Page 2 of Gross Misconduct

“I’ve noticed that, but he doesn’t seem to meddle too much. I suppose I’ll find out for sure in the coming weeks and months.”

We finished up dinner, and Ethan offered to clean up and take Maddy while Tangi and I headed for the balcony to enjoythe warm evening and the setting sun. Tangi was only having a few sips of wine, but I had another full glass. We stared out at the ocean in the distance, and I sighed.

“This is gorgeous,” I said.

“You’re welcome any time, and soon enough it will be your place. And knowing you are in the city makes me so happy. It was lonely last year.”

“But good things came of it,” I said.

“You’re right. Ethan finally got his shit together, and we had Maddy. Life is good.”

I sipped more wine and leaned back in my chair. I would have killed for anything remotely similar to Tangi’s life. Other than a few short-term boyfriends here and there and a shitty long-term relationship, I’d never connected with a man like she’d connected with Ethan. I was starting to wonder if it would ever happen; not that I needed a man to define me, but the companionship was nice. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had sex.

“I’m so happy for you.”

Tangi glanced over at me, and when I made eye contact with her, I knew what she was going to ask.

“You okay with your mom? Does she even know you’re here?”

I bristled just as a light and cool breeze came in off the water. I’d been caught out a few times with that breeze, enough that it gave me a chill. “No. I haven’t talked to her in a while. I did send a text. Does that count?”

Tangi didn’t give me a disapproving look, and I appreciated it. She knew all about my strained relationship with my mother. If it hadn’t been for Tangi and her family, I’d have probably spent most of my teenage years alone eating noodles from a packet or springing for mac and cheese when I could. My momwas all kinds of special, and I didn’t want to give her a second thought.

“I’m not going to be preachy, but shouldn’t you at least tell her you’ve moved again?”

“I told her in the text.”

“Don’t you think she wants to know you’re safe?”

I was trying hard to keep my anger in check, and when I glanced over at Tangi, she put up her hands in defeat.

“Yup, I’m backing off. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

And now it was time to change the subject. “You ready for training camp?” I asked.

“I think so. Once the nanny is in place. How about you?”

“I don’t think it involves me much, other than making sure everyone plays nice and doesn’t step out of line.”

“That reminds me. We have a bunch of new furniture coming in the next few days. Jeremy is coming over to help Ethan with it. Why don’t you come too? Think of it as team building.”

I sipped more of my wine. “He’s the team tramp?”

Tangi laughed and shook her head. “He doesn’t like to be tied down. No need to label him.”

I mulled it over for a second. Watching two guys try to put furniture together? That was the kind of entertainment I needed.

“You know what, count me in.”

Chapter Two

Jeremy

“Do you have to leave so soon?”

I glanced over at Orla. Damn, she was hot. Fucking on fire hot, but she was also dangerous. I needed to get my shit together. I shouldn’t be doing this, especially with her.

“I should. Lex could show up at any minute.”

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