Page 29 of Pucking Obsessed

“You’re too kind.” I adjust my cuff links.

“He’s also a bad influence on the other players.” Colton’s voice raises in volume. “He encourages them to whine, rather than push past their limits. He backtalks, unable to take orders. He has no tolerance for true pain.”

If only he knew how much true pain I’ve suffered in my life.

Heine laughs, before hurriedly pretending that he’s coughing.

“Is that so?” Heine’s dancing gaze meets mine. “I think that we need a private meeting.”

My blood freezes.

So, this was Heine’s plan all along.

“No,” I burst out, involuntarily.

Robyn’s eyes are lit with concern. She takes a step back closer to me.

Shay’s expression hardens. He studies Heine more closely.

Heine slips his boots off the table, in order to lean his hands on it. “How about a friendly drink, instead?”

“No,” I whisper.

I become ashen.

A dark room. Throbbing music. Crimson horns and white feathers…

My breathing becomes rapid and shallow. I push my nails hard into my palms to anchor myself.

Yet I feel myself slipping.

“Informally, off the record,” Heine offers again. “We could make all of this go away without…”

He gestures at Lee’s phone, which is still recording.

“I said no,” I yell.

I’m breathing too hard.

I feel like everyone in the room must be able to hear my heartbeat that’s roaring in my ears.

Why is everyone staring at me like that?

“So emotional,” Colton sneers. “Just like a woman.”

Heine gives a sly smile. “I’m only trying to help you.”

“Didn’t you hear him?” Robyn puts her hands on her hips. She looks like a fierce Amazonian. “He saidno. He shouldn’t have to say it more than once. In fact, it shouldn’t have got to the point of him needing to say it at all.”

“Yeah, fuck off with your private meetings,” Shay adds.

A heavy silence settles over the room.

Shay has just told our boss and billionaire owner tofuck off.

He appears to realize it at the same time as I do.

Shay never backtalks Colton or coach, no matter how much they bust his balls. For my sake, however, he’s prepared to stand up to Heine in front of the entire board.

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