Page 134 of If You Need Me

“I couldn’t have done it without Hammer’s help. She’s my right hand.”

“Hammer?” I can see questions in her eyes.

“As in Aurora Hammerstein. The team calls her Hammer. She works with me in PR.”

Alexandria nods slowly. “Right. Okay.”

“She was in the meeting this morning, but you were probably overwhelmed with all the people. She’s out at a promo op with her dad, but she’ll be in tomorrow. I’ll introduce you.”

She looks like she might say something else, but then she smooths her hands over her hips. “I would love that.”

“Some of us are heading to a local pub after work, if you want to join us. I could actually introduce you to Hammer, since she’ll be there and so will Shilpa, plus a handful of the players, if you want to meet them in a more relaxed environment.”

“Thanks so much for thinking of me. Can I take a raincheck? There’s a lot to learn, and I’m just getting my head around things. Plus, I still have some unpacking to do.” She motions to the boxes.

“Absolutely. Maybe next week would be better.”

“That would be great.”

I leave her to it and return to my office. My mood is buoyant and my relief is overwhelming. Topher was toxic to the culture, and while he wasn’t the only person who made things difficult here, he was certainly the loudest and the worst of them. Knowing I don’t have to deal with him anymore is a weight lifted.

Shilpa pokes her head in at ten after five, glancing over her shoulder and lowering her voice. “I hear a celebration is in order.”

“What are we celebrating?” Dallas asks, appearing out of nowhere.

“You’re early.”

“Honey, my sweetness.” He skirts around Shilpa with a quietsorry. “Of course I’m early, I haven’t seen you in six hours. It’s too long. I need a fix.”

“How are you going to deal when you have away games?” I tip my head up to accept a kiss.

“Video call you relentlessly. And I might have already ordered a body pillow in your likeness.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Totally kidding.” He shakes his head. “Anyway, what are we celebrating? Other than you being the badassiest badass.”

“Topher got fired,” Shilpa replies.

“Hallelujah. It’s about damn time. That guy is a super dick. Like the most saggy dick of all dicks. That absolutely is a reason to celebrate."

My phone buzzes on my desk. I have a message from Shilpa. I look up to find her no longer standing in the doorway. “I agree. I can handle a lot of bullshit, but his was next level. Still, I hope there isn’t backlash.”

He takes my hand in his. “This is your team, and the Terror is your family. It’s why you’re still here and he’s not. He was the problem, not you.”

“I know. And I’m not sad he’s gone. I just feel…I don’t know…like I don’t want to give anyone another reason to hate me.” Which I realize is a stupid thing to be worried about, but I’ve spent so much time being the person people talk shit about, it’s hard not to fall right back into the crap.

“Topher was a jerk and he inspired other people to be jerks. He was a bully, and he needed to go. He’s an example that needed to be set a long-ass time ago, and hopefully people will learn how to behave now that he’s gone. And I hope like hell he learns something from it, too. It’s doubtful though since he’s a narrow-minded prick. Now repeat after me: I’m a badass.”

I give him a look.

“Say it.”

“I’m a badass.”

“Like you mean it.”

I bite my lips together.

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