Chapter 33
brEAKING: LOCAL WRITER LEVELS UP Unfortunately, so do her complications
Alaia
I drum my fingers on the steering wheel as I stare up at Hideaway Haven Resort. Should I stay or should I go?
I don’t want to run into Tanner. One vote for go.
But I refuse to let a man manipulate or control me. One vote for stay.
And I do want to meet with Knox. He was all mysterious about why he wanted to meet. Maybe he found a magazine willing to publish my article. Another vote for stay. The stays carry it.
I climb out of my car and scan the area for any sign of an asshole football player who totally fooled me into thinking he’s a good guy. No sign of him. Good.
Knock it off, Alaia. Don’t let Tanner see how he destroyed you.
I nod. Damn right I won’t. I’m going into the resort with my head held high. Screw him.
I march into the resort. I bypass the reception desk and make my way to the conference rooms. I find the one I need and straighten my skirt before knocking on the door.
“Come in!”
At Knox’s shout, I inhale a deep breath and enter the room. I stumble to a halt when I realize Knox isn’t alone.
“What’s going on?”
Knox stands and walks to me. He escorts me to a seat before answering.
“This is Rose. She’s the Director of Communications. And Ed, the general manager. Ursula is the Human Resources Director. And I’m sure you know Daymond, the owner of the Steel City Seals.”
My palms begin to sweat. Holy smugglers. These are the bigwigs of the Seals.
I force myself to smile. “It’s lovely to meet all of you. But I’m a bit confused as to why I’m here. I thought you wanted to discuss the article I wrote, Knox.”
“We do,” Rose says. “But not the article on Knox. The one in the Smuggler’s Gazette.”
My article on loyalty in the sports world saved the Gazette. So many people paid to download a copy online that there’s now enough money to keep the Gazette going for at least another year. But I have no idea why the management of the Seals wants to discuss it unless…
“I’m sorry. I did my best to keep the Seals out of the article.”
Rose waves away my apology. “You didn’t harm the team.”
“Quite the contrary,” Daymond adds.
My brow wrinkles. “I’m confused. Why am I here?”
Ursula clears her throat. “This is an interview for the position of Public Relations Manager for the Seals.”
My eyes widen. “Me? PR manager?”
“This is not how things are usually done,” she mutters.
Should I apologize again?
“Ignore her,” Ed says. “She’s annoyed because she didn’t get a chance to screen you first before this interview.”
Daymond leans back in his chair and studies me. I dig my fingernails into my thighs to keep from squirming under his scrutiny. I barely manage. He’s a billionaire owner of an NFL team. Why is he even in this room?
“When someone manages to write an article to diffuse a potentially disastrous situation for one of the team, we can skip the HR formalities.”
Ursula scowls but everyone ignores her.
“I didn’t diffuse the situation. Someone leaked the video – I’m assuming it was Sam the asshole agent – and it’s all over social media.”
“But the discussion isn’t about what Tanner did. And how he should be kicked off the team for not being discreet. The discussion is about who leaked the video. Whether leaking the video was ethical. And ethics in the NFL. Your article did that.”
It is? I did? I haven’t read any of the comments on the article. In fact, I’ve staunchly avoided all social media for the past week. The last thing I need is to watch the man I love – correction, thought I loved – with another woman.
“I didn’t realize.”
“I’m sold.” Daymond stands. “Hire her. Make it happen.”
“But we haven’t discussed salary or employment conditions,” Ursula argues. “She might not want to leave the island and move to Steel City.”
My heart batters in my chest. A week ago, I would have jumped at the chance to move to Steel City. But now? Now I don’t know if I can handle seeing Tanner on a regular basis. Being an up close witness as he goes through woman after woman.
My stomach sours. Maybe I should stay in Smuggler’s Hideaway. After all, I can now keep writing for the Gazette for at least another year.
Screw the pirate. No way. I’m not making a decision based on a man. I am an independent woman. I make my own choices.
But I am a journalist. The only experience I have with PR is Belinda.
“I’m a journalist. I don’t have experience with public relations.”
Ed snorts. “You spent the summer faking a relationship with Tanner Long. You have experience.”
Faking? I wasn’t faking anything. But I’m not about to announce how I fell in love with the most unavailable player on the team to the senior team management. They’ll never offer me the job then.
Daymond stops at the door and glances over his shoulder at me.
“Don’t underestimate yourself. I had you looked into.
