With the amazing success of the charity event that Briggs helped with a couple of days ago, and his interest in getting more involved by fundraising on his own with his big network, Erika thought we should get together and run through logistics.
“Well, I said it once, and I will say it again, that was a hit. The hospital loved him, the president and the staff of the charity loved him, and, of course, the fans loved him.”
“He did great, didn’t he?” I beam.
“Incredible. And you said he wants to start his own charity and raise funds for my friend’s organization to open more children’s cancer wings?”
“Yes, he’s passionate about it. He wants to do everything he can, and I thought we could help him get his charity on his feet. In the off-season, he can be more hands-on.”
“That’s great. I love this idea. If any other Hawkeyes players want to start a charity, we can help them too.”
“I’ll let Tessa know. I have a feeling she’ll devour this new service.”
“Perfect. I spoke with my friend who held the fundraiser at the hospital, and he is going to come in next week so that we can strategize with how Briggs’s new charity can assist them.”
“That sounds great. I think Briggs would like to be here for that as well. If we can schedule it for a time we both can come in together, that would be ideal.”
“Yeah, um, that’s something I wanted to chat with you about while you’re here.”
I look at her and don’t like the more serious look in her eyes.
“Derek came to see me a couple of days ago…”
A chill runs down my back at the mention of his name… and not a good one.
“And…?”
“He said he went by your apartment, and he felt that your relationship with Mr. Conley has become unprofessional and that how you’re handling this account would make you a poor choice for the Client Relations job.”
That freaking jerk! Office romance gone bad, I should have figured, especially after he showed up and talked to my brother. I want to blurt that bit of information out to her, too, but that might not help the situation. I try to keep a level expression on my face.
“And what do you think?”
She looks up at me and smirks. “Regarding Derek… I think jealous men are whiny bitches.”
I laugh out loud. Erika does like to tell it how it is.
Then she clears her voice and starts again. “However, as your boss and the owner of this company, I feel as though I must remind you that we have a strict policy about employees fraternizing with clients.”
“Erika, I…”
She holds up her hand to stop me.
“Before you lie to me and yourself, let me finish.”
I nod, folding my hands over one another as they dangle at my thighs. I’ve never gotten in trouble at work before, and I have no idea what she’s going to say.
She sighs and looks down at her desk as if working through her thoughts. “It isn’t lost on me that both the Hawkeyes and I have asked a lot of you. We’ve asked you to date a man that you have a long history with, and then we’ve demanded that you and Briggs live together to cement the lie. We’ve even asked you to show intimacy every time a camera might be in focus to make our story more believable. And you have delivered everything we have asked of you with the utmost care.” She purses her lips. There’s a ‘but’ coming. “So it seems hypocritical for me to now ask that you remain professional and not allow the potential bond between you two to grow. As it has, based on the way he looks at you in the photos I’m seeing online.”
“The way he looks at me?” I ask, curious to get someone else’s perspective on what I think I see and what is real.
She tilts her head slightly with a smile as if she knows what I’m asking for. Can she read minds? I’d believe it if it were true.
“No man looks at a woman like that in obligation.” She smirks.
“But I could date Derek or any other employee, and you’d be okay with it?” I ask, hoping she sees the double standard.
“The reason employees can date each other but not clients is simple to explain. If two employees become romantically involved and it ends poorly, I might lose a good employee due to a bad breakup, but I won’t lose a million-dollar account. And our reputation could be jeopardized if anyone thinks we sleep with our clients to keep them or to earn their business. Do you understand?” she says, with an almost empathetic look in her eyes.
“I do.”
She nods.
“You’ve done good work, and you’ve put your life on hold for this company and the Hawkeyes. You’re an asset here. But I do have to hold the line to make sure that I give fair treatment to all of my employees. If you choose Briggs, I’ll have to ask for your resignation… as much as it pains me to say that.”
My resignation. They want me to quit after what I’ve done? I have a mixture of feelings running through me, but it’s not as if I didn’t know the rules. I read the employee handbook when I got this job. I just skimmed through the employee/client relationship because I never assumed it would be relevant.
“Even though I own the company, I have a board to answer to, and they’ll expect this of me.”
I nod. “I get it, Erika. I know it puts you in an awkward position.”
“Can I say one more thing… as a friend? I know it may seem that I’m trying to sway you one way or the other, but I do want you to be happy.”
I smile up at her. “Sure. What is it?”
“Just… tread lightly. You’ve known him far longer than me, but from an outsider’s view, just remember that we might be trying to change his public image, but he earned that reputation he had well before we showed up. Don’t give him a chance to prove to you that he earned it fair and square.”
“I won’t,” I say simply.
“I hope not.”
“Anything else?”
“Only that I hope you pick us. You are a real talent, and you’ll be difficult, if not impossible, to replace.”
“Thank you,” I say.
