Chapter 2
I absently brushed a cat fur off my jumper and resisted the urge to pull out my phone and check my lipstick. The last time I looked in a mirror was about three minutes ago. I was almost certain I hadnt gotten it all over my teeth in that short amount of time.
Just to be sure, I ran my tongue over the front of my teeth and straightened my skirt.
It wasnt every day I got to meet the boss. Not my immediate boss, Id met her already, but the big boss. The owner of the Storm Valley Rapids.
Mr Thomas will see you now, Grace, Mary said from behind her big reception desk. She gave me a wink. Dont worry, he doesnt bite.
I responded with a watery smile. Im sure he doesnt. I wasnt worried about that. Id heard Mr Thomas fires people if he takes a dislike to them. That was much scarier than the idea of being bitten. Okay, my priorities might be a bit off, but that was where my brain went.
Be glad youre not Bam right now, Mary said, a rueful grimace on her face.
I know, right? I wouldnt trade places with him today. On the other hand, people like him were why the Rapids hired people like me.
I nodded to Mary and knocked on the boss door before I pushed it open.
Carson Thomas sat behind a wooden desk which looked like it cost more than I made in six months. Okay, nine months.
I knew from an internet search that he was in his late fifties and onto wife number four. He was easily recognisable from the photos online, but he was better looking in person.
If a girl was into billionaires who changed partners like I changed lipstick colour. The word player came to mind. Not my type at all.
Reclining on a leather couch off to the side of the room was Carsons oldest child, Rubie. The daughter of his second wife, she was close to my age. Right now, she seemed more interested in her phone than anything or anyone else in the room. With model good looks and flaming red hair, she had about a bajillion social media followers.
If her father was trying to groom her to take over as team owner some day, hed have some work to do. She oozed disinterest.
I flashed Carson a smile. Good morning, Mr Thomas. My name is Grace Hardy. Im honoured to work for the team. Can I say how excited I am at the incredible opportunity to be publicist here?
And crap, I was gushing. I hadnt meant to do that. Making a fool of myself was not how I planned to start this meeting.
If it bothered him, he didnt show it. Instead, he smiled and spoke in a rumbly voice.
Please, call me Carson. Its nice to meet someone who gets so much enjoyment from their work.
From the couch, Rubie snorted.
Carson glanced at her. The side of his mouth tugged back with disapproval.
I looked down at the thick, expensive carpet on the floor and waited for the moment to pass. Whatever went on between father and daughter was none of my business.
Please, take a seat, Carson said finally. He waved to one opposite him.
Thank you, sir.
I slid into the leather seat and crossed my legs at my knees. As subtly as I could, I tugged my skirt down a bit, toward my knees.
I caught Rubies eye. She looked at me like I was trying to throw myself at her father, or something ridiculous like that.
I offered her a smile, but she rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to her phone.
Carson cleared his throat.
I smiled as though I wasnt bothered at all. For all I knew, this might be a test of some kind.
I pushed Rubie Thomas out of my mind. I wasnt going to let some spoiled brat ruin my dream job. No freakin way.
Were just waiting on Mr Clinton. Ah, here he is. Carson didnt even try to hide his annoyance as Abraham Bam Clinton sauntered into the room like he was the one who owned the place.
Hey Carson, he greeted cheerfully. Rubes.
Rubie glanced up long enough to give him a disinterested smirk.
Bam. Carsons voice was tight. Im sure youre more than aware of my thoughts on players fighting. Especially in public. He didnt pull any punches. In spite of his words, he looked angry enough to throw one.
I didnt touch anyone, Bam replied.
I probably would have crawled under my chair if Carson spoke to me that way, but Bam was undeterred.
Thats not what the police said, Carson reminded him. He pulled out a pair of glasses and pushed them onto his face. He opened his computer and read off the screen.
You shoved the guy, then proceeded to become more aggressive. You threatened him on the way to the station. What, if any of that, is untrue? Carson slid his glasses off and let them dangle from his fingers.
Bam shifted in his chair. Its all true, but with good reason.
He didnt seem even slightly sorry about what he did. If anything, he looked like he was proud of himself. Big bad football god, immune from getting into trouble for behaving badly.
I had a feeling he was in for a surprise.
What reason could possibly be good enough that you would bring yourself, and the team into disrepute? Carsons voice was calm, but his eyes flashed with anger. The tips of his ears were bright red.
I was defending my sister, Bam said, as though somehow that would make all of this all right. The asshole, I mean, the other guy, was callin her all sorts of names and making remarks about her clothing. Offensive remarks. Things no one should say about any woman.
So, you tried to leave the bar and he stopped you? Carson asked. He put his glasses back on and read again. It doesnt seem like that was what happened.
