Page 112 of Mine

Valencia

“Valencia, you've put me in a really tough position,” my boss said, leaning back in his chair. “I called you in to go over a few things and you tell me you’re dating not one, but two hockey players from our team. You were wrongly accused of being a porn star and you got arrested for assaulting a man.”

On the drive here, I figured it would be better if I came clean and told my boss everything. It would be better to get fired now before they read the gossip magazines.

“Greg, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect?—”

I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know I would fall in love with them.

“How long?” He leaned forward.

“Since November,” I said, my cheeks, heating.

“Jesus Christ, is that the reason they have been playing so well?” He stood up abruptly, running his hand over his face.

“Maybe? I mean, I don’t know if it was me specifically,” I said, biting my lip.

“And why would someone say you are a porn star?” he asked, rubbing his jaw.

“An old boyfriend came to see me, and I think he saw me with the guys. I’m pretty sure that might be where this was all coming from.” I had to lie about my cam girl side. There was no way in hell I was admitting to that when I knew they couldn’t have proof it was me.

“Dammit, you've put me in a hard position and while I would hate for you to go, I’m going to have to talk with my superiors,” he sighed. “You’re a great SM manager; your dedication and your photography are great assets.”

“I’ll resign before it gets picked up by a bigger publication,” I said, biting my lip as I tried to keep my shit together.

It was the right thing to do.

“Are you sure it’s going to get published?” He paced around the room.

“It’s only a matter of time,” I said. “I’m surprised they haven’t published anything yet and said something about my arrest.”

He shook his head. “Valencia you are full of surprises, and I can’t say I would have ever thought you, of all people, would be in my office telling me this.”

“This was not on my Life bingo card either,” I said, picking at my nails.

“Are you up for working tonight?”

I looked up at him in shock, but a part of me thought maybe it was best if I just quit now.

“I think I should resign,” I said, pursing my lips together so they didn’t tremble. “I think it would be best for everyone.”

“Work tonight. I will think about this. I might have to talk to my boss, but I also want to talk to our PR department,” he said, sitting back down behind his desk. “I would really like for you to stay.”

“Ok… but my offer still stands. I set up google alerts and if anything pops up, I will let you know,” I said, standing up.

“Thank you for telling me, Valencia,” he said with a sad smile. “I will truly be sad to see you go, if that's the case.”

“I will too, I have enjoyed working with this team,” I said, taking a deep breath.

I left the room, and headed to my office. A brand-new camera and lenses sat on my desk along with a paper bag.

They didn’t have the lenses that you needed replaced, so you will have to suffer with a better camera and extra lenses. You also need to eat and take some Tylenol – R&H.

This camera was the one I had been eyeing for months. Ro had seen it when we had flown together. I had gotten a little nerdy and gone into a deep dive, but he was so sweet asking questions like he cared.

Then Hunter sent me a few cameras, asking which one it was and said he would keep an alert on when it was back in stock. My eyes teared up as I sat down, conflicted on what I wanted to do. If I left, we wouldn’t have to hide, but if I stayed, then I didn’t know what would happen.

Leaving would be easy but I worked so hard to have this job. I loved what I did and as much as I loved them…

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