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“Fine,” I say, giving him the benefit of the doubt. “But don’t involve anyone else, and for fuck’s sake, don’t do it again.”
“I won’t. Thanks for helping me out, man,” he says as he rises to a stand. “I promise to pay you back, and I promise I won’t let you down again.”
“You’re goddamn right about that. Now get downstairs and put in some work in the training room.” I’m snarling and cranky, but his mistake just cost me a whole lot of money.
He made two promises there. He’ll pay me back, and he won’t let me down again.
If I were the betting man in this situation, I wouldn’t put money on him keeping either of those promises.
Before he walks out of my office, he turns back toward me. “Oh, one more thing. Your secretary…is she single?”
I roll my eyes. “Get the fuck out of here.”
He scampers out, but I definitely hear him chatting up Megan instead of heading down to the training room as I suggested.
I’m starting to regret bringing Asher in, but I know his performance on the field will speak for itself. I just need to get him safely to the start of the season. It’s only a few weeks. I can do this.
But my parents? That could be an entirely different story.
CHAPTER 22: JOLENE
Our podcast has been out for two days and it’s the third most listened to podcast on Spotify.
I think I might be in shock.
I knew it would be good, but it turned out even better than we had imagined. Reviews are rolling in, and it seems to be unanimous: the chemistry between us just rolls through the airwaves.
It’s hard to deny something quite this powerful.
But that also means if everyone else is hearing it in our voices, well…my parents might be, too. And that could pose a problem for me even if it’s just personal.
But it prompts me to text my mom and invite Jonah and myself over for dinner tonight, but before her response comes through, Rivera shows up at my cubicle.
It should be a celebratory visit given the hand he had in creating the final product that’s being so well-received, but I just don’t see myself ever getting on the same page as Rivera so that we could have that sort of celebration.
“I saw it in your eyes,” he says casually.
My brows dip together as I glance up from the document I’m working through. “Saw what in my eyes?”
“You’re in love with him. And I’m not sure if he feels it back, but the way everyone is talking about the chemistry between you, I have to believe he does. I’m not sure why, but that’s another matter entirely.”
“You’re not sure why?” I ask, ignoring the rest of his speech.
“Yeah. I’m not sure why he’d want you of all people, but I guess he does.” He shrugs. “At least the way he was eating your face that night made me think he does.”
“Eating my face?” I repeat as I make a face. “That’s a lovely picture, and you’re sure creating quite the fictional story, but I think it’s time to let it go. We’re working together on a podcast. He’s dating my best friend. There’s nothing more to it.”
“You keep saying that, and yet I have the photographic evidence that there is something more.”
“Was,” I say firmly.
“I know what’s going on, and I will do whatever it takes to prove I’m right,” he threatens.
“What good is that going to do? You’re going to come out looking like an asshole either way.” I say the words coolly, doing my best to appear unruffled, but the truth is…I’m ruffled.
“Not when I prove I’m right.”
I blow out a breath, ready with a retort, when Marcus comes rushing up to us. “Oh, good, you’re both here. I need to go. I, uh—” He’s flustered, his eyes darting all around the room, and it’s setting me further on edge. “I just got word that my mother had a bad fall and she broke her hip. I need to get to her.”
