Chapter 4
FOUR
JANE
Austin emerged from the break room and crossed the open plan office with purpose, his complexion pale but his chin set determinedly. He turned toward me slowly, and something about the way he looked at me gave me the chills.
“Are you okay?” I asked, growing more concerned by the second.
“Yeah,” he said brusquely, but then hesitated. “Can you please come in? There’s something we need to discuss.”
I frowned, wondering what had made him so serious. “Sure.”
I rose and followed him into Gus’s office, sparing a glance for the framed poster of Austin on the wall. I’d always thought he looked particularly handsome in that one.
A chair was already positioned in front of the desk for Austin, so I grabbed another and dragged it over, only noticing when I sat down that he couldn’t seem to decide whether to stare at me or avoid my gaze completely.
Heat crept up the back of my neck, my tongue already thickening in my mouth. What on earth was going on?
I snuck a peek at Gus, only to find him watching us both, a smirk twisting the corner of his mouth.
“I have a job offer to make you. One with additional responsibilities. But first, I’d like to know: Is it true that you’re Pete Wright’s daughter?” Austin seemed almost wary as he added, “Alec Wright’s sister?”
Ah. Now the looks he kept giving me made sense. Gus must have clued Austin into my identity.
“Yes.” I didn’t look up. My lungs tightened and my leg began to jiggle of its own accord.
What kind of job offer would make him ask that?
And what more help could he need? I already managed his life and prepared his meals.
“It isn’t a secret exactly, but I use my mother’s maiden name most of the time because I prefer to avoid the kind of attention ‘Wright’ tends to draw. ”
Being the subject of widespread interest as someone with a language fluency problem wasn’t a good time. I’d much rather fly under the radar.
“You lied to me about your name. Don’t you trust me?” The words gusted from him, and based on his expression, I think he hadn’t meant to ask.
Slowly, I raised my eyes. “It wasn’t really a lie. And I do trust you. It just… didn’t seem like a big deal.”
I hadn’t wanted it to be a big deal.
The way Austin’s nostrils flared and his lips pressed into a firm line gave me the impression he disagreed. Either that, or maybe I’d wounded his pride by not confessing all. It wasn’t as if we sat around having heart-to-hearts, though.
Gus snorted. “It’s definitely a big deal.”
“Why?”
Austin cleared his throat. “I want to be captain.”
“You deserve to be,” I agreed, wondering what this had to do with me.
His expression softened. “I’m glad you think so.”
“The problem is, how do we make him stand out to the team’s new management as the obvious choice?” Gus asked.
“He should already be the obvious choice.” The only other viable option, in my mind, was Nick Kelly. Maybe one of the transfers would be up to the job, but they didn’t know the other players well enough to be considered seriously for the role.
“Perhaps,” Gus allowed. “But being a good scorer and having a long history with the team aren’t necessarily the only considerations.
Nick Kelly and Matt Matthews have also played for the team for years.
Brian Taylor might be nearing the end of his career and he doesn’t have the same panache that Austin and Nick do, but he’s a family man, with a wife who attends all the games and two adorable children. That looks good to fans.”
I considered this and had to admit that Gus had a point. I couldn’t know which player would be the most appealing to the team’s management without also knowing what their priorities were.
“If I were them, I’d be looking for a stable, calming influence,” Gus said. “Someone who’s a decent player, but who will bring the team to heel and who is respected and settled within the local community.”
I nodded. “I follow that logic.”
“I doubt they’ll consider anyone from the third or fourth lines,” he continued, “which reduces the pool of options. In my opinion, they’ll prioritize those with families or at the very least, partners who have lives of their own in Chicago.
The team needs someone who’ll stick around and won’t cause drama.
Especially after how badly Taggert fucked up with that reporter. ”
“Hmm.” I wasn’t sure I’d have arrived at the same conclusion, but I couldn’t disagree with his reasoning either. It made sense. But again, what did this have to do with me? Why the interest in my family?
Austin drew in a deep breath. “Gus thinks that I would be a more appealing candidate for captain if I had a serious partner. You know that I don’t have time to date, so it makes sense to hire someone to fill the role.”