She nods and then turns to her computer. She’s a woman with a lot more on her plate than one employee who’s been dangerously walking the line of breaking a company policy. I mean, technically, I guess I have. But this whole thing has become one big, blurred line, and I have no idea if I’m still straddling it or if I’m miles away from it now. I walk out of her office and close her door.
No losing your heart to the cocky player.
Later that night, Briggs calls.
“Hey, I should be home tonight. How did your day go?”
“Fine,” I say, short.
“Just fine.”
“Yeah.”
“Is everything okay?”
I think for a second, and the silence grows.
“Autumn—”
“I spoke to Erika today.”
“Okay, what happened?”
“She told me that Derek came to see her. Evidently, the same day he came to see my brother.”
“What did the asshole say?”
“That you and I are having an unprofessional relationship.”
“And Erika told him to mind his own fucking business, right?” he asks.
I can hear the slight edge to his voice that seem to come out whenever Derek is involved.
“Not exactly.”
“What did she say then?”
“That it’s against company policy to have a romantic relationship with a client.”
“You’re kidding me, right? This was their damn idea. They’ve asked us for PDA everywhere and anywhere there are cameras around.”
“I know…”
“Did you tell her she can eat a dick?”
“Briggs!”
I know he’s mad but it isn’t like I didn’t know the rules. I’ve always known that staff can’t get involved with clients and I never thought that anything would happen between Briggs and me.
“Fine, did you at least tell her she can’t have it both ways?”
“No, I did not tell my boss and the person who writes my paychecks that she is giving mixed signals… she already admitted to it.”
“So what exactly did she say?” he asks.
“That you and I return to a professional relationship and only show affection in public when we have to, or I need to turn in my resignation letter.”
“You’re fucking kidding me. They’re making you choose between your job and me?”
His voice increases a little. He’s upset. I get it.
“Yes.”
I can hear him huff in the background and the line goes quiet for a second.
“What do you want to do?” he finally asks.
What do I want to do? I want you to be home so I can run into your arms and feel safe for one second.
I want to stop being scared of telling you how I feel about you because I’m terrified that this being temporary is what you like about this arrangement most of all. It’s not easy to walk away from a promotion you’ve always wanted when you’re not sure if the boy that you’ve always wanted, wants the same thing.
“I’m not sure.”
“Which means you’re picking the job.”
“Wait, I didn’t say—”
“I got to go. We’re getting on the bus to come home. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Hold on, Briggs—”
But it’s too late. He hung up.
I think to text him but if anything has proven that talking over the phone isn’t working, it’s that conversation. I need to see him in person.
Briggs
I’m finally back home and asleep in the spare bed after getting back around three in the morning. After what Autumn told me yesterday, I have to guess that the odds of us being together after Operation De-sleaze Conley is null. The disappointment of hearing her say it over the phone still hasn’t softened, but I guess on the bright side, Isaac won’t be coming back to kick my ass.
My phone starts ringing, and I’d like to huck it across the room, but I think better of it and check the caller ID.
Mom calling…
Shit.
She knows I just got home. She wouldn’t call before ten in the morning on the day after game day unless she had a reason.
“Hello,” I answer, trying to clear the grogginess from my throat.
“Hi, sweetie. Are you back home from this weekend?”
“Yeah. We got home early this morning.”
“Oh… right, I’m sorry to be calling this early. Go back to sleep and call me when you get up.”
She has something important to tell me. I can hear it in her voice. A feeling of dread sweeps over me. Would it be too much to wish back to the days when she was calling to nag me about proposing to Autumn instead of what she’s probably calling about? I’d give anything for that to be the reason for my mother’s early morning call. I’d even take an hour-long conversation about not wearing my jock strap and cutting out all foods with yellow color dye to increase my sperm count so she can get a grandbaby over the likelihood that this conversation is going to lead to my dad’s illness.
“No. Mom… it’s okay. I’m up,” I say, sitting up in bed and rubbing the sleep from my left eye.
“I didn’t want to tell you until we were sure. Until the doctors were sure…” She stalls.
“It’s okay, Mom, take your time.”
I hear her sigh. “He’s not responding to the treatments anymore.”
“Jesus…” I say, slamming my eyelids shut and running a hand through my hair.
“They have one more thing they want to try, but it’s not a sure thing, and there are a lot of things that have to go right for this to work.”
“Okay! That’s good news, right? What is it? We’ll try anything. I’ll pay for anything. Tell them money isn’t an object. I’ll drain every last dollar I have, Mom,” I say.
I can hear the hope in my voice, and so can she.
“I know, Briggsy. Thank you, baby. But you know Dad wouldn’t let you do that,” she says.
“Then we don’t tell him. So what is it? What can we do?”
“He needs a bone marrow transplant.”
“I’ve heard of that. That should be easy, right? They have a whole bank of people willing to donate.”
“It’s not always that simple—”
“Then I’ll donate. We’re blood.” I argue.
