Chapter 19
Carson Thomas tapped the headline on his tablet. If it was a newspaper, Im pretty sure he would have slapped it down on the table. He might do that anyway; he could afford to have a new tablet here within the hour.
Do you really think sleeping with Grace Hardy was a good idea? Carson narrowed his eyes at me.
He clearly expected me to agree with him.
I couldnt.
Well, I could, but not for the reasons he was implying.
Were both consenting adults. I wasnt sure how the press got a hold of the story in the first place. I didnt think she would have gone to them. That didnt seem like her at all. When she left, she seemed determined to forget all about it and move on with her life. That stung, but I had to put on my big boy pants and deal with it.
She was fired from the Rapids, Carson said, as if I could forget. Consorting with someone who left under a cloud makes you look questionable at best. Like youre not a team player.
I jerked up higher in my seat. Im the most teamingest player on the whole team. I didnt care that wasnt a word. Who I spend my time with, after hours, is my business.
Not when youre in the spotlight its not, Carson said. Especially when youre under extra scrutiny because of your past actions.
Thats why Im spending time with Grace, I argued.
Yes, yes. Carson set the tablet down on the desktop with a thud. So my daughter told me. Next time you feel the need to do good, go through a publicist who still works here.
You could rehire Grace. He opened the door, of course I was going to stroll right in. For all I know, hed say yes. How quick could she get here from her place?
No, he replied flatly. She was photographed entering your building and left the next day in mostly the same clothes. Your t-shirt, the press is speculating. Her dismissal from her job here is no secret. At this point, shes becoming as controversial as you are.
My blood started to steam. I should have known someone was stalking one or both of us. It was normal for me. I should have warned Grace it might happen to her.
On the other hand, she was besties with two team girlfriends. She must have some idea the kinds of things the press put them through. Hadnt Bec quit her job because she didnt want to work around those kinds of vultures?
People should mind their own bloody business, I muttered.
They should, but they dont, Carson said. As long as were in the public eye, people will want to know every detail of everything and everyone we do.
It sounded like I wasnt the only one getting a hard time from the press. I hadnt paid much attention. No one on the team mentioned anything at practice.
Theyll certainly want to know if youre sleeping with a former employee. How long has this been going on? He propped his elbow on the desk and rested his cheek on the back of his fingers.
It was one time, I said. Wont happen again. We agreed to meet in public from now on, so no one assumes anything. After the Christmas in July party, well never see each other again.
Speaking those words out loud made me feel like I was ripping out my own heart and stomping on it. But you know, if you rehire her?—
Out of the question, he said before I could even finish my sentence. People are talking enough. If she came back, the press would have a field day. Theyd assume it was because shes your lover.
Shes not my lover, I argued. I just wished she was.
They would assume, Carson said, his voice tight, like he was about done talking about it.
They might not. He might be done, but I wasnt. It was about time I stood up for her. What I did, missing that gala, was in no way her fault. She didnt deserve to be fired because of it. Its not fair.
Life isnt, Carson said.
It can be, I said. What if I threatened to stop playing unless you hire her back again? I crossed my arms over my chest.
Id tell you that you know where the door is, he replied. After a moment, he exhaled loudly. Id also suggest you dont need her help. Your initiative in taking on the Christmas in July party speaks volumes. When its a huge success, you may have built your reputation back up better than attending one gala could have.
Before I could say anything, or even puff out my chest, he added, It would have saved a lot of stress if youd gone to that too though.
Yeah. Stress for Grace in particular. So we both get brownie points for pulling this off?
Carson gave me a level look. For you. I may give Grace a recommendation.
Im sure shed appreciate that, I said. A girl has to eat.
Carson looked confused for a moment, then nodded. Yes, I suppose so.
I had the sneaking suspicion he forgot the average person didnt have a spare billion in the bank to keep them afloat if they lost their job. Many didnt have a spare twenty.
I couldnt see what Grace had in her bank account, but Id personally make sure she was okay, even if I had to sneak money to her somehow. Even if I didnt care about her, I felt responsible for her losing her job, and now this.
I didnt need to think too hard to figure out Harvey Danbury, or someone like him, was behind this. If I was going to punch anyone in a bar, it would be that guy. He seemed to have made it his mission in life to point his finger and his camera at the Rapids every chance he got.
