Page 70 of Gross Misconduct

“Again, I have no idea. Did you try calling your bank? Or was your first instinct to come over here and blame me?”

Sure, there was some snark in my voice, but she’d come in here with a head full of steam after weeks of no contact, and started shooting accusations my way. I had a right to be a bit pissed.

She let out an exasperated sigh. “I assumed it was you, trying to get in my good graces.”

“Then it’s a good thing I didn’t do it. But since you’re here and came all this way, why don’t you stay a bit? Can we at least hang out and talk?”

I’d tried to mute the hope in my voice, but I was sure I looked a little desperate. I could see her mulling the idea over, and when she dropped her shoulders, I knew I had a chance. “Fine. We probably should talk.”

I had no idea if that was good or bad, but I was going to take my chances. I hung up her coat, and she looked around my condo. She’d never been here before, and probably wasn’t impressed with my minimalist style. I didn’t really care for things, and had the essentials only. Then she zeroed in on the ice bag.

“Are you injured?”

“Just an old shoulder injury acting up. It’s nothing. Can I get you anything? Did you eat?”

“Yes. Before I came over.”

“How about a beer? I don’t have any white wine.”

“I’d love one.”

I got the beers, and she and Chloe sat on my plush gray sofa, but Jill didn’t look comfortable, like she wanted to bolt at any second. I’d waited so long to talk to her, and the last thing I wanted to do was blow this. I handed her the beer and sat on my gaming chair. I could see she’d taken in my TV setup.

“I had no idea you were this much of a gamer.”

“I find it relaxing.”

She sipped her beer, and I hated how uncomfortable we both were. I couldn’t let this go on. “I’ve missed you, Jill,” I said.

She looked at me, her face expressionless. “The fact you didn’t tell me about Orla makes me so angry. Why couldn’t you trust me?”

“It wasn’t about trust. At first, I thought the whole thing would go away, and no one would ever need to know. Then Lex got himself into trouble, and shit started happening. I should have told you all from the start, but I think I was worried that you’d all lose respect for me for screwing around with a teammate’s wife. I should have never done it, and I have so many regrets. I’ll do what I have to in order to make it right.”

She set down her beer and frowned. “I thought we had a connection, and I told you so many things I’ve told no one else, and you still didn’t tell me about Orla. Do you know how much extra work and stress this has caused?”

“I know. And I’ll do anything it takes to make it up to you. These last few weeks without you have sucked. No, worse than that. I miss you. I miss everything about you.” I closed my eyes, trying to come up with the right words. “You mean a lot to me, and the way I feel about you is so different from anything I’ve felt before. I want us to make it.”

She bit her lip, and I knew I was getting through, but when her gaze settled on me, I still saw the hurt and anger.

“I need to think about this, okay? I’m not ready to deal with us. I’ve had so much to deal with already.”

I wanted to ask about her dad, but if she’d wanted to tell me about him, she would have. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m much better. So about next week,” she said, changing gears, “we will schedule the press conference first thing in the morning. You will make your statement and not take questions, even if reporters ask you. I’ll be there, and I’ll make sure I’m seen. Taylor will be there too. I’ll take a few questions and we have a release that will be going out to the media. Do you have any questions?”

The all-business Jill was back. “No questions.”

She got up, and Chloe followed her. Jill stopped.

“Do you want Chloe to stay here for a few days? I don’t mind.”

Was that her way of extending an olive branch? If so, I was going to take it. “Yeah, that would be nice.”

“She was happy to see you.”

“I can bring her back to your place whenever you want. And if you’re leaving, I can drive you home.”

“I’m going to call an Uber.” I thought she was going to say more, but instead, she pulled out her phone and ordered her ride. I insisted on walking her downstairs while she waited, and when her car pulled up, I grasped onto her hand.

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