Page 7 of The Player Penalty
My favorite headquarters perk is the gym and private showers. I spend an hour on the treadmill, then switch weights five days a week. For all that, it’s tame compared to the brutality of a race day.
The treadmill beeps, and I turn it off and slow my steps. My phone's clock tells me Boone is in the garage, and his sister is with Maddie.
Perfect timing because I made a bargain, and my part is now due.
“There you both are. Let’s talk.” I slam the wooden door shut.
Maddie and Sarah pause their conversation while Maddie slams a binder shut. Like I care about the contents.
“I’m not cleaning up your mess, Julian. I don’t work here anymore,” Sarah says. She shares her brother’s dark hair and eyes but lacks Boone’s intimidating stare. Her hands on hips don’t frighten me either. “What did you do this time?”
They think this is about a woman. “It’s about Lily.” Okay, so this is about a woman.
“Pete’s daughter?” Maddie asks. “What’s wrong with her?”
“What did you do to her?” Sarah asks.
Enough false accusations have been leveled at me that their questions hardly register. Besides, I can appease Sarah with easy humor, and Maddie is always polite. Respond in the same manner, and she’ll reciprocate. “I behaved like a gentleman. Not a line or boundary crossed. She’s in the workroom right this very minute.”
“If she needs help, tell her I’m glad to arrange extra support,” Maddie says. “I’ll check on her this afternoon.”
That statement right there is the problem. “When was the last time either of you talked with her? Not a check-in. An actual conversation.” They stare back at me. “You should do so. Soon.”
“We’re missing something. Julian, I swear to god, if you touched her…” Sarah says to threaten me.
It doesn’t work.
“I’m thirty-two, and she’s ten years younger than me,” I remind them. “Be serious for a minute.”
Sarah’s eyes narrow, but she backs down. “Good point.”
If any doubts about Lily’s situation remained, they’re gone. Sarah moved on to her next project, convinced she’d fixed everything behind her, while Maddie was so busy keeping her boyfriend happy that she had no time to check on her employees.
That leaves me as Lily’s only friend in this place. I relate because we can both be invisible around here.
“She’s being wasted right now, so I have a better solution. It’s one she’ll enjoy, which means Pete will be happy.” Maddie leans in. Boone is determined to keep Pete around as long as possible, and Maddie shares the same goal. “I need an assistant, and Lily is available.”
“You want Lily Webb to work for you?” Sarah asks. Her voice drips with suspicion. “Pete’s daughter?”
I ignore that. “It’s the playoffs, and I’m pushing to expand racing circuits next year. It worked out well for you,” I say, indicating Maddie. “You started as Boone’s assistant.”
“Yes, but-” she interrupts.
They’re also now engaged, but I don’t bring that up. It’s not relevant.
“Lily is ten years younger than me,” I repeat. “Have I ever broken workplace rules before?”
“Only if she wants it,” Maddie says. “I hate to see her unhappy.”
She would need to see Lily to make that judgment. “She isn’t.”
Sarah’s curious gaze studies me, but she doesn’t push. “It’s not my call. Like you say, I’m not an employee.”
She’s part owner of her husband’s company, and she is still here all the time. Their headquarters is under construction in the lot next door, so she’ll never leave.
“It’s settled then, and you two don’t forget to go talk to her.”
∞∞∞
