Page 5 of Eye of the Hurricane (Weathering Doves Harbor #2)

Katherine

There is nothing quite as bold and in your face as the smell of a college men’s locker room. Unfortunately for me, that locker room is attached to the two offices I spend most of my time in. Coach Black’s and Jacob’s.

Currently, I’m in Jacob’s office reading over the job requirements for the PR manager position with the South Carolina Sea Dragons. To my surprise, I meet every criterion. I’m fully eligible for the position.

For the first time in my entire life, the stars I’ve been reaching for scare me. The dreams I refused to shrink, no matter who told me to, seem too big and too hard now. Maybe because they’re within reach all of a sudden.

“I meet every criteria,” I murmur. I expect the words to sound happier than they come out of my mouth. I think Jacob does, too, by the tilt of his head and the clear confusion on his face.

“That’s good news, right?”

“Yeah. Sorry, just felt like my whole life flashed in front of my eyes. ”

“You’ve got this. We’ve got a few months still to prep, they’re not posting the job for a while now. I’m getting inside updates for you.”

“I know, and I appreciate it. I still want it, more than anything. This is just the first time I’ve ever felt scared about the future.”

“You’ve been taking baby steps, working your way up the ladder. Now this is a leap. Being scared is normal, but do it anyway,” he encourages me.

“Oh trust me, there is no backing out now,” I say with a laugh.

“Good. I really think you’re right for this. You’re going to have to be ready to work for it, though. You won’t be the only one who meets all the criteria. You might not even be the one who’s the most qualified on paper. If you can go in there and wow them, Katherine, I think the job can be yours.”

I knew going into this it would not be easy.

There will be people far more qualified going for the job.

All I can hope is that the PR team at the Sea Dragons see whatever the hell it is that Jacob sees in me.

He’s been pushing me in this direction for a couple of years now.

The only person dreaming bigger for me than me, is him.

“So, what do the next couple of months look like?” I ask. A big smile stretches across his face.

“I’m glad you asked. They won’t be interviewing until October, so the next couple of weeks, I want you shadowing heavier.

As much as possible, ideally. If I’m in office, so are you.

Nothing is in stone yet, but I’m pushing for them to let you shadow over there after that.

You’ve done all of the college courses, but I want you taking any online courses or seminars you can find, okay?

Nail down your last professional development requirements, then the last couple of weeks before interviews will be interview prep. ”

Call me crazy, but this feels better than the lax schedule I’ve been working with. Filling my schedule and working hard is always how I’ve dealt with a big and daunting future. Things don’t feel so scary if I know I’m doing everything I can to make them work out.

“That sounds great. If you think of anything else I can be doing, let me know,” I say, standing from my chair to head out.

“Katherine? One more thing,” he calls out to me. I pause, giving him my full attention. “I need you to promise me you’re going to make time for yourself outside of work. This is going to be a lot. You’ll burn out quickly if you’re not making time for rest and enjoying things.”

The extra hours and seminars are beyond easy. This, on the other hand, I may struggle with. I have a bad habit of leaving room for nothing but my plans and my future. I can’t imagine leaving room for fun at a time like this.

“I won’t burn out, promise.” I purposely avoid the other parts of what he said. He knows it, too, because he presses his lips into a firm line and tilts his head at me.

“Katherine. I’m serious. You will rest. Have fun.

Spend time with your friends and family.

Or I will not work with you. I will not enable you working yourself into the ground.

” Jacob spells out his terms, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

This might be the first time I’ve ever heard him get stern with me.

“Okay, yes. I promise. Rest, fun, friends,” I echo.

I pull open the refrigerator and reach for the 2000 Provence Rosè. I pop open the cabinet above me and pull out a wine glass, filling it higher than they’re meant to be.

I take my overfilled wine glass and head straight for the hot bath I ran for myself. I set the glass on the edge of the tub and sink into the water. It’s just hot enough to sting a little. I let out a sigh, feeling the tension of the day fall away.

I’m all for a fancy bathtub soak. I go all out. Essential oils, bubble bath, candles, a show or movie on my phone, and most importantly, the wine.

Just as I’m pulling up my favorite garbage reality TV show, my phone vibrates in my hand. It’s my mother. Just like that, the tension is back tenfold. I drag in a deep breath before pressing that godforsaken green button.

“Hi, Momma.” I muster up all of the energy and kindness I can, which is probably far less than you’d imagine.

“Hello, Katherine. I haven’t heard from you in a couple of weeks.

” Her voice and the thick drawl of her accent leaves me both glad I left Louisiana and somehow miserably homesick.

It’s nothing against the state, I love it there almost as much as I love South Carolina.

