Page 15 of Gross Misconduct

“You’re going to be nice to him.”

“I knew I wasn’t going to like it.”

Tangi playfully punched me in the arm. “I’m serious. I want you to try to be nice because if you want to convince people you’re in love, you better sell it.”

I could see so much hope and excitement on Tangi’s face. “Fine. I’ll try to be nice.”

“Good. Let’s have some fun.”

I caught Clay the next day just as he was preparing to jet away to his home in Hawaii. He planned to be vacationing for the next month. I walked him to the elevator and was happy no one else was around to listen in.

“I’ve had a change of heart,” I said.

“No,” he said, not even glancing my way. “You haven’t.”

Right. He thought I was completely backing out, but I’d decided this could be fun, and I wanted to see if I could pull it off. “I don’t mean about Jeremy. I’ll still do that, but I can’t accept the office, the money, the potential bonus, or the condo.”

He gave me a quick look before pursing his lips. “You want to keep your job security?”

“Yes, even though I was on the fence about that too.”

He sighed dramatically. “You can keep the office, Ms. Bowman. And the hundred-thousand bonus. Please, that’s nothing. And that’s non-negotiable. Why this attack of conscience?”

The elevator door opened, he stepped inside, and by the look on his face, I was expected to join him. Thankfully, it was empty.

“I feel as though I’m a paid escort.”

He shook his head. “No. You are being a team player, and you should be paid for that. Now, if you feel that it’s all inappropriate and you’d rather do it for nothing, that is your choice. However, you can keep the office. And if you want, donate the money, but Ms. Bowman, put those nonsensical feelings aside, and look at your endeavor as a business transaction. You are going to be an actress for the next six months, not a paid escort. I’m not sure you realize this, but negotiating with you was the best bit of fun I’ve had in years. Why not keep the money just because you’re such a great negotiator?”

What would Tangi say? She’d insist I give it back. Wolseley would tell me to keep it because Clay didn’t care about it. At least Clay was giving me time to think about it, and really, was keeping the office so bad? Nah. I was definitely keeping the office. And my damn window.

Chapter Nine

Jeremy

My first day back with the team during training camp went about as well as I expected. Other than Ryan, Ethan, and surprisingly Brandon Warde, no one was talking to me. I thought about letting it pass, but that’s not what a team captain would do—well, a former team captain. So after a long day of training camp, I knew I had to catch the guys before they left, so I whistled as loud as possible to get their attention. And because it was me, they all fell silent, no doubt wondering what I had to say. Some had blank expressions, while others had daggers in their eyes.

“I know you’re all tired, and the last thing you want to hear is any of my bullshit, but I want you to know that I fucked up and I’m sorry. Lex is a great guy, and I’m sorry he felt he needed to go, but I understand. I just hope that one day you can all forgive me and that my massive mistake doesn’t affect the dressing room or what we do on the ice.

“I deserved losing the C, and I deserve anything you want to throw at me. I take responsibility for everything that’s happened. If anyone wants to talk to me, yell at me, tell me I’ma piece of shit, don’t hesitate. So that’s it. Ethan and Brandon are in charge now, so let’s give them our full support.”

There were a few grumblings, but the guys seemed to take it well. At least I hoped they had. Grant and I left the arena together, and he patted me on the back.

“Good speech,” he said.

He didn’t sound all that convincing.

“They still hate me, don’t they?”

Ethan’s face contorted as he tried to find a diplomatic way out of this. “They are pissed, but I’m sure they will come around. Any advice on how to keep team unity?”

I was touched he would ask me. “Since you and Warde are co-captains, I suggest you start with him and make sure you’re on the same page. The last thing you want is the guys to sense any division between the two of you. Then you need to keep the wayward guys in line, and that includes those who like to party. Don’t be afraid to be tough with guys, but don’t humiliate them either. And most of all, treat them the way you’d want to be treated.”

Ethan smiled. “That’s why you were our captain. And you will be again.”

I wasn’t sure I deserved to be captain again. “Yeah, maybe. Anyway, I guess I’ll see you later. The Avenue at eight?”

“You bet. And play nice with Jill.”

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