“Yes, the doctor would like us all to test and see if any of us are a match. Sandy and Kirk are here this morning to test, and your uncles are getting tested as well.”
“I’ll come tomorrow. Okay? I’ll tell the team I have a family emergency.”
“That would be good. Your dad would like to see you.”
“Autumn and I have a meeting with Sam Roberts this morning. I’ll get it cleared.”
“Autumn’s going in with you to see your general manager?”
“Yeah.” Shit, I didn’t think that through. “She’s helping with some charity work I’m doing, and the Hawkeyes are lending a hand.”
I hate lying to my mom, but that wasn’t a lie. We are working on charity work together, and the Hawkeyes said they’d help out however they could.
“That’s so great, honey. Bring Autumn with you, will you?”
“Sure, Mom. I’ll ask her to come if she can.”
Although now… coming with me could cost her a job.
“Love you, Briggsy.”
“Love you, Mom.”
She hangs up, and I jump out of bed in search of Autumn. I need to see if she can come with me tomorrow, and now with the news of my dad, there’s no way I’m sleeping anymore.
Autumn
I hear a knock on my door while I’m putting on my mascara.
“Come in.” I watch for the door to open, but I know who will be on the other side, although I wish he was still sleeping. He’ll have only gotten four or five hours of sleep at this point. When I see his face come into view around my bedroom door, I’m instantly on alert by the look on his face. “Why are you up this early?”
He just wanders into my room and takes a seat on the bed, not uttering a word.
I holster my mascara wand back into the tube and set it on the counter. I make a cautious exit out of my bathroom and toward him in the bedroom.
“What’s going on?”
I walk to stand in front of him, and I reach for his hands which are lying almost lifelessly in his lap.
He looks down at our joined hands.
“My dad is sick.”
I nod. This much I already know from him telling me last week.
“Okay?” I ask, encouraging him to go on. I know that’s not the only reason why he’s up and sitting in my room.
“My mom called. I need to go home. I need to get tested as a bone marrow donor.”
“Oh my gosh… Briggs.”
He looks away and down at our hands, his thumb running over the top of mine.
“I’ll get tested too,” I offer up immediately.
That catches his attention, and he looks up at me.
“You will?”
“Of course I will,” I say, squeezing his hands.
“Will you go home with me?” he says, looking into my eyes and then looking back down to watch his thumb continue its sweeping effect over mine. “I think I need you.”
That brings me down to my knees as I settle in front of him. I need him to see me when I say this, and I need him to understand.
“I will go wherever you need me to go. I will be wherever you need me to be. I’m at your full disposal. Tell me what I can do for you.”
His eyes meet mine, and it guts me how sad he looks.
“I think I should head home after we meet with Sam.”
“I think that’s a good idea. You won’t be able to focus on anything else here anyway.”
He nods.
“I have a meeting with Erika right after we meet with Sam. It’s critical I go, or else I—”
“No,” he interrupts. “It’s fine. You should go. Get it cleared with Erika. I don’t want you getting fired for this. I’ll drive up ahead. It might be good for me to get some time with my parents before you get there anyway.”
Now I wish I hadn’t said that my meeting with Erika is important. Nothing is more important than us getting up to Walla Walla and seeing what we can do there.
“Are you sure? I can reschedule. You’re more important than anything else. And if she fires me for going to spend time with our family… well, then she does.”
“Do you mean that?” His eyes search my features to determine authenticity.
“Of course I do. Do you want me to prove it? I will…”
“No,” he says, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. The left side of his lip curves up in a slight smile. “I’ll go up ahead. I’ve been avoiding this for some time now, and my dad deserves some one-on-one time with me.”
“I’ll be right behind you, Briggs. Two hours, tops. I promise.”
He nods and then stands up, holding my hands still in his.
“I’m going to go pack, so I’m ready to leave after our meeting with Sam.”
“Okay,” I tell him softly.
He pulls me gently into him with our joined hands and kisses my forehead.
And then I watch as he exits my bedroom, not looking back as he leaves, and then shuts the door behind him softly.
The feeling that I need to go with him is strong, but this meeting with Erika involves the intel she said she just heard from her private eye. I need to hear what she has to say before I leave town.
While in the privacy of my bathroom, I make one quick phone call… to my brother.
I know Briggs won’t call him, not with everything going on between them, with me smack dab in the middle of it. And even if I weren’t, Briggs has been unpredictable when it comes to handling his father’s illness. That is undisputed because it’s the reason behind the whole blackmail mess to begin with, so I have no idea if he’ll call Isaac on his own accord and tell him what’s going on with Mr. Conley.
I quickly call my brother and catch him up on this morning’s events.
“So, can you come?” I ask.
“I have an interview with a radio host tomorrow… shit, Autumn, I’m not sure. But I’ll try, okay?”
“He needs you, Isaac. More than he ever has before.”
“I know… I gotta go. I have calls to make if I’m going to work this out.”
“K, love you.”
“Love you.”
