Chapter 6
RIX
I ’ve done plenty of stupid things in my life. But antagonizing Tristan might top the list. Realizing he finds me attractive even though he can’t stand me gives me power. The problem is, I’m not sure how to wield it effectively.
Tristan is scarce over the next two days, which is curious.
He leaves before Flip wakes, and returns in the evening, grabs food, and disappears into his room for the rest of the night.
At first, I thought he was in avoidance mode.
When I asked Flip if everything was okay, he said Nate was down for a visit and Brody had a hockey game, so he was spending time with family.
I don’t want to find that sweet, but I do.
Also, my ego prefers the avoidance option.
I catch Flip between hockey practice and one of his many dates and sit him down to go over his bank statements before my interview.
“All these small withdrawals? What are they for?” I tap the yellow-highlighted expenses, most ranging from twenty to fifty dollars, but occasionally there’s one for a hundred or two hundred bucks. This week he made a thousand-dollar withdrawal and gave me eight hundred to cover groceries.
He inspects the list and runs his fingers through his hair. “That’s bar money.”
“Are there other expenses on your credit card, too?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Not typically. I usually pay cash at the bar.”
“And you only spend between twenty and fifty dollars a night?” I confirm.
He nods. “Yeah. I only ever drink one beer and then switch to water. Sometimes it’s my turn to buy a round, so those are the nights when it’s more expensive, or I’ll buy someone a drink.
But I don’t bring wasted women home, and I don’t get wasted if the plan is to find a hookup, which it usually is. ”
“You only have one drink?” I parrot.
He gives me a look. “Bars are expensive, and getting drunk is a bad idea if I want some action.”
“Right. Okay. That makes sense.” In some ways, I suppose it’s better that he’s sober when he’s bringing all these women home.
But the fact that he’s totally clear-headed when he makes these choices is also unexpected.
I file that one away to think about later.
Or not. “Okay, I’ll add up your monthly bar expenses and everything else and tailor a better plan for you. ”
“Cool. I gotta meet with my agent this afternoon, but text if you have questions.” He leaves me to my job-interview prep.
Yesterday, I spent a few hours with Hemi going over mock interview questions, so I feel more prepared.
It takes most of today to come up with a new plan for Flip and turn it into a dynamic presentation, but by the time I’m done, I have projected investment-revenue streams spanning one, three, and five years based on his current annual salary.
Flip and Tristan don’t come back until late, which means I don’t have to deal with them before bed. Hopefully by next week I’ll be gainfully employed again and I can start the apartment-hunting mission.
The following afternoon, I head to my interview at Dean and Sons.
I’m nervous, but Hemi has assured me I have this in the bag.
Graduating at the top of my class doesn’t hurt, and neither does her recommendation.
Then there’s having a brother who plays pro hockey and lets me comb through his financial portfolio.
All those negligible amounts he spends at the bar add up, but it’s certainly within what he can afford.
And he further ensures that by living with his best friend in a much cheaper condo than he could reasonably pay for each month.
My goal for Flip is to maximize his current investments, so he doesn’t have to continue to live in fear of all his earnings disappearing and he’ll know his lifestyle is secure even after he retires from hockey.
Dean and Sons is in a gorgeous, modern building with a great team and friendly, dynamic staff. I’m one of several candidates for two positions, and I have another interview set up for a lower-level position with a different firm early next week, in case this doesn’t go the way I hope.
But they whisk me inside, and then it’s all happening, and the interview goes incredibly smoothly.
They love the financial-plan revisions I made for my brother—the way I consider his travel schedule and condo fees versus property management expenses for a house with a yard.
I provide a budget for each option, along with the pros and cons of each.
By the end, we’re all laughing about creative accounting techniques for professional athletes and what expenses need the most massaging.
I text Hemi as soon as I leave the interview.
She calls me a few seconds later. “Where are you right now?”
“Just leaving Dean and Sons, heading for the subway.”
“I’m a block away. Want to meet for a drink? You can tell me about it in three dimensions?”
“Are you sure you have time?” I ask.
“Yup. I just finished making Dallas’s life miserable, and I need to celebrate. There’s a martini bar called The Dirty Olive on the corner of Church and Yonge. Meet us there in ten?”
“Sure. Sounds great.” It isn’t until after she ends the call that the “us” registers.
