Page 27 of Penalty Shots

I try to get through his thick skull that it doesn't work when in this particular case, hewasthe bully.

I suggest community projects. Maybe even doing something alongside Redmond's team to show that there are no hardfeelings. Where professional sports are concerned—camaraderie always wins.

"Is that what you and Jenny are doing? Letting camaraderie win?" He leans back and shoots me a look.

I don't know Jenny's angle. She hasn't been exactly easy to work with. Her ego likes to take center stage and prove that she's the right person for the job. But I was just like her when I started here, too.

That tends to be the attitude of most women that work in male-dominated industries. We already have the majority against us—we almost have to prove every day that we deserve a seat at the table. As ridiculous as that sounds. It's the reality.

"Jenny and I are grown women. We can be professional. I suggest you take a page from our playbook."

"And cozy up to your ex?"

"No. I didn't say cozy up to him," I glare at him. "I said work together. This whole situation hasn't exactly put him in a nice light either."

"You mean the whole screaming like a trapped animal thing?"

I blink at him.

"Tell me, what did you ever see in him anyway? Besides the whole hot Aussie thing? Or was that it? You a sucker for an accent, Rina?"

I cross my legs and lean back now, too.

"There were a lot of things I liked about Redmond."

"Like that he liked dipping his stick in anything with a skirt?" He smirks.

"He wasn't like that."

"Oh, come on, Rina. Take off the rose-colored glasses. He was always like that."

I sit up and give him a look. "What are you talking about?"

"You seriously don't remember? From college?"

"I didn't really know him back then, but he was kind," I protest.

"He was a player. Guys like him always seem kind. That's their MO. I just thought you'd grow out of being attracted to that."

"You're one to talk," I murmur.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he says, now sitting up too.

"First day I met you. You were kind. Endearing. You're mad at Redmond for being exactly like you."

"Don't ever compare us," he points a finger at me.

"Pot, kettle," I say with a shrug.

"I'm nothing like him," he says menacingly.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, that's so."

"Tell me then, how are you two so different? Because from what I recall you were kind to me while you were dating my roommate. You led me on and then…" my voice trails off.

"And then what?" He waits.

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