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“That will be all, Patti,” Mr. Wilson dismisses my boss.
She ducks out of the room without a word.
Not only did I walk into a tense situation, but I feel like I was tricked into being here.
It’s not lost on me that HR could’ve asked me to complete the termination paperwork electronically, and the Lonestars could have easily mailed my belongings to me like they did for Claudia. The more I think about it, the more certain I am that this is a setup.
But…why?
“Well, Mr. Johnson,” Mr. Wilson begins in a voice that is meant to sound blasé, but in reality, sounds annoyed. “Ms. Jones is here. Now, will you explain to me why you’re breaching your contract by not playing in this afternoon’s game in Houston?”
My eyes fly to Corey. He’s cool as a cucumber as he meets the owner’s probing stare. It feels like we’re in the principal’s office, but I’m the only student who’s afraid of the consequences of our actions.
“I’m here because I heard some disturbing news.”
Mr. Wilson’s eyes dart to me.
“Yes,” Corey confirms the silent question. “I heard Carlee was fired.”
I figured as much the moment I saw him sitting there.
But how did he find out so soon? I was just fired yesterday…
“Ms. Jones broke the team’s no-fraternization policy,” CJ chimes in. He stands behind his father, looking far too smug for my liking. “And rules are rules.”
I watch CJ’s arrogant smirk slip when Corey’s harsh glare slides to him. “I broke the same rule.”
The room is so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.
A throat clears. “The policy applies to non-athlete, Lonestars employees,” is Charles Wilson’s eventual reply. “Players aren’t required to sign it upon joining the team.”
“That seems like an unbalanced policy,” Avery speaks up. Her tone conveys disapproval.
Mr. Wilson doesn’t waver, “That may be, but the policy is in place to protect the integrity of our employees and welfare of our players. As valuable as Ms. Jones has proven herself to be, I cannot go against the policy at will. Doing so would expose the organization to potential litigation from former employees who were let go for violating the policy.”
“Perhaps they should sue,” Avery continues. She seems to have adopted the role of Corey’s legal counsel even though I’m pretty sure she’s not a lawyer. Maybe she’s the only person he could find to back him up with such short notice. “After all, I’m assuming the relationships between those staffers and your players were consensual. Therefore, the players are just as responsible and should bear an equal share of the consequence.”
Mr. Wilson leans back and smooths his tie over his stomach. “That’s not how the policy is written, unfortunately.”
“Exactly. And that’s a problem.”
My eyes dart between them. I’m on the edge of my seat, anxious about where this conversation will go. A glance at Corey reveals he still looks calm, cool, and collected. If anything, he may even look a little amused.
“I own a baseball team, Mrs. Moreno. I can’t afford to release players for their romantic liaisons.”
“Then perhaps you shouldn’t have such an inherently sexist policy in place for your other employees.”
Oh…snap.
I think I might be in love with Avery Moreno. She didn’t even hesitate before lobbing that grenade into the conversation. The woman is a badass.
Mr. Moreno’s lips twist with distaste. “I resent that allegation.”
“Almost as much as your female employees resent your policy, I’m sure,” Avery quips.
The older man sighs. “How about we save time and you all tell me what you want out of this conversation.”
Avery looks to Corey.
