Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“What?” I gaped.
“We bought the rights to the original image. The person who took it can’t sell it elsewhere or say anything further. They signed an NDA as well.”
Tyler stood next to me. He didn’t seem entirely relieved. “What does that mean?”
“Well, we have some time even if the story does eventually drop. Martine messaged me while you were talking to her and said there’d be a lot to research. So, there were two potential scandals we wanted to get ahead of. First, you kissing your team’s shrink, and from the Grays perspective, Mal will state that Rain took the job before knowing you were part of the team. The other scandal is Rain’s estrangement from her family. The Connors brothers are franchise stars and good click bait. Hockey fans love the fact that they’re brothers. Mix in a secret sister caught kissing their longtime rival, that’s a good old fashioned mess.” She shook her head and brightened. “But now we can control the narrative, as long as you two can keep your hands off each other in public.”
I glanced at Tyler, startled to see him staring right at me.
“What?” I asked.
He didn’t respond, turning to Kashvi. “We can still see each other?”
She snorted. “Are you asking for permission? You? Tyler Griffin?”
He didn’t blink. “Not really.”
“Didn’t think so.”
“Wait. What’s the bad news?” I asked.
Both focused on me again.
“You said the good news. That means there’s bad news too.”
Kashvi shrugged. “I guess the bad news is that this story still has the potential to drop, and we may not get a heads-up next time. But we’ve done our part to cover us if that happens. I’ll talk with Martine about the timing of her story, but right now, I wouldn’t worry. Don’t worry until you have something to worry about, you know?” She gave us a wry grin before gesturing to the door. “It’s still early. I’d take off if I were you.”
“I resigned.”
She huffed. “Considering that Mal is backing you up, I also wouldn’t worry about that. But you can stop by his office, if you’d like. They’ll probably have guidelines for both of you.” She waved us off. “Now go. Get out of my hair so I can do my job. You have to fly out today for the game tomorrow.”
Tyler’s hand came to the small of my back and guided me out the door. Once in the hallway, he asked, “Did you want to stop in and talk to the owner?”
“Not particularly. I’m a bit raw right now,” I told him. “I’d rather wait to have that meeting.”
“Coach will probably have something to say.”
“Yeah.” My stomach churned. I wasn’t looking forward to the fallout there. I’d crossed the line. I had a sexual relationship with a player, and any credibility I might’ve had was gone. There was no point in even being here anymore, but I still owed Mal and Coach Hines a meeting. “I need to regroup a little, build up my walls, and then I’ll reach out.”
Tyler’s hand pressed against my back in support, and he pushed open the door for me as we spilled out onto the parking lot. “Until then, I need a nap, coffee, and breakfast,” he said. “Maybe not in that order. You get to choose.”
I doubted I could sleep. “Coffee first.”
Then I’d figure out my next steps.
52
RAIN
My next steps came in the form of a text message I received while Tyler was napping. We were at his hotel room for once.
Mal Benoit: I do not accept your resignation.
Rain: I don’t understand.
Mal Benoit: It’s simple. You are still working for the Grays organization as a consultant. If you insist on resigning, it won’t take effect until after you and I have a meeting to discuss everything. Right now, I’m on a plane to Dubai, so that meeting will have to wait. Continue with your duties as normal. I’ll see you when I get back.
I stared at my phone. It seemed I somehow still had a job. For now.
Later that afternoon, I was writing a report when Coach Hines slipped into the seat beside me at the front of the plane. The team took up the entire back with the other coaches a few seats behind us. We had some privacy.
“I had a visit from Benoit earlier today,” he said. “He told me you and Griffin will be disclosing a personal relationship.”
Well. Shit.
I closed my laptop, putting us both in shadow. “Uh. I resigned for a few minutes there.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You what?”
“But Mal informed me that he doesn’t accept my resignation.”
“You don’t say.”
I forced myself to meet his eyes, my emotions all twisted. “I’m a bit of a mess right now. Coming back to the hockey world has dredged up a lot of not-great memories. I apologize if I’m not being as professional as I should.”