Seven minutes later, I arrive at The Dirty Olive.
It’s swanky, and not a place I would typically frequent because the drinks are pricey.
But I just had an interview, and it seems to have gone well.
I can afford to splurge on one expensive cocktail.
I’ll trim my entertainment budget for the week and won’t buy that tub of Moose Tracks ice cream. Totally worth the sacrifice.
With Essie in Vancouver and the end of me and Rob, I’ve felt untethered.
I miss the comfort of Essie’s friendship and the security of a long-term boyfriend.
I’d hoped Eugenia and Claude would be fun roommates, but that turned into a bag of shit real fast. So it’s nice to have a potential new friend, even if she’s connected to my brother’s job.
When I enter, Hemi is already seated at a high-top table with another woman. She has a chin-length bob, dark eyes framed with enviably thick lashes, and the physique of an athlete.
“Hey, Rix!” Hemi stands and pulls me in for a hug. “I hope you don’t mind. I brought along a friend.”
“The more the merrier,” I reply. I’m not dying to get home and hang out with Flip and Tristan and their flavors of the night. Although so far only Flip is bringing home bedroom friends.
“Rix, this is Hammer. Hammer, this is Rix.” Hemi motions between us. “Rix is Madden’s sister; Hammer is Hammerstein’s daughter.”
“Hey!” I recall Tristan saying something about Hammerstein having a daughter my age the day of the fight-fire-with-fire mission.
Hammerstein is the oldest member of the team, but he’s not even forty.
And Hammer looks like she might be fresh out of her teens.
She’s in a bar, drinking, so she must be at least nineteen.
I can’t see Hemi bringing her here otherwise.
“Hammer’s completing her university internship with me this semester, and we’re having an absolute blast, aren’t we?” Hemi says with a smile.
Hammer grins. “Best internship already, and I started two days ago. And my actual name is Peggy, which is also my great-grandma’s name. Rest in peace.” She makes the sign of the cross. “But the team calls me Hammer.”
“Got it. My actual name is Beatrix, which is also a grandma’s name. My parents liked to shorten our names, so I became Rix, and my brother became Flip because I couldn’t pronounce it when I was a kid. It took on a whole new meaning when he became a pro hockey player, though.”
Hammer makes a face. “Oh yeah, he’s got quite the reputation.”
“He does,” I agree.
“I’m also named after my grandmother, who thankfully is still around and full of sass,” Hemi notes. “But Wilhelmina is a ridiculously long name, and I drove a Hemi in high school. The nickname stuck.”
“Why did you drive a Hemi?” I ask.
“My moms wanted a safe vehicle. They thought a truck with a powerful engine that also could drive over pretty much anything qualified.”
“That’s legit.” I still don’t own a car. Living in Toronto means relying on public transit.
Hemi nods and switches gears. “So, tell me about the interview. Did you show them all your fancy charts and wow their socks off?”
“I think it went well. By the end, we were laughing and chatting. It was relaxed. I feel like they’re a lot more my speed than my last job.
” Although I’m still not one hundred percent sure accounting is the right field for me.
I do love putting together weekly meal plans for my brother and Tristan.
I’m not sure how I could spin that into a money-making career, though. It would require a lot more school.
“Who interviewed you? Mike and Laura?” Hemi asks.
“Yeah, and Fergie.”
“You made Fergie laugh? You’re definitely getting the job. We need to celebrate your impending employment.”
The server comes over, and I order a glass of water and a chocolate martini.
Hammer’s phone buzzes, and she checks the screen, rolling her eyes.
“Hold on a second. It’s my dad.” She answers the call.
“Hey, I’m in the middle of a debriefing with Hemi.
Can I call you back later?” She purses her lips.
“You don’t need to wait on me for dinner.
I’ll probably be another hour, maybe a bit more.
We’ll grab a bite… No, I don’t need a ride.
Dad, I’ve been living off-campus for the past three years.
I’m super well versed in taking the subway.
I’ll be fine. Yes, I’ll message when I’m on my way home.
Oh my God, no. Do not have Hollis pick me up.
That’s ridiculous. I’m fine. I need to go. I love you.” She ends the call.
“Is everything okay?” I ask. Maybe I pegged Roman wrong. He seemed pretty laid back when I met him.