Page 47 of Gross Misconduct

Double shit. “Do tell.”

“I’m not sure if you’re aware that Orla Donnelly is back in town.”

“I didn’t know,” I said as pleasantly as possible. I certainly didn’t want him to think I knew.

“Yeah, she’s originally from here, so I’m guessing she wants to be with family and friends. Not sure. Anyway, it looks like she’s ready to talk.”

Triple shit!“About what?” I hated playing stupid, but I needed to know everything he knew, and the only way to do that was to ask questions that made me sound like an ignorant clown.

“It sounds like everything. Including her time with Vaughn.”

Quadruple shit would likely have someone in the hospital with intestinal issues, and right now, I was feeling sick. Whitney came in with my coffee, and my expression must have said it all. The time for playing the clown was certainly over. I needed to get down to business, and though I didn’t know Andy well, I knew he wanted to protect the Kodiaks, and by extension, that meant Jeremy.

“What do you know?”

“She’s got a sit-down with a colleague. It’s scheduled for next week. Get this: Orla has a publicity person. We’re going through him. She plans to tell it all, but I don’t know what she plans to say about Vaughn. It sounds like she's preparing an attack on the Kodiaks and is going to blame them for not helping Lex. I think her endgame is a book. I’ve heard rumors about a publishing deal.”

“Can you keep me updated?”

“With anything I can find out. I think she plans a hit piece.”

“Sounds that way. I appreciate the heads-up. I owe you one.”

We said our goodbyes, and I let my head fall to my desk. This was a mess.

“You okay?”

I lifted my head to look at Whitney. “We need an emergency meeting with Dave, Clay, our team, and anyone else we deem important. We are in for a fight.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Jeremy

Jill was gone when I got up. Chloe was waiting for me at my bedroom door when I opened it. Her intense gaze had me wondering if I had snot hanging out my nose, but after a quick wipe, nothing was there. I gave her a pat on the head, then took a much-needed piss. I wandered into the kitchen and found Jill’s note. I still planned to take Chloe out for a pee before practice.

I was just getting back from my walk with Chloe when I saw the text from Jill.

Orla is talking to the media. Call your agent.

Damn it! What was Orla thinking? I was furious as I got ready to go to the rink. Thankfully when I got there, no one seemed to know anything, but Dave and Coach Anthony were in deep discussion in Coach’s office with the door closed. I had a feeling it was all about Orla, and by extension, me. I got ready for practice and glanced over at Ethan. He was listening to music with his earbuds, and I thought to interrupt him, but tosay what? I had to talk to Taylor, so I’d left him a message to call me back right away.

My mind wandered all through practice, which nearly got me into trouble. Larson slammed me into the boards, and if I hadn’t seen him at the last minute, he would have crushed me. He apologized, and I told him it wasn’t his fault because it wasn’t. I should have been paying attention.

After practice, Coach Anthony passed by me and stopped. He didn’t look impressed. “Dave wants to see you when you come back for the game. Be here a half hour early.”

“Sure thing,” I said. I knew what this was about.

I checked my phone, and nothing from Taylor yet. I texted Jill.

Should I come by for a visit?

Her reply was swift.

I think you should.

I showered and changed, knowing that there was no chance for a pregame nap today. I trudged upstairs to her office and realized I hadn’t been to it before. All I knew was that she was close to the boardroom and something about a window. She seemed to love her window and was abundantly proud of it.

I found her office and knocked on the closed door. She opened it and ushered me inside, closing the door behind her. She’d looked refreshed yesterday, but suddenly, lines were under her eyes, and she looked like she hadn’t slept for days. But she did have a nice window view.

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