Yeah, uh. Bam glanced toward the desk. It happened so fast. Before anything went down, I suggested to my sister that maybe we drink somewhere else, but she wanted to stay.
I made a face at him. Nice job throwing his sister under the bus. What kind of jerk does that?
Carson clearly had the same thought. He looked at Bam over the top of his glasses.
Next time, I suggest you think for yourself, rather than getting into a fight in a public bar. He tugged off his glasses so fast I dont know how they didnt snap. Youre lucky you werent charged and thrown behind bars. You know what that would do for your reputation and your career. He let those words hang in the air for a moment.
Bam cleared his throat.
Before he could speak, Rubie said, Youd be released from your contract. Dad doesnt like when people dont behave.
I glanced over at her. She didnt seem to have broken eye contact with her phone, but she was obviously listening.
Right before I looked away, her eyes flicked up. She gave me a sarcastic smile. Obviously Dad didnt like it when she misbehaved either.
I gave a smile in return, but I didnt think she saw it. I turned back to see Bam rubbing a hand over the back of his neck.
Look, I didnt mean for anything to happen. I should have dragged Chantel out, but shes headstrong. She woulda stayed there by herself. I couldnt let her do that. Shes my kid sister. If anything happened to her?—
I understand the need to be protective. The side of Carsons mouth tightened and his gaze flicked toward Rubie. He blinked and frowned at Bam. You couldnt even try some humility?
He turned the computer around and pressed a button. The screen showed phone video of Bam, security guards hand on his arm, bowing to the crowd.
Its difficult to see any remorse for your actions. Carson raised his eyebrows, waiting to be contradicted.
At least the video went viral, Rubie said. Think of the publicity.
Carson snorted and turned the computer back around. Thats exactly what I am thinking of. This, he waved a hand at the computer, is not what I want people to think of when they think of the Rapids. I want them to see role models, who play a good, clean game of football. Were there for our fans. We give back to charity.
I do those things, Bam said. Just last month, I?—
Last month, Carson echoed. People dont remember last week. You know what they do remember? Times when players screwed up and got dragged away by the police.
I wasnt dragged, Bam muttered.
Close enough, Carson said. He rubbed his forehead with his fingertips. Youre lucky no one got you on camera shoving this guy. Just as lucky your sister wasnt arrested for punching him.
She has a mean right hook. Rubie sounded impressed.
Dont she though? Bam said with a grin.
It faded when Carson frowned at him.
I mean, I have no idea where she learned to hit like that, Bam added quickly.
Im sure you dont. Carson shook his head. That doesnt matter. What does matter is what we do about this. And what we do about you.
Im leaning toward forgiveness, Bam said. He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his burly chest. He looked smug, like hed delivered an epic mic drop.
Im leaning toward restoring your reputation, and that of the team, Carson said. He waved toward me. Thats why Grace is here.
Bam looked at me like he hadnt noticed I was there until now. He didnt look happy to see me.
I dont need therapy, if thats what this is about. He narrowed his eyes at me.
I wasnt sure if that was accurate, but it seemed rude to point it out. Instead, I said cool and calm, Im a publicist.
Bam groaned. Come on now, I dont need one of those either. I messed up one time. He held up a thick finger. I know to stay out of bad places. Ill keep me and my sister out of trouble. I swear. Ill be a boy scout from now on. He nodded as though that was that and placed his hands on the seat to either side of him to stand.
Sit down, Carson growled.
Bam flopped back down and crossed his arms again.
Grace and you will work closely together, Carson said firmly. By the time youre done, I expect you to look like the poster boy for the Rapids. A role model for little boys, and girls, everywhere.
I bit a small spot on the inside of my lip. I was good at what I did, but Carson made me sound like a miracle worker. Between Bams reputation and his attitude, Id have my work cut out for me.
Bam grimace. I dont know. Hawk is more the hero type. Chase too maybe. Ollie even. Hell, Stringer too. Im the goofy one.
Youll learn, Carson said coolly. He glanced toward his daughter. The next time you go viral, I want it to be for the right reasons. I have a feeling we might make the Down Under Bowl this year. Im sure youd hate to miss it.
I really would, Bam agreed. He did a double-take. Apparently the not-very-subtle threat sunk into his brain. Yeah, that would really suck. Im not gonna let anything get between me and that game. Nothing, and no one.
He looked at me as though I was somehow the enemy. If he was going to fight me on this, then we were going to have a problem on our hands.
Who was I kidding? I was the one with the problem on my hands. All six foot three of him, muscular build, tattoos and all. He might be hot if he wasnt so obviously a pain in the ass.
Well have him shined up and ship shape in no time, I said with as much confidence as I could muster. I had to. It wasnt just his career on the line here. If I failed, Id be lucky to find work anywhere else.
I gave Bam a firm look. Mess this up for me and Ill— I didnt know what, but it wouldnt be good.