Hot stuff, p.14
Hot Stuff, page 14
A while we don’t have.
Especially with my agent in my damn kitchen.
Sighing, I scrub a hand over my face and head in Drake’s direction.
“Where’d you hear the rumor?” I ask without preamble.
“Cantrell.”
“Jerry?” What the fuck?
“He was on the other end of my phone about thirty minutes ago. Told me he was suing the pants off us both because he knows you’ve signed to play with the new franchise that hasn’t been announced yet.”
If I thought my jaw was clenched before, I was an idiot. I’m clamping down so hard I swear I hear bones cracking.
“He said this thing between you and Oakley is a smoke screen to hide the deal.”
“Huh.” As theories go it’s not a bad one. It’s way off but it’s not unbelievable.
“So is it a smoke screen?”
I laugh. “Did you not see me give you the look when you spoke about Oakley in a tone I didn’t find acceptable?”
Drake puts his hands up. “Got it. Not a smoke screen.”
Moving around him I get three mugs out of the cupboard. “I’m in love with her.” I don’t know why I feel the need to explain myself or give him the depth of our relationship but I do.
Hell, I want everyone in the world to know I’m in love with Oakley James.
“And she’s…”
I give him another narrow-eyed look.
“Right. She’s with you.”
There’s an awkward silence between us for a few moments and I don’t feel the need to soothe it with words. I want him to feel uncomfortable about this discussion.
“Okay, so what do we do about your retirement announcement?”
“Nothing right this minute. We’ll wait for Oakley to join us and I’ll give Rafe a call—”
“Why are you calling Rafe?” Drake asks as he picks up the first mug to fill with coffee now the pot is full.
“Um…” I glance around, for who I haven’t a clue because the only other person in the apartment is Oakley and she knows what I’m about to reveal. “This doesn’t leave this apartment.”
If Drake is taken aback by my tone, he doesn’t show it. He pushes a mug across the counter toward me. “If this has to do with Jerry Cantrell getting a kick in the nuts, I’ll keep my lips sealed, grab popcorn and a drink so I can sit back and watch the show.”
“Good. He doesn’t actually own the Knights.”
“What? Who the hell does?”
“Laken Cantrell.”
Drake’s still for half a second then he cracks up laughing so hard he doubles over. He tries to speak but nothing forms that I can understand.
I get why he thinks it’s hilarious. Before Gerald Senior died, his son was known as Gerald Junior. After Senior died, Junior made it clear he was no longer the junior in his family and everyone should call him Jerry.
“Oh fuck.” Drake straightens and wipes at his eyes. “Please tell me I need that drink and popcorn.”
“You will. I don’t know the timeline, but I know Laken is making moves in the next week or so.”
“Good time for you to cut ties with the Knights. Let’s get that announcement out sooner than later,” Drake says.
“Let me call Rafe real quick, then see what Oakley has to say.”
“Why do we need Ms. James’s input on this?”
“Because our relationship has been splashed all over the place this morning?” I don’t mean for it to be a question but it comes out that way.
“And the rumor…” Drake raises an eyebrow. “You haven’t confirmed or denied that.”
“It’s not Walker’s job to confirm or deny.” Oakley comes into the kitchen, her stride smooth, confident. “Care to tell me the details of the rumor?”
“Sure. Like I just told Walker, Jerry Cantrell called this morning to inform me he was suing me and him because he knows you’ve signed Walker to play on your new team.”
The smile that tips her mouth is full of humor. “Any idea where he got that from?”
“No. I told him I had no idea what he was talking about and I don’t speculate on my clients’ relationships, to which he said the thing between you two is a smoke screen to cover up your backstabbing ways.”
She’s laughing now and I have to chuckle along with her because Oakley doesn’t need to backstab anyone to get what she wants.
“Walker tell you Jerry doesn’t own the Knights?”
“He did indeed reveal that hilarious piece of info.”
“Good.” Turning to me she says, “I spoke to Nat and Blake and I have an NDA here.” Her gaze flicks to Drake.
“Ah, sure. If that’s the way you want it to go.” I’m trying not to reveal too much. Drake’s a smart man, he’ll be putting everything together to form a big picture. Proving that thought correct, he speaks.
“Got a pen for me to sign that NDA?”
Oakley’s mouth tips up on one side. “Oh, I think I like him.”
“You better.” He offers her a mug. “We’re going to be doing business together in the future, I’m sure.”
She takes the coffee and heads for the dining room. “C’mon, let’s put a plan of action together so we can all get on with the real business of our day.”
When she’s out of earshot Drake moves closer to me and says with a grin, “I think I like her too.”
“You better. I plan on keeping her around.”
“I figured.”
We follow Oakley and within a minute Drake has signed on the dotted line and we’re sitting around the table, my phone in the middle on speaker, waiting for Rafe to answer.
“Walker,” Rafe answers. “What can I do for you?”
“My announcement. Do the Knights want to make it a joint one?”
“Ah, give me a second.”
We hear a lot of moving around and the distinct sound of a door closing.
“Okay, I want to say yes but the shit hit the fan here this morning. Laken is with the team lawyers now.”
