break room door swings inward, and Colton appears in the doorway.
Great freaking timing. My colleague just made a formal complaint about me, and how do I react from his perspective? Laugh.
“I need to go,” I tell Vesper. “I’ll text you the restaurant’s address and make a reservation.”
She takes the hint from the urgent tone in my voice and ends the call.
“Drew, do you have a minute?” Colton thumbs behind him.
I pick up my laptop and stand. He doesn’t look mad, but then again, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Colton lose his cool.
“Sure,” I say. “Do I need to make any notes or just bring myself?”
He smiles warmly and holds the door open for me. “Just you will be fine.”