“How do you think he even found out about the dinner?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady and unaffected. I did not want my father to know that Randall and I weren’t exactly getting along. But I was concerned that he seemed to be keeping tabs on me, and I wanted to know if this was normal behavior for him.
My father sighed as if he wasn’t sure he wanted to say more. But then he leaned forward, his voice quieter than usual. “I’m fairly certain Randall is having an affair with Talia, his assistant. It’s none of my business, and I don’t want to get involved in other people’s private lives. But he appears to be off lately, and maybe he’s just paranoid that people are talking about it.”
“Okay,” I said, studying him because he clearly had more to say.
“I think he gets a lot of information from her. He’s that guy, you know, the kind of guy who likes to have something on everyone around him. So just keep your head down and stay out of his hair.”
“I thought they had the strict rule about the ethics clause in our contracts?” I asked, because it was fairly hypocritical ofRandall to be calling everyone else out when he himself was having an extramarital affair.
“They do. But Randall grew up with Duke Wayburn, who passed the torch down to his son, Wolf, before they passed it to his younger son, Sebastian. So Randall knows he has that friendship in his pocket, which is why I think Sebastian isn’t a big fan of his.” He shrugged. “But keep all of this in the vault. It comes with the territory, Ells Bells. Office politics are not something new. Just be aware, and don’t give him anything to use against you. That’s how I’ve survived all these years.” He chuckled, and my stomach twisted in knots.
Because if he found out about me and Clark, he would most definitely use it against me.
twenty-nine
. . .
Clark
After our nightout at the Lion’s Gate, Eloise definitely felt like part of the team. The guys loved her. I just sat back and let her impress the shit out of everyone.
She was witty as hell, knew as much about hockey as we did, and took no shit.
But now, she was on everyone’s radar.
“Chadwick, are you going to put the good word in with Doc for me?” Adams said, a ridiculous smirk on his face.
I already told them that she was off-limits. I had a feeling they were able to read between the lines, knowing there was more to it than just her being Coach’s daughter. It was obvious we were close, just by the way we interacted.
I rolled up my towel and snapped it against his leg. We just finished practice and showered. “No interoffice fraternizing, dickhead.”
Weston howled in laughter. “Wolf met his wife working here, so that rule is slightly flawed.”
“Didn’t Everly Madden marry Hawk after joining the team?” Drew Parsons, one of the new rookies, asked. He was blending well with the team. So was the other rookie, Scotty Barton.
“I don’t care. You can’t date her,” I said, looking at each of them, letting them know I wasn’t kidding around.
“Awww… man,” Adams said, reaching into his pocket and slapping a twenty-dollar bill in Wizz’s hand. “You were fucking right. He’s a little too protective.”
“Fuck off. We’re friends.” I turned my back to them, pulling my hoodie over my head so I wouldn’t have to look at them.
“Then let’s go out tonight. Andrea has some friends in town, and they want to meet you,” Weston said. Andrea was a woman he’s had an on-and-off relationship with for years.
“Can’t do it tonight. I’ve got plans.”
He smirked. “You’ve had plans every night since you came back from Rosewood River.”
I shook my head. “Just focused on the season.”
“Dude, just know, we’ve got your back. You do your thing, all right?” He clapped me on the shoulder.
“Wait, if they’re just friends, does that mean I can ask her out?” Scotty asked as his lips turned up in the corners. “I’m a rookie. I’m only here for the year unless a miracle happens. I’d switch teams for a girl like Eloise.”
I picked up my dirty socks and threw them in his face as he ran around, laughing like an asshole.
“You’re barely out of high school, Barton. She’s a bit out of your league,” I chuckled.
“I’m kidding! I’m kidding!” He held his hands up. “I just wanted to make sure that twenty dollars was justified. But for the record, the ladies love this baby face.”
