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“Uh, not really important. The real me watches90 Day Fiancéunder a blanket with a box of Mallomars.”
“I love that show,” Sara said. “Maybe my high school teacher wouldn’t agree, but it’s way more entertaining than Thoreau.”
“A hundred percent. But mostly because Thoreau was a fraud, like me. His mommy brought him sandwiches at Walden Pond and did his laundry. At least reality television doesn’t take itself so seriously.”
“So you’re really in a bind, aren’t you? You’ve made the pitch, but what happens when he finds out?”
I sagged a little against the chair. She was right. Without Patrick and Heidi here boosting me up, the whole thing was seeming more and more impossible. “Yeah. I guess I am. But I had to give it a shot. All I’ve ever wanted was a creative director position. If I could just get a foot in the door, maybe I could help change the industry. I could try to pave the way for women in the field who are struggling the same way I am. I think women should support women.” I blushed a little. “I’ll get off my soapbox now.”
I felt my phone vibrate in my bag. I reached in to see the screen and winced. Several missed texts and an actual call from Melvin.
Sara leaned over my shoulder. “Those from the boss?” she asked.
“Yep,” I said. “We’ve never actually talked on the phone.”
“Is he coming here?”
I opened the messages from Melvin.Indiana—I flew in today and heard you were at the Family Sports Center. I need to speak with you immediately. I’ve been in the arena watching you play goalie.
Shit.He was here. Now. How had he known? In my panic, I took a second to feel sorry for the poor guy who was down on the ice wearing a hockey mask while Melvin ogled him from the stands and blew up my phone.
Sara leaned over my shoulder. “That reminds me. I have to ask, when we set up this meeting initially, I was told Indiana Aaron was an EBUG for the Avs and had extensive parasailing experience.”
I groaned. “Why?” I muttered to myself under my breath before turning back to Sara. “Apparently, Iaman emergency goalie because my boss is watching me practice right now.”
“But how—”
“Indiana Aaron has become sort of a legend. I’m not any of those things, Sara. I’m just a coder. But Melvin’s not lying to you, at least about that. He really believes those things. This persona has a life of its own.”
“Sounds like someone’s created a monster.”
“Believe me, it was a joint effort. This wasn’t just me being a sweaty Frankenstein, feverishly making a guy in a laboratory. It was a gossipy game of telephone in an office.”
She sat back, thoughtful. “I have a little test I like to run on potential collaborators. How about we go down to the arena, and you shoot Melvin a text letting him know I’m there.” I must have blanched because she quickly shook her head. “Trust me.”
“If he recognizes me, he really might kill me,” I said. “Like literally. And I’d be dead. And my poor dad—”
“Relax. If what you’ve been saying is true, he won’t.”
“Oh god, what if he kills that random goalie?”
She grabbed a badge out of one of the drawers next to the table and handed it over. “This is a VIP pass for the executive box. Go up there and hang out for a bit. Feel free to watch the stadium. He won’t see you, but you’ll be able to see him.”
I took the badge and tamped down the fear rush that flooded my body. Then I drafted a message to Melvin.Was practicing with the team. S.J. is waiting for you in the arena.
Sara nodded. “Perfect.”
I hitsendand followed her to the elevator, again trying to keep the mimosa from coming back up. Even though I felt a little bit like a baby bear hiding behind its mama, I was still terrified. I ran scenarios like programs in my head, but every one of them came back bad for me.
The elevator doors opened, and the first thing I saw was the receptionist at her desk. She flashed me a smile that I tried to return.
Sara and I walked down the hall together, past a bunch of training rooms and sports equipment areas before coming to the practice ice. Just before she opened the door, she leaned down quickly. “What’s Melvin look like?”
“Teddy Roosevelt,” I said immediately.
She nodded and gestured for me to take the back stairs to the VIP box before she went into the arena.
I clumped up the back steps in my wedges with my heart in my throat. Luckily, when I got to the box, it was deserted. I sat in one of theseats that gave me a good view of the arena below. What I saw took my breath away.
