I roll my eyes but obey, scrubbing my teeth until the minty taste overpowers the kale juice and vomit combo.
As I rinse, I call out, “You coming to the game tonight? I’ve got an extra ticket. VIP access.”
Logan appears in the doorway, grinning. “Depends. Are you gonna introduce me to some of the players?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Henry’s gonna kill us both.”
“Eh, no one’s taking the place of my nerdy husband,” he says, smirking.
I toss my toothbrush onto the counter and grab my bag. “All right, let’s go. And you’re coming tonight. End of discussion.”
He throws his arm over my shoulder as we head out. “Fine, but you owe me nachos and a player introduction. Preferably someone hot.”
“You’re impossible,” I say, but I’m grinning now. Maybe today won’t be so bad.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Daisy
The conference roomsmells like someone microwaved a week-old egg sandwich and left it out to rot. It’s hot, stuffy, and gross. I can feel the nausea bubbling up, but I clamp my mouth shut and try to focus.
This meeting has to go well.
Janice stands at the front, her usual power pose in full effect—arms crossed, blazer crisp, dark bob framing her sharp face. She glances down at her notes, then back up at us.
“All right, let’s talk wins,” she starts, her voice cutting through the low hum of whispered conversations. “Logan, your vibrator piece? It worked. Got decent feedback.”
“Thanks, boss,” Logan says with a smirk, leaning back in his chair like he owns the room, but Janice doesn’t acknowledge him.
“The overconsumption piece? It worked… a little. We’ve seen better numbers.”
There’s a murmur of agreement. I shift in my seat, the room’s heat pressing on me.
God, it’s so hot in here. Why does it smell like death? Is no one else noticing this?
“And Daisy,” Janice continues, snapping my attention back. “Your first Ice Men spread? Huge hit. The jerseys, the team insight—it’s got everyone talking. That’s the kind of content we need more of.”
I nod, trying to look calm, but my stomach churns harder.
“Thanks,” I manage, though my voice sounds shaky to my ears.
Janice glances around the table. “The rest of you need to step it up. We need fresh ideas, engaging pieces. The Ice Men are a hit, but we can’t rest on one good spread. Logan, maybe you can work on something fun. Interviews. Maybe…” She pauses, tapping her pen against her clipboard. “What people do in their cars when they think no one’s watching.”
Logan grins. “Hell yeah, boss. I’ll get you some wild stories.”
Someone snickers, and Janice shoots them a look that could freeze fire. “Make it professional, Logan.”
“Always,” he says, still grinning like a troublemaker.
I’m barely registering the conversation at this point. The egg smell is overpowering, and I’m sweating like crazy.
My stomach flips again. Oh god. Please don’t puke in front of everyone.
The meeting wraps up with Janice rattling off deadlines and updates, but her eyes land on me before anyone stands.
“Daisy, see me in my office.”
Shit. That’s never good. I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat.