Page 53 of Penalty Shots

That's the problem with an addiction like Rina. You don't realize how much of an addict you are until you finally give in to the temptation. That's when you realize just how truly fucked you are.

And as Rina leans forward and screams her release into the padded headboard above me… I know that's what I am. Well and truly,Fucked.

Chapter 15

Rina

Monday mornings at Space City Arena are never the same. Some days are slow and mundane. Others can be chaotic and full of back-to-back meetings.

Today, after dropping off Stella with Ryker's mom for the day, I came into my office to find it oddly quiet. Too quiet.

The boys had a morning skate, and they'll leave to go nap and eat before the home game tonight. But other than the typical press conferences, the only thing on my agenda is a certain brown-haired, brown-eyed fiend of a team captain. He should be coming in any minute so we can get to work on the campaign he signed off on.

I glance over at the empty new desk on the other side of my office. I haven't seen Jenny all morning, even though she's bombarded my email all weekend.

I look over at Toby, whose fingers are flying over his keyboard. The constant clacking is the only noise currently filling the quiet office.

"Hey, Toby?" I ask calmly.

He stops typing and looks up from his laptop. "Yeah, boss?"

"What are you… what are you working on over there?"

"Oh," he pushes his glasses up his nose. "Well, Ms. Cobbs asked me to create a document outlining every single marketing project that we've worked on this year."

I squint in his direction and push away from my desk, rising to join him at his. He watches me move toward him and starts to clear his throat.

"Sh-should I not be sending her that information?"

I look at his screen. He has calendars, workflows, and emails pulled up. He must have over twenty tabs open.

"I already gave her what she needed."

"Yes, well. She said she needs to know the timeline for the season and when things need to get done. She wants to make sure everything is covered."

I scoff. "I ran two departments on my own last year. That was before I was even able to hire you on to help. Of course, she'll be able to accomplish more than I ever did. We've set her up."

"I mean," Toby hesitates.

I look at him. "Spit it out."

"It's not a competition, right? Our goals are all the same."

He's right. Level-headed, even when he's scared, Toby does make sense. We're not in competition. I never was and never wanted to compete with Jenny. Not now, not in college. She just came from a world where that's what was expected of her.

"You… are absolutely right, Toby."

He looks at me like I just grew an extra eye. "I am?"

"Yes, you are. This office is not a place of competition. It's a place of collaboration. We all have the same goal. You're right."

He's still watching me like I might suddenly change my mind, call him an idiot, and tell him to get back to work.

But when I don't, he tilts his head. "You're…" he clears his throat. "You're in a really great mood."

I straighten and cross my arms over my chest. Is it that obvious? All it took was a few screaming orgasms and some babysnuggles over the weekend, and I do feel like a new woman. Not that I'll ever admit that to my assistant.

There's a light knock on the door, and I hurry to fix my hair and straighten my jacket top. Toby watches me from his desk with a gentle grin.

---