Chapter Two
Rosemary
As soon as Louis shut her office door and left, Rosie collapsed back in her seat. Emotions bubbled up and she let them win. For a moment, she cried.
Louis’s words had hit her deep in her heart. She was well aware of the fact that players wanted to leave. That some had left previous teams she had worked for. It was not her problem, not really. It was theirs. Right?
Once her job was done to clean up their images, she had moved on to the next challenge, relying on the business to keep on top of it now that she was gone.
As of yet, she hadn’t found a team she fit in with.
This was her reality, but it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt when it was thrown in her face.
She was human, too. With needs and emotions.
So are the players, like Louis pointed out and you completely ignored. Why should you be respected when you give so little back? Work with them and find a way to fit in!
Rosie sighed. That was not likely. Her job was to fix their public image.
If her plan didn’t work for them, or they didn’t like it, they were welcome to leave.
It was their professional decision, and their future.
It didn’t mean she was heartless. However, the reality was that it was the business owners who paid her, so she tried to stay unemotional.
Unattached. It wasn’t her job to make friends with the players. Her job was to give her boss results.
Louis’s words had attacked her. Seeing how respected he was, it sunk in deeply how unliked she was. But she was good at what she did. Already, members of this team were finding more sponsors and opportunities compared to before.
And you attacked him straight back. The difference was that he complimented you, while you just told him he couldn’t do his job at all. And that he didn’t care about his team.
That hurt she had seen in his eyes had broken her heart. He hadn’t deserved that. Unfortunately, she had been disappointed in herself and had decided to fight back instead of admitting that he was right.
Growing up, she was surrounded by perfection. Her parents demanded it. Which meant she could only accept perfection, or it was defeat.
Composing herself, she took a deep breath and wiped her tears away.
Then made a mental list. Firstly, she had to deal with Spencer who should be outside her office by now.
Just because he was new to this team didn’t mean he would get some slack.
He had been playing professional ice hockey for six years now, so he should know better.
Secondly, she needed to find Louis to apologise.
Thirdly, she needed to convince Louis to compromise with her and plan an approach that worked better.
As players were leaving because of her, and thinking of leaving, it would affect her professional reputation and future jobs.
That could not happen. Louis had called her out on it, and she had to respect that as it gave her a chance to improve.
She just hoped he was willing to help her to fix it.
Blushing, she thought about being in the room alone with Louis. Most of the time, they argued. A few times he had caught her gaze, though. He had shown interest. And that smile of his?
He was handsome. Funny at times. Determined and stubborn. Driven. Protective. He was someone she could respect because he challenged her and was not afraid to speak his mind, even if she did not agree with him.
No! No! No! No thinking about the hunky hockey player! He’s mad at you, and off limits.
Says who?
Me!
Shaking herself, she had to focus. Getting up, she opened the door. Spencer was there eating crisps, as cool as could be. Hank was sat beside him, smiling and positive as always.
Hank was always lovely to talk to. He had this way with people to make them feel like the most important person in the world. It was why he was a fan favourite; he would spend time talking to them without rushing them.
Louis was standing in front of them, talking. When his gaze turned to meet hers, he must have seen her red eyes. Concern crossed his features, and he even took a step forward. Then there was guilt.
He cares.
Shush!
Standing up, Hank gently grasped Louis’s arms before he could approach. Rosie was thankful for that. Not wanting to explore how she was feeling, or why he was concerned right this second, that action gave her much needed space.
“Spencer. Come in, please.”
She was incredibly surprised by the fact that she had said that so levelly considering she was feeling so shaky.
Doing as he was told, Spencer popped up to his feet like nothing was wrong. That black eye told them all differently. Hank was right behind him, ready to be the voice of reason.
For now, she just wanted to speak to Spencer and find out the why to his actions. Once she knew, she could create a plan and share it with him, Louis, and Spencer’s agent.
Raising an eyebrow, she watched them take a seat. Returning her gaze to Louis, she glared. Expecting another fight, she prepared herself. No doubt he would follow his two closest friends into her office.
“Going to tell me not to debrief him?” she asked.
