Page 11

Chapter 11

I don’t think he likes you

Cooper

With the charity dinner that we’d been required to attend over, the team had dispersed for the summer. Most of the guys had gone to see family or unwind on vacations, but there was a group of six of us who were planning to make the most of this offseason. Because next year we weren’t losing the finals.

I’d arranged for us to use the facilities at our practice rink for the summer. Team management was just as keen as we were to make next season different. Today was the first day of our workout sessions. I’d employed Scout for the last couple of offseasons for training and arranged with him to work with us to get in condition. The workouts wouldn’t be too intense until we’d had a chance to rebuild from the stress of the playoffs. But the longer we let our bodies go, the harder it would be to get back into shape.

I was the first to arrive at the rink. I changed into shorts and a T-shirt, then let Scout in and did warm-ups while he set up the exercises he would use to test our current fitness levels as a starting benchmark.

Ducky arrived next, the youngest in our group, almost bouncing in place with excitement. Petrov, the big Russian goalie, strode in with a nod. Crash and Royster carpooled together, and JJ slipped in last.

We shared an intensity that was rare for this time of year. Coach had told us to hang on to the feeling of that loss, the brutal pain, and use it to propel us in the next season. Everyone here was doing that.

Assessment took about an hour. Scout was big on flexibility and stretching, and he made sure we could do all the movements he assigned to us for the week. For the next three weeks we’d meet with him here on Monday and get our assignments. After that, in July he’d work with us Monday through Friday, upping the intensity until August, when we’d get on the ice again.

Gathered together in the locker room after our session, it was almost like the season, except there were a lot fewer of us.

“So what’s everyone doing when they’re not here?” Ducky asked.

Petrov lowered his brows. “Training. Resting. Rebuilding.”

Ducky nodded. “Cyborg life, right. But don’t you normally do all that in Russia?”

“This year I focus on hockey. Also, my family say not a good time to visit.”

Crash pulled off his T-shirt. His dark skin stretched over a broad chest. He was a hard man to get off the puck. He was the guy who’d stepped in for JJ on that last shift. If I’d just thought before I’d made that pass…

But I’d told Mitchell not to dwell on it, and I had to follow my own advice.

Crash bent over to untie his shoes. “I’ve bought a duplex—half for me, half for my mom and sister. We’re settling in, staying close this year.”

Royster grabbed a towel before heading to the showers. “I’ll go home for a week at some point, but it’s a small town and everyone is going to ask about the playoffs, so I’m just as happy to stay here.”

Ducky sat on the bench in front of his locker. “I’ll go home for a week sometime too, but mostly I’m here. We should do stuff!”

JJ frowned at him. “What kind of stuff?”

JJ was staying in town for most of the summer. His twin sister shared his condo, and since she worked a regular job she wasn’t leaving. The siblings weren’t close to their parents in any case.

“We could go to the beach and swim. Spend a day at Wonderland. Go out to a club or something.”

“Do you have any idea what the water temperature is in Lake Ontario? Your balls will pull up so far into your body you’ll never see them again. I’ll pass on swimming.”

Petrov crossed his arms, pale, naked body fully exposed. “We are in training. No clubs.”

Ducky pouted. “All right, how about poker nights?”

“Not if Royster is playing,” Crash objected.

Royster, Barnes and Bongo were our shutdown line and shared some kind of poker voodoo. They rarely lost.

“We’ll come up with something, Ducky,” I reassured him. We all wanted to be at our best for the next season, but we couldn’t train and do nothing else. As captain, I had to make sure we were all in a good place, mentally and physically.

“You’re in town all summer too?”

“Mostly,” I agreed. “We’ll do some golfing if you want.”

“When are you away?”

“End of summer. Family wedding.”

“Weddings can be fun.”

I wrapped a towel around my hips. “Not this one.”

“Do you have to go?”

I’d face incredible pressure if I didn’t. I’d considered it. But the same part of me that had mapped out all the billboards where I’d posed mostly nude in my sponsor’s underwear made me determined to go and flaunt the success I’d gained in front of my family. By almost any standard, I’d succeeded, and I was proud of what I’d done. Would have been nice to bring the Cup along with me. But not this year.

“There’s no one holding a literal gun to my head, but it’s family, so.” I shrugged.

The guys nodded. They were familiar with family pressure.

“But you can get a killer date. There was that actress you went out with, right? And that model…”

I smirked. These guys—most people—would find a date like that impressive, but not my family. “Oh yeah, I’ve got a date lined up who will make the perfect impression.”

I left for the shower before Ducky asked any more questions. He had his brow furrowed, so something was coming.

I was the last to leave—I’d promised management that I’d make sure the place was left secure. I buckled on my watch and my phone buzzed. I checked, and like he’d been summoned by the previous conversation, it was my brother.

Call the skydive place for the B-party. You’re in charge of that.

What the hell? Anything like that was against my contract. The fucker knew that. I was sure he was just waiting for me to complain about it.

Don’t even try to say you’re modeling that weekend.

Turned out, I had plans for the weekend before the wedding. Golf lessons with Callie. And my busy tax lawyer date couldn’t get that much time off. I’d tell my family she couldn’t, anyway.

Date can’t get away early. Will only be present for the wedding events.

I turned my phone off before he answered. He could go break his neck skydiving without me. I’d better turn in that RSVP with my plus-one.

* * *

Callie

“Did you have a good weekend, Ms. Smith?” Leonie, my assistant, smiled at me as I passed her desk.

“Yes, thank you. And you?”

“It was nice to get outside, wasn’t it?”

I frowned. “How did you know?”

Her smile dropped. “I’m sorry—your nose is just a little pink and I see you don’t have any hours logged for Sunday again.”

