Page 32 of Beautiful Storm

“Like hell you will.” I shove my chair back and stand up, anger coursing through me. Am I the poster child for equality? Hell no. I have my faults. But this blatant chauvinistic behavior is messed up. How are there still people that think this way? “I will only be answering to our perfectly qualified director, Amelia,oranyone Amelia wants me to talk to, and I will be advising my teammates to do the same. I know I’m a cocky asshole at times, but you are next level. Have you ever thought that maybe you didn’t get this production because most of my teammates would tell you to fuck right off the second you opened your mouth? Hell, I know at least one that wouldn’t hold back from punching you in the nose if he saw you treating anyone the way you’re behaving now. If you think this is a boys’ club, you are dead wrong.” I finish myrant and turn to Amelia. “I’m going to go. Feel free to reschedule this interview when thatdickhas gone.”

I move to leave, reaching the hallway as Amelia excuses herself to use the bathroom. It’s safe to say shewon’tbe heading left in the direction of the Ladies’ room. No, she’s going to—

“Luke,wait!” she whisper-yells right on cue, following me as I walk toward the locker room. I suck in a breath as I turn, preparing myself for her onslaught. “I didn’t need you to defend me in there. I can take care of myself.”

“I know. You’re a strong, independent woman.”

“Are you mocking me?”

“Not entirely. It’s the truth, isn’t it?” I shrug, giving her nothing. I knew this was coming the second I opened my mouth. But she can be as strong and independent as she wants; I don’t care. I couldn’t let that fucker keep talking.

Amelia opens her mouth to speak but closes it again and shakes her head.

“Am—”

“You don’t know me, remember?” She cuts me off. “Start acting that way.”

“What the fuck? I didn’t do anything in there to suggest we hadanykind of relationship, beyond a professional one.”

“Are you kidding me?” she seethes, glancing down the hall before looking my way again. “Would you have defended a stranger like that?”

“Abso-fucking-lutely. That guy is lucky I didn’t deck him. I willnevertolerate bullying. No matter what form it comes in.” An irrational anger wells inside me, but I smile to push it back down. It’s got nothing to do with Amelia.

Amelia stares at me, almost in shock, and it makes my smile a little more real. Yeah, Amelia…there’s so much you don’t know about me.

It’s a long, slow beat before she releases a sigh and nods. “Okay.”

“Okay?” I question her. “So are we good now? Even?”

“What? No, we’re not good. And it’s not about getting even.”

I start laughing before she’s finished speaking. “Just messing with you. It’s so much fun. Enjoy your day, stranger.”

I walk away, leaving Amelia standing in the halls. And that’s the last I see of her for the next few days with her spending her time in the interview room—thankfully without the douche.

Those of us that have done our time revert back into our normal routines while the others continue to be summoned, but come Friday our world completely shifts when we arrive in the locker rooms after practice to find cameras set up.

So this is what an all-access pass looks like.

The chatter around the room is a mix of excitement and annoyance, and I don’t have to look to know who sits in what camp. But while everyone is focused on what they plan to film, I’m focused on our director. Watching her in her element, as she flits around the room, oozing confidence as she always has, it’s hard to look away. Jerkface should have seen her like this. I almost feel bad that I was her first interview—almost—because then maybe he would have. Of course, Amelia didn’t want to discuss my sex life when she’s a part of that history. She’s a professional. Such a shame that dick misinterpreted it as lack of experience.

As I’m watching her, Amelia bends over to pick something up off the floor, and my gaze shifts to her ass. Today she’s wearing a loose-fitting white tank top and a black skirt that should be considered too short for the workplace. Like she’s taunting me. Trying to make me picture what’s beneath that sliver of material.Making me want her again.

She’s a goddamn smoke show.

It’s not at all the Amelia style I remember, but then again, a lot has changed.

But…while I’m confident enough to admit she surprised me the night we were together, I don’t go back for seconds. And with Amelia, I shouldn’t have gone for a first.

Forcing myself to look away, I find I’m not the only one who’s noticed her and my chest burns. Almost every guy in the room has his eyes in Amelia’s direction and…Fuck this.I’m going over there to—

“Can you believe that’s Amelia?” Thomas steps in front of me, making me jump.

“Jesus. Where did you come from?” I huff, glancing around the room.I swear he wasn’t here a second ago.

Thomas rolls his eyes before laughing. “I’ve been behind you for a good ten minutes. Long enough to catch you staring at her ass. Too bad she’s off-limits, huh? Although…” He looks away, seemingly lost in thought while my gaze finds Amelia again. “Didn’t she marry that singer?”

“What?” I spin around so fast my shoulder slams into my teammate’s, making him curse out loud, drawing unwanted attention our way.

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