Louis’s lip twitched. Was that a smile? “Spencer is a doughnut who should know better,” he responded.
“Hey!” Spencer mumbled from the office; around food Rosie might add.
“He has been doing this long enough,” Louis pointed out. “He deserves to get shouted at.”
Surprised, she closed the door before he could change his mind.
Turning to face her current problem, she rolled her eyes at his smirk. Spencer wasn’t even offended or surprised by Louis’s words.
“Slapped wrist time?” Spencer goaded.
“Spencer, please don’t make it worse,” Hank pleaded. “We need Rosie to help it go away.”
It was all over social media. The man he hit was also incredibly vocal.
Laughing, Spencer shrugged it off. “Nah, it’s good. Let the Harpy shout at me. It might make her feel better.”
She chuckled at her nickname. Hank was horrified and never used it.
For a moment, she just watched Spencer. Loud and mouthy he may be, but she knew the tense shoulders. The wary eyes. It was all for show. This man was hurting and scared.
“I could suggest you don’t play,” she warned.
“Go on, then,” he taunted. There was an eye twitch. She got the feeling this man had been hurt a lot in his life, and all he knew how to do was fight. “One of the team’s best players? I can see that going down so well.”
Narrowing her eyes, she leaned forward. This man was not intimidated by her, but it didn’t mean she had no power here. “All players are replaceable; don’t think you are invincible.”
“Right back at you. You are just as replaceable, too, if you cause problems for the team. In fact, I would say you are more replaceable since we bring the money in. The fans. We inspire future players.” Spencer curled his lip.
He had a point, and Rosie had to hold back a flinch. She had to give him credit for standing up to her. Rosie did bring her own fans and sponsors, but that was behind the scenes. If a player suddenly stopped playing? It would upset a lot of people.
“Spencer . . .” Hank’s smile changed to an expression of concern.
Staring at his friend, Spencer pointed at her.
“No! Louis always looks out for us. We need to look out for him, too.” Before Hank could respond, Spencer turned back to Rosie.
“We heard everything. Don’t ever talk to Louis like that again.
Do you hear me? He has earnt his place, and he is very good at what he does. ”
Hank covered Spencer’s mouth. “What he is trying to say is that Louis is not out for himself. Yes, he has his long-term plan, but don’t we all? He is simply more vocal about his, but he knows his team is his lifeline. His support. His friends. He protects his team.”
“Exactly!” Spencer said. “You are the one trying to prove yourself.”
“Spencer . . .” Hank sighed, trying so hard to remain polite and calm toward his friend.
Letting them rant, Rosie made sure to listen. Having a bad relationship with any player was potentially career destroying as it caused problems and tension. Having issues with the captain? There would be no question who the team were loyal to.
Calmly, she sat down. She crossed her hands and laid them flat on the desk. “You are right, and I intend to apologise to him.”
Spencer’s jaw dropped. “Er . . . cool.”
That made her chuckle since the wind was blown from his sails, leaving him confused.
“See, Rosie is reasonable. You just need to work with her, not against her.” Because Hank would know.
Not once had he caused problems, and he always volunteered to do media work if no one else did. Hank was probably her only friend here.
“Not expecting that?” Rosie asked sweetly.
“Not at all, but it is appreciated.” Huffing out a breath, the anger left Spencer. “Look. I get why I am here. I am aggressive. I don’t want it to look bad on the team, and I promise that fight wasn’t my fault.”
Glad they could get back to work, she asked, “How so?”
“It was Kate’s brother,” Spencer answered with a sigh.
His shoulders slumped in utter defeat and pain. His voice had gone hoarse, like he was holding back tears. Of course he would be hurting. Kate was his wife who had passed away a few years ago after a battle with cancer. Their daughter had been two at the time.
“His name is Reid.”
Rosie felt immense sadness for him. She had heard about the loss of his wife, and it had left him devastated. His daughter was too young to remember her mother. And now her brother was fighting him?
“Why would he fight you?” Rosie had to ask.
The more information she had, the clearer the picture she would get. If he was in the wrong, she would still have to protect him, but it wouldn’t mean she liked him.