Chapter 26 #4
“Yes, so I turned it in. Little did I know, Roberts had asked a girl at the company to run edits on it. She offered up the information about Silas being cheated on, and they stuck it in the article without my consent.” I take a deep breath.
“From there, everything has fallen apart. Silas, rightfully, has ended all communication with me. When I found out what Roberts did, I quit on the spot, not wanting to work for a company that would do such a thing to someone. I, uh . . . I headbutted the girl who added the cheating part and left.” JP smirks.
“I lost credit for the internship. Roberts and the head of the journalism department are close, and he told her about it. I was cut from the school for not earning credits for my internship, and I’ve lost my housing scholarship because I’m no longer in the School of Journalism.
Instead of graduating this coming summer, I have to start over.
” I take another deep breath. “That’s why I’m here, because I’ve not only researched Cane Enterprises and everything it represents, but I’ve also researched The Jock Report, and after going through the hell I’ve been through the past week, I know, deep in my soul, I want nothing more than to help lift the voices of those who deserve it.
I know you’re not in charge of making decisions for The Jock Report, but I am hoping this conversation might be a foot in the door. ”
I end there and wet my lips, so freaking nervous as he sits there and studies me.
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
“It’s a great question, and frankly, I don’t have any way of proving to you that Roberts made the switch other than forwarding you the email I sent Roberts with the original article.
” I pause and take a deep breath. “This summer, I fell in love with the most incredible man I’ve ever met.
I had no idea men like him—noble, honest, funny, selfless, and respectful—existed.
I’m absolutely gutted that this happened to him.
I’m trustworthy, I’m a hard worker, and if that means putting me on probation or—”
“What’s Roberts’s number?”
“Huh?” I ask.
JP pulls out his phone. “Give me Roberts’s number. I’m going to call him.”
“Oh, uh . . . okay. But, he, uh, he won’t say nice things about me.”
“I’m not looking for nice things. I’m looking for the truth.” I hand him my phone with Roberts’s number on display, and as he dials, he asks, “What’s the name of the person who edited your article?”
“Candace,” I say as my palms start to sweat.
JP nods and then puts the phone on speaker. It rings a few times and then, “This is Roberts.”
“Alan Roberts?” JP asks.
“Yes, who is this?”
“Sorry for the cold call, this is JP Cane from Cane Enterprises.”
Roberts’s voice loosens up as he says, “Oh, JP, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
Just hearing his gruff voice makes me want to stick my hand through the phone and pull his mustache off.
“I was approached by a former employee of yours, looking for a job. An Ollie Owens?”
“Really?” Roberts says. “That’s bold of her.”
No, it’s not, you moron. What am I going to do, just sit in a corner and not work at all?
“Yes, well, she told me this story about how she wrote an article, but you changed it in the editing process. It was a real woe is me sob story.” JP keeps his eyes down while he speaks to Roberts, not allowing me to see his facial expressions.
“I’m not interested in her, but I am interested in hearing about the girl, Candace, who changed the article.
She clearly knows how to grab readers’ attention. ”
“Ah, so she told you about Candace adding that piece?” Bingo! Thank you, Roberts. “Candace is the kind of employee anyone would be lucky to have. She takes action, but unfortunately, she’ll be offered a job here at the end of the school year. Can’t let you poach her from me.”
JP chuckles. “Dammit, I thought you were going to say that. Well, keep me in mind if someone like Candace comes up. I’m looking for someone who could help grow the business.”
“Of course.”
They exchange a few more pleasantries, and then JP hangs up. He fiddles on his phone, then leans back in his chair.
When his eyes connect with mine, he says, “You were fucked over.”
It must be the validation of what happened because I can’t stop myself as I start to cry and nod.
“I was. And I lost everything, even Silas. And granted, part of it was my fault. I . . . I let it slip to my friend Ross what happened to Silas, and Candace was apparently eavesdropping. That’s how she knew.
” I shake my head. “That little slip-up made me lose the best thing that ever happened to me . . . Silas.”
JP studies me for a few more beats. “How are your editing skills?”
“I took multiple classes, and I was actually certified this summer.”
He nods and then places his hands on the armrests and lifts from his chair. Confused, I do the same. “Well, I can’t promise anything, but I’ll put in a word for you with The Jock Report.”
“Oh, thank you. That means a lot.”
He nods. “I’m sorry you lost Silas. I know what it feels like to love and to lose. The worst pain a person can experience.” He grabs a pad of paper from his desk. “Write down your contact info here, and I’ll be in touch.”
