Chapter 31
We drove home two days later because Jeremy needed to be back. I took the last few days of my holidays to hang out with Tangi and give her an update on my time with the Vaughns. She commented on how happy I looked, and I couldn’t lie. I’d had a fantastic time. Tangi and I called Wolseley and managed to pin her down for a visit to Vancouver. With the busy restaurant season out of the way, she said she’d come at the end of January. Tangi and I weren’t satisfied with that, and wouldn’t let the subject go until she’d booked her flight.
My last few days of holidays were up, and that meant my new added job with the Ravens. I had approved the job description with HR, and they planned to post the job. I was assured a replacement would be found by the end of next month. In the meantime, I would have to rely on the small Raven’s team—so one other person in the PR department—and my team. Thankfully, the Ravens players managed to stay out of trouble.
One aspect of the job I’d grown to loathe was our interdepartmental meetings with the marketing crew. Mark, as usual, was a thorn in my side, fighting us on everything. Our latest meeting was no different, and in typical Mark fashion, he decided to go on the attack. I wondered if he spent all his free time coming up with ways to make my life difficult. I thought I’d somehow managed to avoid his vitriol, but as our meeting was wrapping up, he went for the jugular.
“I know that we are finished here,” he began, “but I have a few questions. First, congrats on the new job, Jill.”
Nothing good came from a compliment from Mark. “Thank you.”
He looked extra slimy today, with his dark brown hair slicked back like a used car salesman. His excessively white teeth sneered into a smile, and I braced myself.
“My team and I were wondering how you plan to juggle all this, especially since you’re relatively new to the job, unless Clay has waived your probationary period.”
Ah, the backhanded compliment. “I’m sure you’re aware that my position with the Ravens is temporary. And don’t worry about me juggling my two hats. I have a great team with the Kodiaks that can handle anything thrown at them.” I could see he was opening his mouth, so I kept talking. “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we can adjourn. If you’d still like to have a chat, I’d be happy to,” I said to Mark with a smile.
Our teams filed out, but Mark didn’t move from his seat at the boardroom table. He kept up his faux smile, and so did I, waiting for his next insult. I’d give him a few minutes before I took off.
“Of course, I only want you to succeed,” Mark said.
“Of course,” I said, matching his phony tone.
“But I’ve been hearing rumors. I’m sure you are aware of them?”
I kept my body language confident, because assholes like Mark thrived on people’s fears and anxiety. I maintained my posture and barely moved, and made sure my expression didn’t change. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I’m sure that you’re more than capable at your job, and your team appears to like you, but people are wondering about your relationship with Jeremy Vaughn. They don’t think it’s a good look. Should you really be dating one of the players? It’s a little unseemly.”
Not once did I crack. “I don’t think my relationship with Jeremy is anyone’s business, and I can assure you it doesn’t affect the day-to-day operations of the Kodiaks.”
“True enough. And normally your relationship wouldn’t be anyone’s business, but it’s a rather public relationship. You do post an awful lot about it on your social media platforms.”
“Are you stalking me?” I said as a joke, although it wasn’t really meant as one.
“No. But people have mentioned it.”
He was such a slimy bastard. “We aren’t hurting anyone. Is it bothering you?”
He shook his head and laughed. “No, it doesn’t bother me one bit, but the perception isn’t great. It makes people uncomfortable.”
“Are you suggesting I break up with him because it makes you and others uncomfortable?”
“No, that’s a decision you would have to make. I’m not in your shoes, but if I were, I’d worry about future prospects.”
I fought so hard not to roll my eyes. “Well, I appreciate all of your concern. Is there anything else? I do have to get back to actual work.”
Yup, his time was up, and I wasn’t giving him any more oxygen.
“Still on the subject of Jeremy Vaughn, another rumor is going around that the whole relationship with him is a charade. That Clay came up with it to make sure Vaughn didn’t get tarred and feathered by the media and public opinion. As you’re in PR, you’d understand all the fear of that happening.”
My smile slipped a little. I racked my brain trying to remember who knew about the fake relationship that now wasn’t fake at all. No, I would have to deal with that later, if at all. I also had to consider the possibility that Mark was bluffing.
“There is nothing fake about my relationship with Jeremy, and I certainly don’t have to defend that to you. If I can give you a piece of professional advice?”
He nodded with his familiar smirk.
“You have crossed a line. And your behavior right now reeks of unprofessionalism. I know you’re better than that, and above gossip and spreading misinformation.”
He snarled for just a second, and I could see that I’d hit a nerve. The smile vanished from his face and darkness passed through his brown eyes. “We are colleagues, Jill, and I’d hate to see you bring the team down with your questionable behavior. I’m going to set aside the niceties and be frank with you. Everyone knows Clay has a soft spot for you. We also know that Clay likes to cheat on his wives with younger women. You wouldn’t be the first. The convenient relationship you have with Vaughn is to serve two purposes: get Vaughn out of trouble and to hide your affair with Clay. It’s not a secret.”
My mouth opened in shock, then I burst into laughter. “Affair with Clay? Are you serious right now?”
“Very. We all know what’s going on. Who gets an office two doors down from his after working here for two months? And don’t you live in a fancy condo downtown? And the two PR jobs? It’s his way of funneling cash to keep you happy. Who do you think you’re kidding?”
I couldn’t stop another round of laughter. “I got the office because I asked for it. I also got the office because I’m doing a damn good job. Not that it’s your business, but I declined the office, but Clay was impressed with the work I’d done with Jeremy’s issue and rewarded me with it. Now let me tell you about the condo, since you seem to be misinformed. That condo is owned jointly by my friend Tangi and her husband. I rent it from them. Finally, if you think working two PR jobs is a perk, I would love to know what you’re smoking.”
He sighed dramatically. “Let’s recap. You got one of the best offices in the building because you did a stellar job getting Vaughn out of a jam by dating him. The condo you’re renting is owned by Ethan Grant, the Kodiak who got you the PR job in the first place, and the two PR jobs? Clay is trying to prove how indispensable his mistress is.”
I’d had enough. No more fa?ade. My foundation was crumbling, and I was okay with it. “This is appalling. You should be embarrassed. I’m taking this to HR.”
Mark shrugged and gathered the papers in front of him and put them in a folder. “Go ahead. Please, I encourage you to do it. Let’s bring to light all the shit that’s been going on around here. I’m sure everyone wants to know how sincere your relationship with Vaughn is, and how you got that gorgeous office of yours. Maybe you can clarify your relationship with Clay. I’m sure he’d love that all over the papers. Let me know how it goes. Unless the PR genius in you realizes what a dangerous move that would be. Have a nice day, Jill.”
He left, and I swallowed the hard lump in my throat. The piece of shit had nothing on me, and I had more than enough to go to HR with, but he knew I wasn’t going to do that. If I filed a complaint against him, HR would interview everyone in our departments, possibly everyone associated with me, including Jeremy and Ethan. Maybe even Tangi. And worse, all these unfounded rumors would come out, and even though they weren’t true, people would believe them. It killed me, but I had no choice but to do nothing and hope that Mark kept his mouth shut.
For a second, I thought of going to Clay and telling him everything, but that would blow up in my face if he fired Mark. Mark would then scream from every rooftop that I was having an affair with Clay. I massaged my temples and wanted to scream. How had this all happened? I needed to think this through and come up with a plan. Mark wasn’t going to win.
I walked back to my office and passed Oliver.
“Hey, Jill, I was just coming to look for you. You have a call from someone named Bill Rebchuk. He said he’s your dad? He left his number and wants you to call him back.”
If only I’d known this would be the beginning of the worst January of my life.