But, the more distance between me and my mother, the better.

“Sorry, I’ve just been busy.” I know it isn’t what she wants to hear but it’s the truth. A dry laugh echos in my ear. Here we go.

“Don’t tell me this is about sports. I thought we were over that. ”

As if it’s something I could just get over . It’s my career, it’s my dream. That’s never mattered to her, though. My education and my career have always just been the things standing in the way of me being the daughter she thinks I should be.

“Yeah, Momma. It’s about the hockey team.

I’m going for my dream job in a couple of months.

It’s going to take a lot of prep work.” I don’t know why I let myself play into the delusion that she might say she’s proud of me.

Hope hurts and I don’t know why I still let myself have it when it comes to her.

“And what exactly is this dream job of yours?” There isn’t an ounce of sincerity in her voice when she asks. It’s sarcastic and mean.

“PR manager for the South Carolina Sea Dragons. The state’s NHL team,” I explain.

Her laugh rings out and it’s a slap in the face. I knew it was coming, but it doesn’t hurt any less.

“You don’t really think that you’ll get a position in management with an NHL team as a woman, do you?” My mother laughs as if it’s the most unbelievable thing she’s ever heard. I’ve always known her stance on women in the athletics space. In her eyes, it’s not a place for women.

“I really think I have a chance,” I mutter meekly.

Her laughter stops and with it, a serious air settles over the call.

“That’s just silly, Katherine. You have had your fun, but it’s time you give this whole thing up and come home.

You’re twenty-four years old, Katherine.

You need to stop worrying about this ‘sports’ dream of yours.

It’s time to settle down and find a husband. ”

In a perfect world, I would cut my parents off, never speak to them. But it’s not a perfect world. Reality is that until I’m making enough money to stand on my own two feet, I’m stuck with Mommy and Daddy footing the bill .

I know, I know. Poor rich girl and her rich girl problems. I get it. I feel like I get a pass to let them foot the bill on my dreams, though. I call it payment for the emotional damage.

“I can have a career and a husband, Momma. Women all over the world do it.” Instead of crying like my body begs to, I do the dumbest thing I’ve possibly ever done.

“I have a boyfriend actually,” I lie. “It’s uh… getting pretty serious,” I double down.

“Oh my goodness! Katherine, this is the best news! I’m thrilled for you.

I’m so proud of you for finally settling down.

” Thinking all the way back, this is the first time I can ever remember my mother being proud of me.

I especially don’t remember her saying it out loud.

“Why did you wait so long to tell us?” she asks as her initial excitement fades.

“You know me, I’m just a private person,” I say with a nervous laugh.

“This is perfect! Josie and Colin are getting married this fall, you can bring him. That’s why I called, to let you know about the wedding.”

Fuck . Okay, didn’t anticipate that.

“I don’t think he’ll be able to travel home with me during the school year. I’ll try to be home for the wedding, though.”

“The wedding is out there, actually. Charleston is pretty close to where you’re going to school, right?” Of course, it is. Because I’m just that lucky. This is why we don’t lie, kids.

“Yep, Charleston is pretty close. I guess we should have no problem making it there.” No sooner are the words out of my mouth, I start planning a fake breakup with my fake boyfriend in my head.

“Oh, I just can’t wait to meet him!” she gushes.

“Me either,” I lie.

“Your father and I will just stay with you for the weekend since you live so close.” There’s that gleaming luck of mine again.

“What about Bub?” I ask. Bub is my big brother, Noah.

He’s three years older than me. He’s a lot more supportive than my parents, but he lacks the spine to actually stand up for me.

When it’s just me and him, he’s all ‘chase your dreams’ and ‘so proud of you’.

When my parents are around, he sides with them.

“Oh, maybe he’ll want to stay too. You have the extra room, right?” she asks. I know better than to think it’s optional.

“I’ll make room,” I tell her.

“That’s my girl.”

By the time we wrap up the call, the bathwater is lukewarm at best. All my precious bubbles have settled into nearly nothing. I give up the idea of a relaxing bath and drag myself out of the tub.

I slip into my pink satin pajamas and matching robe to curl up on the couch instead. Bellatrix curls up in my lap and I put on the reality TV episode I was hoping to watch before my mother called.

I can’t seem to focus on the show. All I can think about is how I’m going to get myself out of the story I told my mother. Maybe I don’t get myself out of it. Maybe I just find some guy to pretend to date me for the night.

I let myself toy with that thought for a minute or two before I remind myself of all the ways that would go horribly wrong. Not to mention, it would be wildly unfair to the poor soul who would have to not only be my fake boyfriend but also endure a night with my parents.