“Thank you,” I say as I take the pen from him and write down my name, number, and email address. I’m almost tempted to toss in Ross’s number too in case he can’t get ahold of me, but I think better of it.
“I’ll walk you out,” JP says, guiding me toward the elevator.
“Thank you,” I say again. And for the first time since I read the article, I feel a sliver of hope that maybe something will go right for me.
I’ve lost Silas for good, I know that. And even though I thought living in Canada was my future, it might be LA where I end up.
That’s better than going home and seeing the disappointment in my father’s eyes.
* * *
“It’s been a week,” I say as I sit on Ross’s bed while he streams the game. “I was sure I’d hear something from him by the end of last week. But nothing.”
“He helps run a billion-dollar enter—get the puck!” he yells.
“Yes, go, fucking go.” My eyes fall to the computer on Ross’s lap, and I catch sight of Silas screaming across the ice, his hockey stick out in front of him, sprinting toward the puck.
He collides into the boards, but somehow kicks the puck with his skate toward Rivers.
Rivers brings it around the goalie’s net and passes it to Holmes, and within a blink of an eye, Holmes shoots the puck in the goal, scoring.
“Yesssss!” Ross screams while pumping his fist.
I sink down into his bed, unable to watch.
Especially a celebration. It’s too painful to see Silas’s handsome face.
It’s been a few weeks since we’ve talked, and all I can wonder about is if he’s moved on.
If he’s been with someone else. If he’s .
. . if he’s gone back to Sarah. The thought makes me so ripe with nausea that I have to take deep breaths.
“Sorry,” Ross says. “I was saying that he has a big company to run, it’s probably going to take him a second. I’m sure you’re not the first thing on his list.”
“Probably not,” I say as I curl into his pillow. “How does he look?”
“Silas?” Ross asks.
“Yeah.”
“You really want to know?”
No.
But I can’t help myself.
“Yes, I do.”
“He looks good,” Ross says. “Thicker scruff, but he looks good, clear eyes.”
I swallow down my emotions. “Good,” I answer just as my phone rings. I sit up and stare at the Los Angeles number. “Oh my God, Ross. I think it’s JP.”
“Really?” he asks as he turns down the volume on his computer. “Answer it.”
I push my hair behind my shoulders, straighten up, and then lift the phone to my ear while accepting the call. “Hello?” I ask.
“Ollie, this is JP Cane.”
“Oh, hi, JP,” I say, my nerves just about to fray every last inch of me. “How are you?”
“Good,” he answers. “I had a moment to speak with Ryot, Banner, and Penn, and they all agreed with the popularity of the app, they need to take on another editor. I gave them your name and qualifications, and they’re ready to make an offer.” Tears well up in my eyes.
“Oh my gosh, that’s . . . that’s amazing,” I say.
“I can send you all the details in a moment as well as connect you with the guys so you can introduce yourself.”
“Wow, that would be fantastic. Thank you so much.”
“Of course. And hey, I hope that broken heart heals soon.”
A tear floats down my cheek. “Me too. Thank you, JP.”
“Don’t let me down.”
“I won’t. I promise. Thank you.”
I hang up and drop my phone to my lap as I press my hands to my eyes and cry.
Ross scoops me up into a hug. “You got it, didn’t you?”
I nod against his shoulder. “I did.” When I pull away, I say, “Looks like I’m moving to Los Angeles.”
Ross’s face falls flat, and his grip loosens. “Wait, you’re moving?”
“Yes, the company is in LA.”
“Yeah, but I thought.” He grips his hair. “I thought you’d work remotely.”
I shake my head. “I can’t stay here, Ross. Firstly, I’m no longer a student and my study permit visa will be terminated.” The joy of being an international student. You only have three months to leave after your studies have finished, or by the date on your study permit, whichever comes first.
Although, of course, it’s more than that. “But also, Silas is plastered everywhere, and when it’s not his face, it’s the Agitators logo. Even if I could stay, it’s just too painful. I have to think of it as another opportunity for a fresh start.”
“Well . . . fuck,” he says softly. “I wasn’t expecting that. I mean, yeah, of course. You’re no longer a student, but fuck.”
“I hate that I’m leaving you though, Ross.” I hate that I’m leaving without a degree... and a broken heart. But it’s life.
“Going to miss you, girl.”
“Going to miss you right back.”