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I understood where this was going. When I was first hired full-time to BBN before Jacob was my boss, he'd asked me out every day for three weeks, and I'd declined because I wasn't interested, and I still wasn't to this day.
"Would this have been a problem if we'd announced he was dating someone else? Or just me, Jacob?"
"Don't start, Addison."
"No, really, Jacob. I'm interested in your answer because everyone knows I dish out the latest sports gossip, including their personal lives. Now that I'm doing an exclusive with Maddox, personal lives are off limits?"
"Pack your things and come back to New York, Addison."
"What? No, Jacob. I have to finish this exclusive."
"We'll be sending someone else out to finish."
"Am I being fired?"
"No." He paused, releasing a heavy sigh. "You're being promoted to Sports Anchor." My jaw dropped. This was what I worked so hard for. This was my dream job. "We will send one of our veteran interns down to finish the exclusive with Maddox." I wanted to scream and dance but knew this meant leaving Maddox again.
"What if I want to finish the exclusive with Maddox?"
"Then you're blowing this opportunity that may never come around again. They'll hire someone else." He was right. Sports Anchor jobs rarely come open, and when they did, they were almost always offered to a male anchor. If I passed this offer up, I would never get the chance again.
"When do I have to be back?"
"Monday." It was Thursday, which meant I had the weekend to wrap everything up and spend with Maddox and Maddy. I could fly back with Maddy on Sunday.
"So, what is it, Addison? Are you accepting the job offer?"
I hesitated as I swallowed hard. I couldn't pass up this opportunity. "Yes." I should have talked to Maddox about this first, but he said we would make this work, and right now, making it work meant I was going back to New York earlier than planned. My chest tightened as memories flashed forward of the last time I told him I was leaving for New York. My gaze flicked out the window to Maddox. He was still sitting exactly where I had left him. His gaze locked on me with worry creasing his forehead.
"Do you need us to make the flight arrangements?"
"No, I'll handle it."
"See you Monday morning, Addison." He disconnected.
Déjà vusurfaced like I'd been in this exact place doing this exact thing before. Dread twisted in my gut, knowing I had to go tell Maddox that I was leaving again.
EIGHTY-FOUR
MADDOX
Addison ended her call, and I could see the bad news written all over her face. I didn't want to be the reason Addison got fired, but I couldn't lie if she wanted to quit; it would make things a lot easier for us. Not that I would suggest it because that has to be her decision.
"What happened? Did you get fired?"
With a sad smile, she shook her head as she sucked in a deep breath. "I got a promotion." Her voice is soft and sad. Which was confusing, considering she said she was offered a promotion. "They offered me my dream job as a sports anchor."
"That's amazing." I pushed out of my chair with excitement. "Congratulations!" My eyes narrowed when she didn't seem to share my enthusiasm. That was good news, but she looked like someone just killed her puppy. "So why are you upset?"
"I have to fly back with Maddy on Sunday." Her voice trembled with sadness or fear, maybe both.
"So, you were promoted to anchor but fired from my exclusive."
She nodded. "They are sending someone new to take over."
"Okay." I drew out the word. I had zero intention of doing the exclusive for anyone else. I only did it to begin with because it was Addison who asked, but there was no need to explain that now. We had bigger fish to fry, and I didn't want my decision to affect her decisions or her bosses. I didn't know how he would react if I canceled or if Addison would pay the consequences. There was no written contract between me and the company, only a verbal agreement between Addison and me. I had no obligation to BBN Sports News.
"It doesn't have to be like last time, Maddox."
