Chapter 37
. . .
Drew
The reception lights almost blind me as I step into First Line’s offices early the following morning.
Just like the last day I was here, there’s no one around, except our normally friendly receptionist, Dawn, who doesn’t appear all that welcoming today.
Offering me a tight smile, she holds up a hand when I go to buzz in, using my fob.
“Sorry, Drew. Your fob won’t work this morning. The system was manually updated the other day, and yours”—she looks more than awkward—“wasn’t included in that update.”
It’s not Dawn’s fault that I’ve been locked out of the building before being formally fired, but she sure looks at me like it is.
“It’s fine,” I say brightly, trying my best to alleviate some of the tension.
She buzzes me through the barrier, and before I’ve taken a single step toward the staircase, she winces.
“Actually, Colton has asked if you could remain down here. I’ll let him know you’ve arrived, but he didn’t want to make things uncomfortable for other staff members.”
I smile again, although this one is less convincing. “Sure.”
Nothing but five long minutes of total silence later, Colton’s unmistakable footsteps sound down the staircase before he stands at the top of the last flight and … grins at me warmly?
I must be hallucinating. I fully expected to be shown a brown box full of my things and then the door.
“Drew, it’s good to see you.” He takes the final few steps and comes to stand in front of me, both hands tucked into gray dress pants. “How are you doing?”
I gaze down at the black suit dress I’m wearing, feeling like an idiot for not going with the jeans and sweater I initially picked out this morning. Still, if I’m going to fall from grace, I might as well do it in style.
“I’ve been better,” I reply honestly. “The past few days haven’t been my favorite.”
He turns on his heel and leads me up the staircase of doom—which it shall now be known as—before using his working fob to enter the open plan office.
The familiar smell of paperwork was once a comfort to me.
I loved being here, no matter how stressful the day turned out to be.
Now, the scent rolls my stomach as I refuse to make eye contact with any colleagues who have already arrived.
I don’t even glance at my desk since I don’t want to see all my things packed away and waiting for me.
Colton pushes the boardroom door open and holds it for me to enter. When I finally look ahead and see the projector set up and switched on, Will’s Instagram profile page lights up the darkened room.
Fuck. What’s happened now?
“Take a seat, Drew.” Colton’s voice remains warm, and now I’m really confused.
Downstairs, I suspected he was putting on a show for Dawn’s benefit, and now I’m wondering if he’s one of those people who acts friendly right before they totally lose their shit.
I take a spot in my usual seat and set my bag down on the floor next to me. He takes the one opposite, folding his hands together on a deep sigh.
I glance again at Will’s profile, noticing that his picture has changed from an action shot I selected when I first took over his socials. The new picture is one from when he was younger. He must be only sixteen in this photo, and I’m pretty sure it was taken by me one year at a Christmas party.
Blinking a couple of times, I push back the tears threatening to form.
“I’ve run through numerous ways I could conduct today’s meeting,” Colton begins talking. “How I could remind you of the fraternization clause in your contract, which clearly states romantic relationships with clients is strictly prohibited.”
I swallow hard, but don’t say anything.
Colton’s professional expression softens a fraction, and my shoulders lower an inch.
“In reality, Drew, I know you don’t need to be reminded of the rules. Since the day you walked through these doors as an intern, you’ve set an example for your colleagues, even to some of the more experienced members on the team.”
I know Colton means every word, and I truly appreciate his kindness. That doesn’t stop the next words from leaving me. If anything, his benevolence compels me further.
“It’s okay, Colton. I value everything you said, but I want you to know it’s fine, and I expect you to let me go. My actions were unacceptable, and I was already on a warning. You have to do what’s best to protect your business and its reputation.”
Colton looks at me, pensive eyes examining my face before he pulls his open laptop toward him and clicks the Message button on Will’s profile.
I hold my breath when I see Will’s face in his private messages.
“Last night, before I went to bed, I decided to torture myself once more and check social media.” He hovers the cursor over the Play button set in the center of the video from Will.
“Of all the messages I anticipated receiving, this wasn’t one of them.
Around twenty minutes ago, Will set this video live on all of his social media platforms.”
Colton lowers the volume and hits Play, resting back in his chair as I sit forward in mine.
My palms sweat when the video begins with Will adjusting the camera in his living room and then taking a seat on his couch. He looks so handsome in black jeans and a white button-down shirt, open at the collar, but he’s missing the gold chain I’m wearing right now.
I smooth my fingers over the compass around my neck, and Will opens his mouth. He isn’t smiling, and his eyes are bloodshot and puffy.
