Page 27 of Fall Wherever They May

I flourish my hand to proceed.

“You’re trying to hire a GM. No one is going to want to work for an owner that has a crumbling reputation and looks as though she is jumping in the sack with one of her hockey players. That kind of reputation reflects on the rest of the team. You’re a beautiful woman in a male-dominant position. The tabloids are going to pick you apart and make you look like the team whore,” she pauses, “Sorry, that was crass, but also the truth. If an owner gives any reason for pause, or the team has a bad reputation, it’s going to be a challenging time finding a GM replacement. Well, a good one anyway . . .” She trails off.

“Fuck! All I was doing was consoling her when she was upset. Why do they have to make things into something they’re not?” He spins a pen with a contemplative expression.

I direct my attention back to Teagan. “I’m not a liar, and I’m not going to put Tucker in a situation where he thinks Cal is my boyfriend only to get his heart broken when we have to fake a breakup. Tucker adores Cal and I don’t want ideas to get stuck in his head. I don’t give two shit’s what those leeches have to say. I’m going to continue to live my life unashamedly, but I understand your point about the impact it will make with hiring a new GM.”

“She right. I wasn’t thinking of it like that. So, give her something else to work with,” Cal agrees.

Teagan taps her chin with a red manicured nail. “We can put out a crisis release. We’ll let the media know you underwent a traumatic experience with the paparazzi, and with Cal being your neighbor, he came to check on you. We can give them the truth without disclosing the details of your life. I don’t know if people will believe it, but I guess it’s worth a shot. But if this doesn’t work . . .” She trails off.

“That option I can deal with. I’ll take my chances.”

Cal stands, making his way to the door. “Okay, well since I’m here, I’m going to find Tucker and get some ice time with him.”

“He and Elija were down on the ice earlier. If they aren’t in the game room, you will probably find them down there,” I say to him.

I look to Hannah, who has been silently watching us the whole time. I forgot she was even here.

“Are you ready to help me find our new GM?”

“Let’s do this!” She says.

“Before you two leave,” Teagan addresses me. “You’ve been here a month, and we can’t hold off any longer. I’ve set you up with a live interview with T.T.S.N.The Total Sports Network, for Wednesday of next week at six p.m., so you’ll need to find arrangements for Tucker. They may ask you questions about your relationship with Mr. Miles after all of this, but I’m going to tell them you will have no comment on that particular subject. I’ll prepare you in the meantime.”

As if things weren’t bad enough, let’s just douse the flame in kerosene. I don’t want to face the media, but I guess I have no choice in the matter. “Okay. Thank you, Teagan.”

Hannah and I head back to my office. We go through the candidates, eliminating one more from my list. The afternoon goes by rather quickly. As soon as we conclude our business, andshe walks out the door, Cal strolls into my office with Tucker hot on his heels.

“Mom!” Tucker says excitedly and runs around Cal to stand beside me. “You will never guess what Cal did!”

I look at Cal curiously as they both stand beside my desk.

“What, Buddy?”

Tucker pulls skates from behind his back. “Hockey skates! I’m so pumped!” He shows me his brand-new skates, and I look between him and Cal.

This man. He keeps showing up and doing things that surprise me. “Thank you. You really didn’t have to do that. I was going to get to it this week.”

“Can I join the little league team?” Tucker fires off rapidly.

“Uh . . .” I look between the two again.

The question isn’t unexpected, but the dynamics of how I’m going to get him to practice and games while working and traveling isn’t something I’ve worked out yet.

“I spoke to Ivan and Evie already. Evie said she can help. If your sister can help too, do you think it’s doable with your schedule?” Cal interjects.

I mull it over for a few minutes, trying to mentally scan through my schedule of events, games, and meetings. “I’ll tell you what, Tucker, let me shoot a text to Evie and River, I’ll get more details, and if Aunt River agrees to help, then I’ll say yes.”

With Cal and Tucker standing beside my desk, I unlock my phone and enter the group chat. A booming laugh escapes from Cal’s mouth.

“What are you laughing at?”

Frowning, I look down at my blouse to make sure I don’t have anything on it.

“Did . . . did you . . .” He wheezes a laugh, trying to collect himself. “Oh fuck, this is too good. You really named the group“Chamber of Secrets?” Cal asks. I can barely understand him because he’s laughing so hard.

I deadpan and roll my eyes. “It was a collective…you know what? I don’t have to explain it to you.” I laugh.

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