“Oh.” I supposed it did make sense, in a way, but it would certainly complicate matters. Hopefully, the woman he chose wouldn’t mind that Austin’s female assistant lived above his garage. I’d rather not have to find somewhere else to stay.
He cleared his throat. “You already work for me, and I trust you. How would you feel about pretending to be in a relationship with me?”
My head snapped around, and I stared at him, completely caught off guard. “W-w-what?”
My throat constricted, and I struggled to slow my breathing and ease the tension before it choked me.
“We’re often together, so nothing would have to change.
” The words tumbled from his lips, uncharacteristically quickly.
There was a glint of panic in his eyes, and his cheeks had become flushed.
“It would effectively just mean assigning you additional duties, which you would be paid for. Besides, as Gus pointed out to me earlier, you’ve got the kind of background our fans will love. ”
“Hockey Princess Dates Heartless Harris,” Gus agreed, spreading his hands as if to indicate a headline in a tabloid. “They’ll eat it up, and the connection to the Wrights can only help. There are so many good angles for the press to work with.”
My head spun. I clasped the arms of the chair, my knuckles white, as my gut churned. My heart thudded almost painfully in my chest and the echo of it beat in my ears like a drum.
Of everything I might have expected from this meeting, being propositioned to join my boss in some kind of fraudulent relationship hadn’t been anywhere on the list. I’d never imagined that he’d smash our boss/employee boundaries to smithereens so fully.
My body suddenly felt heavy. Not only was this stepping over a boundary I hadn’t realized Austin was willing to cross, but it showed just how little he’d gotten to know me during our time together.
If he had even the slightest insight into who I am as a person, he’d never have asked this of me. I used my mother’s maiden name for a reason. The last thing I wanted was to have a fake love story about me plastered all through the media.
“Not much would change,” Austin went on, oblivious to my horror. “I didn’t like the idea at first, but when I really thought about it…”
I opened my mouth but couldn’t make it work. Nightmarish memories flashed through my mind of all the times I’d been unable to speak up for myself in the past. Incidents when my own body had betrayed me, refusing to form the words needed to express myself.
I wouldn’t allow that to happen now.
I focused on my breathing and remained quiet until I was certain I could get out what I needed to.
“No.”
Austin and Gus both frowned, taken aback by my vehemence.
“You obviously wouldn’t need to do anything uh… intimate… with me.” Austin seemed hesitant. He was likely surprised because I rarely refused him anything. “Of course, if you still say no, it won’t affect your job, but if you were to agree, we’d make sure you’re compensated well.”
I stood and pushed my chair back. The chair legs squeaked on the tiled floor. Clenching my fists at my sides, I struggled to keep hold of myself.
“There’s a reason I don’t advertise my relationship with Dad and Alec.” I forced the statement out through gritted teeth. “There’s a reason that I’m an assistant and didn’t seek a flashier job in the industry. I-I—”
My tongue started to trip over itself, and I paused, praying that my face wasn’t as red as I suspected it was. I wouldn’t embarrass myself by regressing when I’d worked so hard to mask my condition.
I tried again. “I have no say in who my family is.” I loved them, of course, but that was beside the point. “Because of something completely beyond my control, you’ve decided that I’m a convenient tool.”
I wasn’t sure which one of them I was addressing the accusation to, but their suggestion stung.
I knew Austin didn’t consider me a friend, but it hurt to know that he’d be fine using me when it suited him.
I’d thought better of him than that. I’d had enough people try to use me for my connections before. I didn’t need it from him too.
“Jane.” Gus started to rise, but my eyes narrowed and he stopped in his tracks. “As Austin said, it doesn’t have to be a huge thing.”
“But it is to me,” I protested, hating the way my breath hitched. “Real or not, I don’t want to be an NHL girlfriend. I don’t want the attention that comes along with it.”
There would be so much potential to make a fool of myself or to have a panic attack and lose my ability to speak at the worst possible time.
“It could mean a massive step forward for Austin’s career.” Gus’s tone was soft. Placating. “He deserves the captaincy. He’s worked hard for it. Don’t you want that for him?”
“I do.” I gritted my teeth, amazed by his sheer audacity in implementing what was basically a guilt trip.
