Page 2 of Off Sides

I stomp up the stairs as I hear her tell the strange lady, “I’ll do the navy one.”

Fuck this relationship.

3

Chapter 3

Raine

Istand by the window, contemplating on if I really want to go tonight. But I’m the boss, important contacts and investors will be in attendance, can’t really stay in. A night in sweats and a beer, watching some mindless show sounds like a better night than this.

I have one really big thing to do and that is announce that I’ve decided to let a camera crew follow my teams around. The big stipulation is that I’m only interviewed once each show. I don’t want this to be about myself or my bank account or who I’m dating. This show will be about the businesses I’m helping, getting the name out there and drawing customers to them. I don’t want the credit, really. And I’m not dating anyone.

Sure, I’ve been seen around town dining with someone every once in a while, but it’s all a farce. Women are not my taste. AmI hiding who I am? No, just giving the world what they want. In truth, I haven’t found anyone that makes me want to go all in.

The door chimes and I turn as Derek enters, “limo is waiting.” With a sigh I follow him to the elevator to take it down to a night I won’t want to remember.

“Is your speech ready?” he asks.

With a nod, “yeah, I finished it. It’s brief.”

He chuckles, “sounds like you.”

He knows me well. The doors open and he ushers me into the limo to take me to the Aria. I rented out two convention rooms for this gala. Full bar, paid for. Big buffet with every food one can dream of. I thought about having servers deliver food like at a restaurant, but decided an elegant buffet with everything on it would suffice. The more people mingle, the more I can disappear.

The limo pulls up and I follow Derek inside, nodding to people who notice me. Phones already out, women whispering. Head forward, one foot in front of the other.

Derek opens the doors to the gala, and I can see it’s already in full swing. Band playing in the corner, the bartenders are serving up whatever poison someone picks, groups chatting about whatever big purchase they made because some people have to show off how rich they are.

Derek hands me a beer, which I down half of before I take the stage. Liquid courage and all. I’ve always been a private person. It’s not that I can’t talk to crowds, I just don’t like it.

Handing the bottle back to Derek, I sigh, climbing the stairs to take the mic. All eyes on me as they see me take my place, “welcome everyone. I’ll keep this brief so you may enjoy the food and drinks along with good company. Thank you to my staff for all the hard work they do to help those that need it. I never started this company for money; I generally want to help businesses in Las Vegas. For those with the means to do so, Iwould hope that you would like to help as well. Derek will have my schedule if anyone would like to make an appointment to see what we do in real time. Please enjoy.” Light applause as I exit the stage and take the bottle from Derek. He just smiles, “well said.”

With a nod I scan the crowd and then I see HIM. I’m not sure why he stood out, other than the fact that everyone in the room knows who he is. It’s something else entirely. Dasher Frost, new rookie with the Las Vegas Fortune. The team has high hopes for him. People stop to shake his hands, some of my employees take pics with him. He’s a celebrity in his own right.

Without a thought I head to the table he’s at, not even knowing why. I approach and everyone stops talking to look at me.

“Good evening, everyone. How are we enjoying this event?” I ask. Most of the table are my staff with their significant others. Dasher sits with Poppy; she runs the social media platforms for the company. Since I hired her, she’s been a little pushy. In other words, she has a crush on me and everyone knows it. I’ve seen the looks around the office when I pass through. I shut her down any time she gets flirty. I would fire her, but I don’t have anything to fire her for—yet.

Poppy’s eyes light up, “hi, sir. We were just talking about how good the food is. You really went all out.” I nod, though I didn’t pick out the menu, my assistant did that. Sophia isn’t here tonight as it’s her anniversary. She and her husband have been together for seven years. As my treat for her hard work, I sent them on a little trip. Right now, she’s probably in Aspen sipping drinks on the balcony of the hotel with her husband, loving the views.

“Thank you, Poppy,” I say, and she practically preens as I say her name. She smiles and then turns to her boyfriend, “this is who I’ve been telling you about.”

Dasher looks me up and down and then says, “thank you for hiring her.” I’m not sure what the tone is, or if he’s really thankful. I can’t really describe it.

“She’s good at what she does,” I say as Poppy giggles. Dasher’s face tightens, almost like annoyed. I go on, “so are you. Vegas has high hopes for you.” He looks shocked that someone would know who he is, even though he was just taking pics with fans.

“Ummm thanks,” he almost whispers.

I pat his shoulder as I take a seat, “not used to the spotlight yet, I take it.” He shakes his head no.

“You’ll get used to it. I have a box at the stadium; I hope to be at every home game.”

He locks eyes with me, his eyes are so blue, “you’re a fan?”

With a shake of my head, “not really, but I do like watching football. I’m more of a hockey fan.”

He grins, “same. I love playing football, but I love watching hockey. I would have played, but I can’t stay upright on skates.” I laugh and he joins in. One glance at Poppy and I know she’s upset. Maybe because I’m taking his time, I don’t know.