Page 22 of Gross Misconduct

“I told you.”

We finished up our drinks and chatted about the game. I insisted on paying the bill, and as we walked outside, I insisted on making sure she got home safely. It was after midnight on aFriday night, and no way was she braving the crowds. I got us an Uber that dropped her off first.

“Thanks for the nice evening,” she said as I walked her to the door of her building.

“We’re going to have many of them. Isn’t the next step to be seen out together?”

“It is. Maybe we should get someone to take a video of us and plaster it online.”

I groaned. “Don’t remind me.”

Her face lit up. “You know, maybe I was only half joking. That could work. A fun little video of us doing something. I’m going to mull that over.”

“You do that,” I said, and kissed her on the cheek.

We both froze. What the hell had I just done? Good thing I hadn’t gone in for the lips I wouldn’t mind kissing.

“Okay, goodnight,” she said, scurrying off.

I watched her go and shook my head. She was a mystery to me, but one I was interested in solving.

Chapter Twelve

Jill

Being subtle wasn’t working, but it had established a timeline for my relationship with Jeremy. Now I needed to get the word out. As I sat at my desk, staring out my window, I thought of Oliver. From what I’d gathered, he had a huge circle of friends that included many hockey fans. If I could find a way to use him to post some pictures …

So far, I’d determined that my staff could be trusted. Whitney had kept the secret safe, so now was the time to bring them in, but not before letting Jeremy know my plan. I pulled out my phone to text him.

It’s time to up our game. I’m going to let my staff know. You okay with that?

While I waited for his reply, I formulated an email requesting a meeting with my team. I wasn’t going to send it until Jeremy gave me the go-ahead. In the meantime, I needed to come up with some ideas for us to go out socially. Hanging out with the wives and girlfriends was one idea, but like Jeremyhad so astutely noticed, I hated it. Maybe I could orchestrate some pictures with Ethan and Tangi. The four of us having fun. That would probably work.

My phone chimed.

Go for it.

I waited a second and hit send on my email. I knew everyone was in the building, and an hour later we were all meeting in my office. I shut the door as they all crowded around. My office wasn’t big, but it could accommodate my desk and three additional chairs. As I took a seat behind my desk after closing the door, three faces stared at me intently.

“I have some personal news, and I want you all to be the first to know. I’m dating Jeremy Vaughn.” I realized as I said it that I sounded like I’d just made a deal for a sponsor rather than announcing a boyfriend, but I pressed on. “Normally, I wouldn’t go on about my personal life, but I feel this is important because he is a member of the Kodiaks. Just so we’re clear, Clay has given the relationship his blessing.”

By the look on Zane’s face, he wasn’t buying it. While Whitney and Oliver both smiled and congratulated me, his expression didn’t change. In fact, he was eyeing me suspiciously. I needed to go into damage control and convince him otherwise. If I couldn’t fool my staff into thinking Jeremy and I were an item, how could I convince anyone else? But I had to be careful. If I tried too hard, I could risk losing the others. I had to keep it cool and natural.

“I wanted you all to know first. I certainly didn’t expect it to happen, but I got to know him through my best friend Tangi. She’s Ethan Grant’s fiancée, and Ethan is Jeremy’s best friend. It’s early days, and nothing may come of it, but in case it starts to get out, I wanted there to be no surprises.”

Oliver nodded. “Funny you mention that. I have a friend who works in the team lounge, and she mentioned that you left with Vaughn, Grant, and his fiancée. Makes sense now.”

What luck!“Yes. Like I said, early days.”

Zane seemed less suspicious now thanks to Oliver’s revelation, and finally had something to say. “As long as Clay is good with it, no one else should have a problem. I do worry about Vaughn’s reputation. Is this really a good thing?”

“Who knows where it will lead, so I haven’t thought that far ahead. I know he made a huge mistake, but that shouldn’t define him for the rest of his life, right?”

Zane’s face contorted in confusion. Shit. I was selling this too hard and not being myself. They’d known me long enough that I didn’t see bright sides. Okay, time to dial it back again.

“Of course he used terrible judgment, and he should have probably got his ass traded out of town, but he’s a decent guy. So far, anyway.”Yes, better. Zane was back to buying it.

“My only advice is not to get embroiled in his mess. You don’t deserve that.”

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