Personally, I think there were more interesting people to talk about, but only because I wished hed leave us the hell alone. Just because we were hot—okay, most of us were—talented and famous, didnt mean we deserved to be stalked. If he wanted some dirt, I could point him to some shady people. Of course, I knew nothing about that. In no way did they help my mother get back on her feet back in the day. I also totally went to school with anyone suspicious. You wouldnt hear anything like that from me.
It wouldnt hurt if you exercised some discretion in your…relationships, Carson said. Youre lucky there are only photos of her outside your place. Intimate photos or videos would be a much bigger problem.
I would never video myself with anyone, I argued. Even with their consent. Phones go missing all the time. Clouds get hacked. Or however that went. I was no tech guy. I left that shit to my cousins.
Good, Carson said. But the wrong person, wrong place and wrong time, and you could get filmed without your consent. He looked back at his tablet for a moment. Can you be sure Grace didnt tell the press where shed be?
I didnt know what was worse, him making that suggestion, or the fact I was only ninety-nine percent sure she wouldnt do that. One percent was all I needed to rattle the hell out of me.
Im pretty sure she wouldnt even think of it, I said uncertainly.
It could be revenge for your part in her getting fired, Carson suggested.
Revenge sex sounded like something that would turn up in the kind of books my sister read. Okay, I might have read a couple too, when I had time. That shit didnt happen in real life. Did it? Okay, yeah it was possible.
Grace isnt like that, I argued. I knew women who were. Hell, Id dated a few. Grace was classier than that.
You know her that well? Carson asked.
I gaped for a moment. I really didnt. I couldnt even pretend I did.
Im a good judge of character, I said finally. I spotted that Erik guy, and knew he was trouble before Chantel and I ever set foot in that bar. Although, I was friends with Chase, and he was as dubious as shit. Only, he wasnt really. He was a good guy, like most of the team. A couple of them were jerks, but they were pretty harmless off the field.
Carson raised his eyebrows, but said nothing. Dude was on his third or fourth divorce. He was in no position to throw stones, even if he could pay to have his glass house fixed in a heartbeat.
Anyway, I can talk to her and get her side of this, I said. Before he could respond, I added, In public. No sneakin around. Unless she changed her mind and decided sneaking around was a good idea. Then Id find a way to do it without the press getting a sniff of it. I didnt know how. Id find a way.
Just keep it from getting out of hand, Carson said wearily. Id hate to have to ban you from being anywhere near her.
I flinched. Thats not necessary. He could do it too, by threatening to kick my ass off the team. When I thought Grace and I had a chance, it was a no brainer. I would give it all up for her.
Now, I had to hold onto my job, if only to keep my mind off her.
Yeah, that wasnt going so well, so far. After the party, then I could move on.
The only things I want to hear, or read, about you from now on is how well youre playing and how you made a bunch of sick kids smile. Otherwise I expect your toes to be well within the line. Understood?
Yeah, gotcha, I replied. You wont see my toes, theyll be so well behaved. Also it was winter in Victoria, Australia, and bare feet were currently out of style. I like my extremities without frostbite. Some extremities more than others, but I was attached to my toes.
Good. Carson lowered his hands to the desk. Were a few games from getting a real shot at the Down Under Bowl. I dont want anyone to screw that up. From the look on his face, I was definitely anyone and so was Grace.
If anyone screws that up, they can answer to me, I said firmly. It sure as hell wont be my ass messing it up.
Its not your ass Im worried about, Carson said. You wouldnt be the first to make bad decisions with his dick.
Aint that the truth. I was pretty sure Carson Thomas was making bad choices with his since before I was born.
My dick will be as well behaved as my toes, I said. Maybe even more so. That particular body part was staying out of trouble until after the party. Maybe until after the Down Under Bowl, but that was asking a lot of the guy. And the man he was attached to.
Good, make sure it is. Carson nodded.
I was tempted to ask about his. It seemed like his love life would make a much juicier front page than mine. Hell, for all I knew, he owned the local news outlets, and paid the wages of people like Harvey Danbury. That would be a good way to stay off the radar. If that was the case, couldnt he do the same for me?
I guessed not, or he would have.
A knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts.
Mary, the receptionist, opened the door. She smiled at me before saying, Carson, you wanted to know when Jerry was in?
Right, yes, Ill be right there. Carson nodded.
I had no idea who Jerry was, but I knew when my time was up here.
I stood. Nice talk. Ill catch you later.
Yes, later, Bam. Carson waved me out the door, clearly distracted already.
I shot Mary a brilliant smile and sauntered out the door. I made it three steps before I had my phone in my hand.