“Hey, guys,” he begins in a small voice, which breaks my heart. “Will Jones here, your favorite—or maybe not-so-favorite—hockey player.”
I try to swallow, but it feels impossible; my mouth is so dry.
“I, err …” He slides a hand through his tousled hair, appearing stressed. “I didn’t plan on making this video, so I haven’t made notes or rehearsed anything I’m about to say.”
“Oh fuck,” I voice my inner dread, and Colton softly chuckles.
“I guess, by now, a lot of you are already aware of and have likely formed an opinion on the events of the past few days.” Will braces his elbows on his knees, shirtsleeves rolled halfway up his arms. “I think it’s only human nature to be presented with a set of circumstances or a narrative and to believe only what we’re being told.
A lot of the time, it feels safe to follow the crowd and tell ourselves that we could never make a mistake like that or be mortal enough to fall in love with the one person you shouldn’t. ”
“Will …” I breathe his name so quietly that I barely hear myself.
“But despite all of that and every single judgment being passed—even as I record this video—I am in love with Drew Callaghan. My publicist, my coach’s daughter, and my long-term family friend, who oftentimes thinks I’m a nightmare.
” He chuckles to himself, and the first tear hits my cheek.
“Being honest, she’ll probably ream my ass out for this video when she eventually sees it. ”
Clasping his hands together in a praying motion, he rests his chin on his fingertips and gazes into the camera.
I know thousands—possibly even millions—of people will watch this, but it feels like I’m sitting next to him on the couch.
The lights are dimmed, and there’s no one else around while he speaks directly to me.
“To the Rogues fans, it’s time I leveled with you.
When I was drafted to the team, I was bitter, maybe even pissed that I wasn’t destined to play for a prestigious team.
I felt like I’d been screwed over, and that resentment spilled into my college years.
” He pulls in a deep breath, and I do the same.
“Looking back now, I’m not proud of the way I behaved online or the needless arguments I had with random people on the internet.
But when I arrived in Seattle, I was still the twisted-up college kid who felt like the world owed him something. ”
Colton turns the volume up on his laptop, attention shooting to me for the briefest second.
“A lot of you have spent the last few days pointing fingers at my publicist for fucking up the rest of our season because I’d no doubt end up benched—or worse, traded.
” He leans toward the camera like he’s making an appeal.
“I’m having the season of my life because I’m dating the girl of my dreams. Back in September, expectations weighed heavily on my shoulders.
Every day, I was in the gym, analyzing my diet, performance, training schedule and growing increasingly neurotic over getting it right.
Drew changed everything for me.” His voice cracks a little as he finishes his sentence, and I swipe at my cheeks.
Reaching into his pocket, Will pulls out a scrap of paper, and I know what it is without seeing what’s written on it.
Our original list of rules.
“When Drew was assigned as my publicist, we were friends who had known each other for years, each of us trying to accomplish the crazy dreams we’d set for ourselves.
The only difference? I was going about it in an unprofessional way, acting like I was some kind of hotshot …
” He smiles at the camera, and I know that reference is for me.
“Drew went about her work in a methodical manner, writing a list of rules one night to focus my attention and to get me to quit the fuckery I was always caught up in. She secured a collaboration I’d thought was unsalvageable and curated a public image I honestly wasn’t deserving of.
She was—and still is—responsible for so much of my success this season.
For the goals you, as the fans, have celebrated in packed arenas.
In Brooklyn, I dedicated a goal to her because she is the reason why I’d scored it. ”
He swallows hard, and I release a sob for the both of us, head falling into my hands.
“Drew, if you’re watching this, Baby, I want you to know it’s all going to be okay.
When I asked you to kiss me for the first time, I promised you that I wouldn’t let anything bad happen.
This is me making good on those words. This is me, on my knees, saying I’m so fucking sorry for being careless with my phone.
If you lose your career, then so will I—I’ll quit hockey, and we’ll run off into the goddamn sunset together.
It’s pointless, tying my skates, if I don’t get to see you take over the world and make other athletes’ dreams come true with your unrelenting talent and work ethic.
You are a true professional and someone who will always seek permission first. I’m proud of you, and I stand with you, with us.
I stand by the love I feel for you, deep in my bones. ”
He points to his chest and taps it a couple of times.
“That compass? You always wanted to know why I bought it. My dad once told my mom that she was his north. No matter which way she twists, turns, and tries to evade their truth, he’s pointing straight at her.
They were meant to be together, Drew, and you are going to be my wife one day.
That’s why I gave you the compass, and that’s why it’s always belonged to you. ”