Page 2 of Between Commitment and Betrayal
I stood toe-to-toe with him, meeting his gaze right back even if he was a whole head and a half taller than me. My body never reacted in fear the way it should have with him, it got stupid butterflies in my gut instead. I figured everyone got those, though.
Declan Hardy was a global sensation for a reason. It wasn’t just that he was an investor in my father’s hospitality and fitness empire either. That face, his thick dark hair, those piercing green eyes that stared into my soul every time he glanced my way. “Thatfucker?” I emphasized his language and lifted an eyebrow as I glared at him.
He shook his head like he wanted to chastise me and waited for me to explain. Yet, I’d learned long ago not to indulge in idle conversation around my personal life.
He breathed out when he realized I intended to stay quiet. “You’re Carl’sdaughter, Everly.” He said it like I should know better.
I shoved the plush towel into my duffel while grumbling, “I can’t believe he tattled to his partner about where I’m going again.”
Declan pointed at a sleek gold bin. “There are clean towels in the locker room. You can dispose of that one there.”
The luxury this man was accustomed to made me wrinkle my nose. “I’m fine reusing.”
He wiped a hand over his face. “You’re going to make us all go insane.”
“Seriously?” I scoffed. “You barely see me.”
“And yet every time I do, you’re ruffling feathers,” he pointed out.
I tried not to raise my voice as I hiked my duffel bag up onto my shoulder. “If you’re talking about the meeting you couldn’t attend last week, I’d simply requested an empty yoga studio for the Sunville kids in this town to utilize for children’s yoga.”
“I—” He narrowed his eyes. “Your father didn’t say it was for kids.”
Could I roll my eyes at this point or would that have been too disrespectful? Sunville Elementary was an underserved school that was in desperate need of more after-school activities. It was a way for the HEAT Empire to give back to the community. A win-win really. Yet, my father had immediately shut down the idea.
“Had you not skipped the meeting, you would know that,Mr. Hardy.”
“Declan,” he corrected, his eyes flashing with irritation. “I’m busy. I train athletes, have shareholder meetings, and—”
“Yes, a skydiving appointment seems like it should take precedence.”
That chiseled jaw ticked fast. Maybe he thought because I was quiet that I would back down, that I would roll over since he was a major shareholder of this elite fitness and hospitality brand. HEAT stood for Hardy Elite All-Access Team and supposedly spanned the nation with resorts, fitness centers, restaurants and more.
My backbone wasn’t impressed and was still very much present when it came to what I’d be doing while I was here. I intended to make an impact where I could even if I didn’t plan to stay forever.
“I’m sure it wasn’t skydiving.”
“Fine. Racing a car.” I shrugged and squeezed the bag’s strap on my shoulder when he dragged his gaze up and down my body like he was measuring me up.
“I’m not going to argue with you, Everly,” he said softly. Still, it somehow felt like he was grinding salt into a wound.
“It’s Evie,” I threw out, knowing it wouldn’t matter.
“Look, have more classes for the kids. I’ll never say no to that.” He scratched the back of his neck, his bicep bunching and showing off a few of the tattoos he had on his upper arm beneath his white T-shirt. “I just had other meetings. If you need to discuss implementing new classes that you know your father is going to disagree with, you should probably make sure I’m available. Do you check the schedule?”
Could I smack the condescension out of his tone or would I lose my job for that? “I’ll make sure to double-check it next time.”
“See that you do. And let’s not get your father’s heart worked up. Wes is probably twice your age. You can’t be seen with that asshole.” He said it offhandedly, like he could slide one extra request in.
I combed a hand through my waves. “Twice my age? Get real, Mr. Hardy,” I sneered his last name since he couldn’t be bothered to listen to my request either. “I’m twenty-four. And just because I’m his daughter doesn’t mean I’m not going to date people I’m interested in.”
He tilted his head, like he needed to study me all of a sudden. Like he was realizing I was more than ten years old. His gaze dragged over me, licking up every curve of my body, and then he shut his eyes tight as if seeing what appealed to another man was painful. It infuriated me that my body even responded to his perusal. “He’s notjusta guy, Everly. He’s an asshole. Being seen with him is bad for press. You’re a part of HEAT now.”
“Really?” I cocked a hip and lifted an eyebrow, ready for this to be over. “So, there are rules already regarding who I date because of a headline? You’re going to continue to come to his house and drag me out because you’re nervous it might tarnish a brand name? Do you hear how ridiculous that sounds?”
“We barely accepted him into HEAT based on his reputation and how he’s played in the NFL. He plays a dirty game and his fuckboy reputation—”
“I don’t watch football and can make my own judgments on a person. I don’t need the press telling me who to date.” I cut him off, furious that my father’s business partner thought I’d let the media’s story on a person sway me.