“That’s okay, Leonie. You’re right, I did get out. It was good.”

She nodded anxiously. I’d worry that I somehow scared her, except she was like this with everyone, as far as I could tell.

“Mr. Anderson wanted to see you when you have a chance.”

“Can you ask when’s a good time for him? Rearrange anything you need to on my end.” If a partner wanted to talk to me, I would make it happen.

We were able to find a time just before lunch. His secretary sent me in. Mr. Anderson had a corner office, with a large desk and a couch and chairs. It was three times the size of mine, but I was happy with my office. Having my own walls and a door felt like my position in the firm was secure. But if I was partner, it would really be secure.

To get that, I had to demonstrate my value to the firm, so I was anxious about what Mr. Anderson wanted.

“Calliope! Thank you for making time.”

“Of course, sir. How may I help you?”

He waved a hand at the couch. “Have a seat.”

I sat down, perched on the edge. At work I wore suits with skirts. The tops were loose enough that my breasts weren’t conspicuous and the jacket and skirt a little baggy, but if I had to struggle up off the cushions, I didn’t want to flash Mr. Anderson.

He sat in a chair, crossing his legs and steepling his fingers together. His suit was a light gray, and for once I noticed the color choices and fit of what he was wearing. My own outfit was subdued and bland, but Anderson’s spoke of confidence and maturity.

Cooper would approve. I wanted to shove him out of my head, but it was becoming obvious that he had a point. My plan to make partner and then worry about how I looked? Might not work.

“I appreciate the information you prepared for Carruthers. He wasn’t happy with the firm he was using, and what you sent over gave him the confidence in us to transfer his business over.”

I smiled. I kept it contained and polite but inside I was grinning ear to ear and dancing. Yes! The petty part of me wanted to see Benson’s face when he heard the news. The anxious part of me was reassured that the stupid green dress hadn’t torpedoed my career.

“We’ll have to shuffle things around, but you’ll be doing a lot of work for Carruthers. We will definitely make note of this when it comes time for year-end bonuses. I hope that makes it worth interrupting your tête-à-tête?”

My—oh right. That talk with Cooper. “Not a problem.”

“Is Cooper a friend of yours?”

What the hell was I supposed to say? The curiosity in his expression indicated that he would prefer it if he was. Damn, this firm liked athletes. Did Anderson think I might bring Cooper in as a client? Yikes. That was not happening.

“That was actually the first time I spoke to him.”

Anderson looked disappointed. “Ah. Well, I hope he didn’t feel we were rude, doing business at a charity event.”

I spoke before I thought this through. “He didn’t say anything negative about it when we went to Briarwood.”

Fuck. Bragging about spending time with the man like he was a trophy I’d scored? I didn’t like that. But I wanted Anderson happy with me. I wanted to show I could not only handle tax matters, but also do the people part of being a partner—like networking and hanging out with celebrity athletes.

“Oh, he took you there?”

I couldn’t be upset that Anderson didn’t think I was a member. He was, and he’d know if an associate at the firm had somehow scored a membership. They probably had a long waiting list. “A couple of times. Since I was invited to the tournament in September, I want to be sure I represent the firm well.”

Was that too much of a suck-up? It was the truth, but perhaps I should have been a little less keen.

“I’m sure you will. Are you going again? Might I see you there?”

“I think we’ll be there again Sunday.” We were, right? Damn, I hadn’t done anything but hit the ball on the practice range either week. How bad would I look on the greens?

Anderson spread out his hands. “We won’t be there this weekend—we’ve got guests going out on the boat. Maybe another time?”

“I hope so.”

Anderson stood, so our meeting was over. “Thanks for stopping by, Callie. And tell your young man I’m looking forward to seeing him at Briarwood.”

“Oh, we’re just friends.” No way was I letting one of the partners, the one I knew best, think there was something more than golf lessons going on. It was a surprise that he thought there might be.

“Ah.” He nodded. “Mr. Cooper does seem to go through a lot of dates. Friends probably last longer.”

I nodded and left his office, taking a shaky breath. I wasn’t sure what was going on with Anderson and his expectations, but I’d better not mess up my career.

When I got back to my office, Benson was talking to Leonie. I narrowed my eyes. I hoped she was being discreet.

She glanced up with wide eyes. Her shoulders dropped. “Here she is now.”

Benson turned and raised his brows. “Early lunch?”

My hours were none of his business. I smiled reassuringly at Leonie. She hadn’t told Benson where I was, which probably indicated she hadn’t been sharing anything she shouldn’t. I crossed my arms. “Why, did you want to join me?”

I brought my own meals and ate them at my desk. That way I could keep on top of updates and notices without impinging on my billable hours. I didn’t know what Benson did for lunch, but I doubted it was a turkey sandwich and an apple.

“Krys had a question that I thought you might have some advice on, but you weren’t here, so…”

Was he going to run back and tell someone I was slacking off? Was that why he kept dropping by my office? “Not that I need to clear my schedule with you, but Mr. Anderson asked to talk to me. I feel so special, with two partners both wanting my input.”

Benson’s mouth turned down. “I’ll send you an email about that question.”

I nodded. “Probably a more efficient use of your time than dropping by in person.”

He shrugged. “I was passing by anyway.”

I lifted a brow. The lawyers in this section of the office had very little to do with Benson’s area of intellectual property.

He turned and left.

“I don’t think he likes you,” Leonie whispered.

“I know. I’m not sure why.”

“If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

The offer surprised me. It seemed out of character. Maybe Leonie wasn’t a total mouse. Maybe she was all about girl power, or maybe Benson had been unpleasant. In any case, I was happy to have an ally. I wasn’t good at making those.