I lean back, hoping I’ve judged her right and she’ll correct me.
Her grip on her drink tightens as she takes another sip. “No, I’m more than a secretary. I handle the hockey team’s finances and all of their perks.”
I frown. “Perks?”
She glances around. “Yeah, you know how these top-college athletes are.”
My gaze follows hers around the room, ensuring no one is near enough to hear us. “I don’t, actually. I never hung out with that crowd.”
The lies keep coming; being on the varsity football team at Fallwell High put me right in with this kind of crowd. If the kids on the hockey team act half as entitled as the football team did, I shouldn’t be surprised there are perks of some kind.
Her eyes light up, and she leans forward, so I do the same.
“Our hockey players are young, sexy athletes, and I don’t know if this is because they grew up being told they were the best or what, but they all think they can demand anything, and it will be delivered to them.Anything.It doesn’t help that Sam gets them whatever they want. He says offering these perks is the only way to recruit players to our school.”
“Being a national championship winner isn’t enough?”
Margaret rolls her eyes. “Well, now that the team has won a few times, it helps, but no, it isn’t enough. Anything those boys want, they get if you know what I mean.” She winks at me.
“Actually, I don’t, but I’m guessing whatever these perks are, they are expensive?”
“They are,” she nods.
“How would you even pay for expensive perks? Selling T-shirts?”
I know damn well they aren’t selling T-shirts, but I’m hoping to keep her talking.
She finishes her wine as a server walks by. “Would you like another drink?”
Margaret glances at me as if checking to make sure I agree. I nod. “Yes, another cabernet please.”
“Sure.” The server takes her old glass and leaves.
Margaret scoffs. “There is no way they could make the kind of money they need selling T-shirts. No, it all started when Mr. Gardiner began contributing to the cause.”
“The cause?”
Her eyes widen. “Yes, Sam’s cause. It’s what I call it. His goal was to build the best college men’s hockey team, and he did just that. Do you know he turned the program around in five years?”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Well, he did, and he tells me that every day at least once.”
“And what does Sam do with Mr. Gardiner’s money?”
She sucks in her bottom lip. “I probably shouldn’t say.”
I grin. “It’s okay. I’m just curious.”
“Okay, I’m not saying I agree with it, but Sam makes sure—”
“Mags, I’m not serving you another drink.” The bartender is now standing next to her, his hands on his hips, glaring at me.
“Skip, don’t do this.”
I stick out my hand. “Hello. I’m Cody.”
The guy stares at my hand. “I don’t care. I’m her brother, and I’m tired of seeing her bring men in here, get drunk, and then leave with them. It stops now.”
