He shook himself. “Sorry. I was just imagining Nate relocating to New York.”
“Lord. We’ll burn that bridge when we get there.” She sighed. “Look, this isn’t how either of us wanted your stint on the show to go. But that’s not your fault. If you ever need a character reference, or if you see a broadcasting job you think a word from me would help you land, drop me a line, yeah?”
Aubrey blinked. “Seriously? After my first day on the job?”
“Believe me, no one’s more surprised about this than I am. I don’t know what was going on with you that day, but it obviously wasn’t representative of who you are. We’re going to miss you. Especially Nate, weirdly enough.”
For the first time that day, Aubrey had the impulse to smile and mean it. Without the show, he and Nate had no reason to hide their relationship. Maybe something good could come of this after all.
Assuming the idea of him and Nate lasted through the collapse of their jobs together and a potential long-distance relationship, of course.
“Thanks,” he managed. “I’ll miss you too.”
NATE THOUGHThe had prepared himself for the worst right up until the moment he stepped off the elevator on Jess’s floor and saw her saying goodbye to Aubrey outside her office.
He didn’t want to believe it. But he knew Aubrey well enough, and he knew to look for the cocksure stance, the smirk always hiding around the corner of his mouth. They were missing.
His heart sank.
Aubrey and Jess turned and saw him at the same time. Jess had a decent poker face after thirty years in showbiz, and Aubrey normally did a passable job. But before he could school his features, Nate cataloged the defeat in his eyes, the slump of his shoulders. He even had his hands in his pockets. Aubrey never did that.
He must be trying to keep from a reflexive crossing of his arms—a classic defensive posture.
For the second time in two years, the ground beneath Nate’s feet felt like it had shifted, leaving him off-balance and unsure.
Nate was starting to hate not knowing where he stood.
“Tell me you’re kidding,” he said heavily before he could stop himself.
It wasn’t fair. He’d dealt with John for almost three years. Aubrey had been a breath of fresh air. Aubrey had made him really love his job again in a way he hadn’t since he left the ice.
Jess took a step forward. “Nate—”
His feet wanted to go backward—back into the elevator, down to the ground floor, out into a Lyft. Home where he could pretend this wasn’t happening. Thank God he still had some pride left. He held his ground. “The show is doing the best it’s ever done!”
“I know,” Jess said.
“Because Aubrey is perfect for this job!” He knew about hockey, sure. But in reality, the cohost’s job was to act as a foil for Nate, help the audience learn who he was. They humanized each other—humanized the game. “I just got him broken in.”
“I know,” Jess repeated gently. “It wasn’t my decision. I’m sorry, Nate.”
Fucksorry.Nate had never had much of a temper. Even when he was on the ice, even in the highest-stakes games, he generally kept a cool head. But his blood was boiling now. “They can’t do that.” The words came out hot and venomous.
Jess did a double take, but she recovered quickly. “Didn’t think you’d feel so strongly about it, but yeah, they can do whatever they want.”
“It’s in my contract,” Aubrey explained quietly.
Damn it.“But why? Why would they?” Except Nate knew why. Jess knew too. “Right,” he said acidly. “That’s the bonus of having two gay hosts, I guess. You can fire one and still claim it’s not discrimination.”
“Kindly watch your tone and your insinuations when you’re standing in the middle of the hallway.” The flush across Jess’s cheeks let him know his anger was contagious. She didn’t like this any more than he did, but the steel in her voice made it clear she wasn’t going to let him steamroll her either. “This is a little bigger than just Aubrey. Those shows over Thanksgiving, those were part of the test phase. New format. New cohost.”
Oh Jesus. “Who in their right mind would rather watch Paul than Aubrey?”
“Nate.” Aubrey put a hand on his arm.
Jess’s eyebrows hit her hairline.
Motherfucker. Nate gritted his teeth. Aubrey’s hand dropped to his side.
