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“That sounds great. But first, come in. I have great news.”
Her green eyes were bright with excitement. I sat down in a chair in front of her desk, my legs spread out casually.
“I have a friend who’s a retired scout,” she said.
She had eyes on a new goalie. I loved her enthusiasm for the team.
“Oh yeah?” I said.
“And I talked to him about you. He came to the last home game. And he—”
I cut her off. “Hold on. What?”
“He talked to his friend who works with the Indy NHL team, and they have a center who’ll be out for six weeks for surgery. They want you to fill the roster spot.”
My mind was swimming with confusion. “Me? Why would they . . . but first, you did what? You talked to a scouting guy about me without even asking me first?”
Her face fell with disappointment. “Why would I ask you? You’re a great player on my team and I put in a good word for you. I need your permission for that now?”
“The fuck, Sidney?” My voice rose with anger. “I eat your pussy and you repay me by trying to get me a promotion?”
“Are you kidding me?” She glared at me, her cheeks darkening with anger. “One has nothing to do with the other.”
I jumped up from my chair and ran a hand through my hair. “So it’s just a coincidence, then?” I said sarcastically. “The guy whose face you shoved into your cunt also happens to be the guy you want to get a better job for?”
“You’ve gone temporarily insane,” she said sharply, jumping up from her chair and leaning toward me, her hands braced on the desk. “I didn’t even come, as you will recall. And you think you earned my eternal gratitude or something? I think you’re a great center. And you aren’t the liability you used to be. You deserve another shot.”
“I don’t want another shot!” I yelled. For the first time, our eyes locked in mutual anger. “Don’t try to run my goddamned life, Sidney. You hardly even know me.”
“Now I’m running your life? I was trying to help you.”
I moved away from the desk and put my hands on my hips, letting out a deep breath.
“The decision not to go all the way was mine. I’m a Flyer. The only way I’m leaving this team is if I get fired.”
“Any guy on our team would give anything to have your talent!” Sidney left her position behind the desk and rounded on me, her face inches from mine. “Making it to the top is the dream. Most players never do. And you’re disdainful of it? Where do you get off having that attitude?”
I leaned over her. “You don’t fucking know me, Sidney. Money isn’t the driving force for some of us.”
“It’s not just the money. It’s playing at the highest level of the game. You’re such a competitive player, and you don’t want this? What are you so afraid of?”
My anger was about to boil over. I had to get out of here.
“Don’t meddle in my life again,” I said in a measured tone. When I turned to leave, she grabbed my arm.
“Don’t walk away from me, Killian.”
I pulled my arm away and turned back to her, leaning over her in hopes she’d feel my anger.
“Don’t fucking order me around. I’m not one of your minions. I’m leaving right now whether you like it or not.”
I walked out, slamming the door behind me. My chest was tight with tension. I’d made the right decision four years ago. My visceral reaction to Sidney’s news was proof of that.Sidney
I’d been staring at the text I’d written to Killian off and on for the last twenty four hours, never working up the nerve to hit send.
Me: Can you come by my place tonight to talk?
I had been about to send it when I stopped. Damn him. He’d thrown a childish fit and stormed out of my office. He was the one who should be texting me.
Just then Nicole walked into my office, a greeting card in her hand.
“Sympathy card for Lenny Marino. He lost his mother a few days ago.”
I knitted my brows together and waved her over. “I didn’t know that.”
“I’m sorry, I should’ve told you.”
“No, I didn’t mean it like that. Thanks for picking up the card.” I took the pen she held out and scrawled my signature on the card.
“My list is done. What else can I do?” she asked. “The dry cleaning isn’t ready yet.”
Since I’d dressed her down over her outfit, Killian, and her general laziness, Nicole had been a model employee. I was relieved to finally have a decent assistant.
“Sounds like you’re done for the day,” I said. “And if you want to go home this weekend, book a flight on my credit card. I don’t expect you to stay here every weekend.”