You say you’re a bartender, but the owner of Bootlegger said you’re in charge of marketing.
She also said you’re an expert at diffusing situations.
And everyone in this room knows you can write. Welcome to the team.”
I have to bite my tongue to stop my jaw from dropping to the floor. The billionaire owner thinks I can write. I barely stop myself from squealing with excitement. He shuts the door behind him and I force myself to face the remaining members of the senior management team.
I expect them to appear annoyed or back away from his statement. But, except for Ursula, who’s obviously annoyed, they smile at me.
Ed leans forward. “What are your demands?”
“My demands?” I squeak.
“Salary, vacation days, bring your pet donkey to work. Your demands.”
“I don’t have a pet donkey.” Although now I kind of want one. They can be quite cuddly. I could use a faithful companion to cuddle. The mermaid knows men aren’t to be trusted.
Ursula slides a package across the table. “Here’s the initial offer.”
“It’s negotiable,” Rose adds.
I open the folder and my eyes nearly bug out of my head at the suggested salary figure. It would take me five years of working Mermaid Karaoke every night to earn this amount. Five years of glitter getting in places it shouldn’t. Five years of listening to women who are pitch deaf.
Maybe I can do this. I can study up on PR. There must be online classes I can follow.
“New employees who move to Steel City are also provided with accommodation for the first six months of the contract,” Ed adds.
I’m tempted. Seriously tempted. But there’s one problem. One six-foot-three-and-a-half-inches problem.
I close the folder. “Would I have to travel with the team?”
Knox clears his throat. “Yes, you would have to travel with the team. You and the members of your staff are part of the essential staff. You’ll be expected to travel on our charter plane and stay in the team hotel.”
“You’ll manage locker room access and media interviews during the trip,” Ursula continues. “Coordinate postgame podium interviews for the coaches and players.”
“And you’ll collaborate with my content teams,” Rose adds, “to document the trip and manage media requirements.”
I blow out a breath. “I’ll spend time with the team?”
“Yes.” Knox nods. “But if any of the team gives you a hard time, you come to me.”
I lift an eyebrow. “And if you aren’t there?”
I know he won’t be there. Everyone on the island knows he accepted another job. He’s leaving the Seals.
Maybe if Knox was around, I wouldn’t have to worry about running into Tanner. Tanner, who’s goofball and playboy lifestyle means he’s often in trouble and in need of the PR team. Tanner, who’s an excellent player and is usually interviewed after each game.
There’s way too much Tanner in my future if I accept this position.
Ed grunts. “If any player on the team makes you feel uncomfortable in any way, I will deal with it.”
Considering the thunderous look on his face, I’m kind of afraid of how he’d deal with it. But I do appreciate the reassurance.
Maybe I can do this. Maybe I can work for the team.
This is an opportunity of a lifetime. The salary, the challenge of a new position, and the chance to leave the island.
“What about my writing? Can I still write articles on the side?”
“You can write articles as long as they don’t violate your NDA.” Ursula nods to the package. “There’s a sample NDA for you to review.”
Knox grins. “You’re out of arguments.”
I glare at him. “Do you not understand women? We can always find a reason to argue.”
He holds up his hands with a chuckle. “I should know better.”
Rose taps her fingers on the table. “Don’t you dare let a man steal this opportunity away from you. This kind of opportunity doesn’t come around every day.”
“They sure don’t,” Ursula mutters.
They’re right. I’ve spent too many years of my life thinking the men who love me don’t believe I can stand on my own. Time to prove them wrong.
“Okay. Let me review the package and get back to you. When do you want an answer?”
I need to buy myself some time, and reviewing employment conditions is completely normal, isn’t it? They’re the ones who said the conditions are negotiable.
“We need an answer by the end of the week.”
I nod to Ursula. “I’ll be in touch before then.”
I shake everyone’s hand and thank them for the interview before hurrying out of the room and out of the resort.
I collapse in the driver’s seat of my car. Stealing pirates on the sea! What am I going to do?
I was looking forward to the Seals and their entourage leaving the island. I have no desire to run into Tanner.
But how can I refuse this job? It’s the perfect opportunity.
But how can I run into the man I love every day and pretend my heart isn’t breaking?
I shake my head. This isn’t me. I don’t want a man to manipulate my life. I don’t want a man to manipulate things for my ‘own good’.
And I’ll be damned if I let a man who broke my heart because he’s a complete asshole control my future.
I pick up my phone and dial Knox. “I accept the job.”