“Is she okay?” Oakley asks, shifting forward in her seat, concern etched on her face, in the stiffness of her posture.
“She will be.”
“Does she need anything?”
“No. But thank you.”
“Tell her to call me any time.”
“I will. Now, Walker, have you spoken to your agent—”
“I’m here too.”
“Right. Full court press. Okay, can you put the announcement off until later today or tomorrow?”
I glance at Oakley who shrugs, then Drake who gives me a thumbs up. “Yeah, we can hold off. What are you thinking?”
“Well, we’re going to be defending the team and Laken against Cantrell but not yet. The lawyers have done their thing, and he now has a gag order on him that should prevent him from talking more. But it’s Jer, so anything is possible.”
I bite my tongue to keep from saying what I’m thinking but Oakley doesn’t have the same restraint.
“He’s an idiot. He’s already spreading rumors about the league’s new franchise, and you and I both know the league will not take kindly to him revealing any information on that deal before they do.”
“Wow. His idiocy never stops.” Rafe’s sigh comes through loud and clear. “Let’s talk again tomorrow and set up a press conference for the day after, Walker.”
“I’m good with that.”
“Okay, talk then. I’m sorry to cut this short but I gotta get back to Laken.”
“Go. And thanks. I’ll wait to hear from you tomorrow.”
“All right. Bye.”
When the line goes dead, Drake leans back in his chair. “Well. That’s one thing dealt with, what’s next?”
“Now I have your pretty signature, I think we talk about this.” Oakley drops a bundle of papers I recognize in front of him.
He barely reads the first paragraph before his eyes are up and he says, “It’s true?”
“Yep.” She nods with a Cheshire cat smile. “You’re the first, outside of the league and KAW, to know the newest NHL team is the Rogues coming out of Baton Rouge.”
“Holy shit.” He tips sideways and pulls out his phone. “I need to make a call to someone.”
I look at Oakley. “Shouldn’t you notify the league of the leak?”
“No. Better if it comes from direct sources.” She points to Drake, then pushes back her chair and stands. “C’mon, let’s make sure we don’t overhear anything. That way we can deny knowledge about this call without lying.”
“I need a refill,” I say as I stand.
Reaching for Drake’s mug, I hook a finger through the handle. It’s heavier than I thought, and he probably doesn’t need a refill but it’ll keep us out of the room long enough for him to make the call.
She waits until we’re in the kitchen before speaking, her voice lowered. “Are you going to reveal I offered you a job?”
“I don’t know. Should I?”
“Up to you. I’ve just told him about the Rogues so it’s not like you have to be vague.”
“True. And I did wonder if I needed an agent for the contract.”
“Get him and your lawyer to look at it but unless you have completely unrealistic demands, we’re open to modifying the contract to fit your needs.”
“Is that because we’re sleeping together or because you want me to coach the team?”
“I’d never give you special consideration because we’re having sex, and it’s more than that anyway.”
“It is.” I nod and lean my hip against the counter while she tops up all the mugs. “How much more?”
“Huh?” She glances at me. “What do you mean?”
“How much more do we want to make this now? We’re obviously not hiding our relationship anymore, and I’m about to announce my retirement…” Rubbing a hand over my jaw, I make a mental note to shave. “Should we establish the seriousness of us for the world to see to defuse some of the gossip that’s bound to circulate once the Rogues are announced?”
“How? Us being seen together, you moving in with me isn’t enough?”
“Well…” The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced my line of thought is a good one. “Got time for a quick holiday?”
She’s got her mug halfway to her mouth but stops. Putting it down, she doesn’t take her eyes off me. “You are not thinking what I think, are you?”
I grin. “Depends what you’re thinking I’m thinking.”
“Walker.” My name is a warning, but I see the spark of excitement in her eyes. I know she’s not totally averse to what I’m suggesting.
And I’m not even being clear.
“We can’t,” she adds when I push off the counter.
“Sure, we can.”
“Walker.” She takes a step back.
I follow.
“Walker.” She’s trembling now and I reach for her hand, steady it in mine.
“Oak.”
Her eyes close and I know I have her. When she looks at me again, a smile takes over my face and I lower to one knee.
She sucks in a breath and the fingers of the hand I hold—her left one—curl tightly around mine.
Then I say two words. And they’re more demand than question.
“Marry me.”
Oakley
I’m nodding.
Holy shit.
I’m nodding.
And grinning.
And shit, shit, shit.
I’m in his arms, my mouth on his, and we’re tumbling to the floor.
His hands are under my shirt, mine under his, our mouths eating at each other in a desperate attempt to sate the crazy maelstrom of emotions engulfing us.
“Ah, should I leave?”
We rip apart. Pant like we’ve been starved of oxygen for a week, and stare at each other with grins so wide I’m sure we look like a couple of lunatics.
Hell, at this point I think we are lunatics.
As one we turn our heads to look up at Drake who’s standing at the edge of the kitchen island with a look on his face I can’t decipher. It could be fear.
That thought stretches my mouth wider. He steps back, gives us a quizzical look, and my grin turns into laughter.