“And he does deserve it—or at least, I thought he did before now. While I can understand why you believe this plan might work, I don’t want to be part of it, and it isn’t fair of you to ask me to be. ”
My voice rose toward the end.
Austin stood. “Jane, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize—”
“I need space,” I interrupted. “Please d-don’t contact me again today.
Tomorrow, I expect us to all behave p-professionally again and for there to be n-no more mention of this.
” I panted, unable to fill my lungs properly.
The top of my mouth prickled, and my tongue sat heavy behind my teeth.
My ribcage felt like it was tightening with every moment that passed, and I feared that I was well beyond talking further.
Fury and humiliation burned behind my eyes. I didn’t want to hear anything else they had to say, and the thought of trying to reply and being unable to made me sick, so I turned on my heel and stormed out, shoving the door open and slamming it behind me.
I stalked around the cubicles, ignoring everyone, because if I acknowledged even one of the people staring at me, then I might break down. I took the elevator to the parking basement and headed straight to the Range Rover.
With a quick check to make sure no one was hiding in the shadows—always a valid fear in dark, abandoned areas—I unlocked the car and got in. Rage simmered in my blood as I reversed out of the space and followed the exit signs onto the street.
I drove without knowing where I was going, jabbing a finger at the music system to stop Austin’s playlist. It reminded me of his stupid face, and I didn’t need that right now.
The quiet should have relaxed me, but it didn’t.
Damn the new owner of the Chicago Chaos and the new management and my goddamn boss and everyone who was conspiring to ruin the calm, routine existence I’d carved out for myself.
I liked being known only as Austin’s assistant. I suspected that a few of the players, like Nick Kelly and Matt Matthews, knew whom I was related to, but they’d never mentioned it to me. There’d just been a hint of recognition in their eyes when we’d met, and nothing had ever come of it.
I liked that.
I was comfortable being ignored. While it may not be great for my love life, it sure was good for my peace of mind.
The Range Rover stopped. Looking around, I realized I was parked in front of a nearby ice rink that I liked to visit to clear my mind.
I checked that I was parked appropriately and killed the engine, then hesitated for a moment, a pang of guilt passing through me at the thought of leaving Austin without a ride home.
I’d basically stolen his car and ditched him.
But I hardened myself. He could call a taxi. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t afford the expense, and he deserved it after the shit he’d pulled.
I got out, locked the Range Rover, and made a beeline through the front doors. I paid for entry and rented a pair of skates. They wouldn’t be as good as my own, but mine were back at Austin’s place, so I’d have to make do.
I chose a seat by myself and donned the skates. No one bothered me as I glided onto the ice and found a small area where I shouldn’t be interrupted by anyone else. It was a weekday afternoon, so there were a few teenagers around but not many others.
For a couple of minutes, I just got the feel of the ice and warmed up my legs, but when the next song began, I started to move.
First, I kept it simple, but as my muscles grew pliant and my comfort level increased, I added spins and even a few jumps, falling into one of the core routines I’d learned during my years of figure skating.
Time fell away. I kept rhythm with the music, ebbing and flowing with the beats of each song. No one got into my way, and I made sure to stay clear of them as well.
By the time I stopped, I’d worked up a sweat and my legs and core ached pleasantly.
I left the ice slightly calmer than I’d been when I’d arrived. My clothes were sticking to me, and I wished I’d thought to bring a change, but for all that I was prepared to meet most of Austin’s needs, I wasn’t as thorough when it came to my own.
Grimacing, I pinched the neck of my shirt and let a little air flow down the front. I’d have to wait until I got back to Austin’s place before showering.
Speaking of the devil, what was I supposed to do now?
I couldn’t just return to my job as if nothing had happened. I wasn’t the sort of person who could forget a massive overstepping of professional boundaries like this. But all my belongings were there, and technically, I still worked for him. Unless I wanted to quit, I’d better figure it out.
As tempting as quitting might be, I liked my job for the most part. I also didn’t want to have to try to find another one when I was so close to graduating. Who’d want to hire me when it was obvious I’d leave as soon as I was qualified to find work as a speech therapist?
I withdrew my phone from my bag and checked, not sure whether to be disappointed that neither Austin nor Gus had tried to call or thankful that they’d honored my request for space. I pocketed my phone and left.
What the hell was I going to do next?