Page 18 of Her Greatest Mistake

“I’ll wait for you outside, then,” I snap before spinning around and shoving open the door.

My heart is racing faster than it does after a playoff game, and I hate it. Fucking detest it. The last person who should have this effect on me is Braxton Heights. I can’t do this. I can’t come back here again.

The waiting room is empty, besides the blonde watching me from the front desk. She gives me a timid smile, and I flash her a fake one in return before walking to the front window and staring out at the parking lot.

The door swings open behind me, and shoes slap the floor. Nobody speaks, and I don’t turn around. Just knowing she’s behind me is too much as pain continues to bubble in my chest.

“We need to get this over with now. I have another meeting in an hour,” Dougie says. I ignore him.

“Maddox?”

I squeeze my eyes shut at the sound of my name. It falls from her mouth like it belongs there, and I clench my fingers.

A large hand clasps my shoulder, and one whiff of spicy cologne tells me it’s Bentley. “Come on, man.”

Pulling a breath between my lips, I straighten and walk to one of the beige chairs before sitting stiffly, keeping my eyes trained on the floor as everyone starts to follow suit.

I’m relieved when Dougie starts to speak first.

“If it’s alright, we would appreciate if you sent your receptionist home, Braxton. This isn’t a conversation we need getting out to the press.”

I assume he’s talking about the blonde.

“Yeah, okay. Give me a second.”

Footsteps and muffled voices sound before the front door closes.

“Thank you. I know everyone is confused here, so I’ll try to make this quick. Braxton, I’m sure you know about your father’s latest tale as well as what repercussions would have followed suit. Clearly, this wasn’t exactly your fault, but just hear us out.”

She must nod because it’s silent before he continues.

“How often do you keep up with hockey news?”

“I don’t.”

Dougie releases a tight breath. “Okay, well, Maddox was also recently involved in an altercation outside of a bar with his brother. This ultimately left the opening for your father to slither in with his lies and baseless claims. We’re in rebuild mode, so to speak, and need your help. I wouldn’t involve you if I didn’t think it was our best chance, but alas, you just might be. I know you two haven’t seen each other in a . . . long time—”

A rough laugh escapes me before I can swallow it. I feel eyes on me but still don’t look up from the bleached spot of flooring in the centre of the room.

“What I was saying is that we have a plan for how to help his image, but beyond that . . . well, that’s where you would really come in.”

“You want to use the shelter? Fine. Sadie will be your girl for whatever you need,” Braxton says.

“Yes, we want Maddox to take part in the fundraisers and adoption day you’re set to put on in June. It will look good for him to help out with a local cause. But that’s only part of it.”

The slight tremble in his final words snatches my attention, and before I can stop myself, I’m looking at him, my eyes narrowed. He swallows thickly, and my stomach sours.Don’t do whatever it is you’re planning, Dougie.

“How close are you with your father?” Dougie asks cautiously. Careful isn’t like him. He’s unapologetic and confident. He doesn’t get nervous.

“I don’t speak to my dad unless I have no other choice. We aren’t close.”

“Then we have a proposition for you.”

“Who is we?” she asks.

Bentley knocks my knee with his and shoots me a confused look. I shake my head, just as confused.

Paper crinkles, and I look back at my agent to see him pulling a stack of papers out of his briefcase. He flips through them quickly before handing them over to Braxton. Her hands shake as she grabs them and drops them in her lap.

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