“What am I seeing here?”
“You are seeing the happiest man on the planet,” Walker says.
I open my mouth to speak, to say and woman, but I don’t get a chance because one second I’m on the floor wrapped around him and the next I’m on my feet with Walker’s arms around me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder.
“She just agreed to marry me.”
He sounds so happy. Like I’ve given him the thing he wants most in the world, and I’d be lying if I said I don’t feel the joy of what we just decided.
“She what? Jesus Christ, you two are certifiable.” Drake shakes his head. “You know this is crazy, right?”
“Maybe it would be for you, but it doesn’t feel crazy to me, it feels right. Like this is what I’m supposed to be doing.” Walker tightens his arms around me. “Like I’m right where I’m meant to be.”
I absorb his words and lean into him harder. They’re both right. This is crazy but it does feel right.
I’ve always followed my gut. Yes, I’m smart and I use my intellect too, but sometimes that takes a backseat, and every time in my life that it has, that I’ve jumped in feet first, I’ve come out a winner.
Rogue sportswear, going after a national hockey franchise, both faced opposition when we started the process of getting them off the ground. And while the second hasn’t proven itself yet, it will. I know it will.
Walker and I feel the same.
It’s the same bone-deep knowledge that this is right. We’re both exactly where we should be.
Hell, I didn’t even think about it before I was nodding. That says everything.
Shaking his head, Drake reaches for his mug. “All right, let’s get a plan of some sort together before you lovebirds fly away.”
“How do you know we’re flying somewhere?” Walker asks.
“I’m sensing things move at warp speed with you two, so it makes sense that you’d fly to Vegas and do the deed. The question is are you going before or after we deal with the clusterfuck Cantrell has stirred up. Oh, and Oakley, expect a phone call from the league sometime today.”
“Shit.” I untangle myself from Walker. “I don’t need this crap. I wish I could punch Jerry in the face.”
“Get in line,” Drake calls over his shoulder as he heads back to the dining room.
“As much as I want to join in with you bloodthirsty people, I’m going to sit back and watch Laken take a shredder to him.”
I grin. “Oh yeah, and don’t forget Rafe. I get the feeling that man will pulverize anything left over.”
“Hey, maybe you should give Laken or Rafe a heads up. I think the league is unaware of the fact Jerry does not own the Knights. They were talking about fines for him leaking the information to me,” Drake says when we join him.
“How’d he get the info?”
“No idea.”
I ponder that and the only conclusion I can come to is someone inside the league gave it to him.
“I think the league has a leak. No one outside the KAW board, and that’s only four of us, and you two know about the contract I signed two days ago.”
“KAW as in Rogue sportswear’s parent company?” Drake asks.
“Yes.”
“Right. So someone inside told Cantrell and he told me…”
“Who the hell would reveal it to Cantrell?” Walker asks. “Nobody likes him that much do they?”
“No, they don’t and—”
It hits me. Like a slap upside the head the knowledge slams into my brain. I know exactly who got the information and passed it on to Jerry.
“Fuck! Motherfucking slut!”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, where are you going?” Walker tries to hold me in place.
“To open a file. I need to double check my memory is correct before I go all guns blazing after that bitch.”
He lets go of my hand and I race over to my laptop. I already have my phone out, dialing Nat before I even hit a key.
“Hey, I didn’t—”
“Shut up and listen. The info Jerry told Drake I mentioned earlier came from Dugan.”
“Dugan? How do you know that?” Nat asks.
“Because he’s in bed with Kristina.”
“Well fuck.” Nat sighs. “I knew I should have come with you to New York.”
“Get on the first plane you can. If it’s not soon enough, I’ll send the jet. No wait. Call Pa. Get him to fire up the family one.”
“I’m not using your grandfather’s plane!”
“I need it anyway. Don’t worry. I’ll call him next. Just get to the airport.”
“Oakley—”
“Do it, Nat. And bring Blake. I think we’re moving the announcement forward. It’s the only way to get on top of this.”
“Fuck, fuck, fuck. We don’t need this bullshit. We’ll have enough to deal with when the old boys find out we got the team.”
“One battle at a time. Get Blake and get up here.”
“See you in a few hours. And keep me posted on what you’re organizing.”
“Will do.” I don’t bother saying goodbye. I’ve got too much to pull together and Nat knows it.
Once I open up the file I’m looking for, I skim through the report and find the dates I need. I’m noting them, as well as scribbling down possible ways to deal with this as they occur to me and hoping this doesn’t blow up our dreams.
“I hope to fuck those bastards don’t break our contract,” I mutter.
“Get in front of it and they won’t. They can’t anyway. The backlash would be horrendous if they pulled it for something you didn’t do. It would look like they freaked out about your gender. Or we could make it look that way.”
My gaze snaps to Drake’s and a slow smile curls my mouth. “Oh, I really do like you.”
“What do you need me to do?” Walker asks.
“Call Rafe. Let him know what’s going on with Jerry. You can tell him Drake gave you the info; you don’t have to reveal who he said got the team. Just give him the bare bones so he knows the league is going to want to punish the Knights.”
