Page 73 of Timelessly Ours

I hate that he has a point.

Jeffrey isn’t one to sit around and chat—especially if he’s got his doubts about someone. But if I can have a few minutes with the guy, I can convince him that the team just needs time and motivation. That they’ll—no—we’ll get out of this rut and get back on track.

And that I have no intention of stepping down. Not before I prove what this team can do.

I swipe a hand across my face. “Not a bad idea.”

He watches me carefully and takes his hand off the handle. “Talked to Claire the other day.”

I grunt. “Weren’t you just leaving?”

“She’d make a great choice. She works at the magazine. She used to be the face of the team. And she’s one hell of a conversationalist.”

“I’d rather cut off my arm than walk into a room with that woman on it,” I mutter.

“Your ex-wife filled me in on the disaster you’ve got goin’ on at home. An ex-con as your nanny? Really?”

I want to throw him against the wall. And I could. It would be easy. It would cost me my job—but it would be worth it.

“Her name is Nicole, and she was never a convict. Claire is being dramatic.”

“I’m very much aware of her name. Everyone in this goddamn town is aware of her name and her reputation. Wasn’t she just released from rehab?”

“That was two years ago and she’s—” The lie gets caught in my throat until it no longer feels like one. “She’s good now.”

Grove waves a hand like it’s just semantics. I know he doesn’t care about the human behind who we’re discussing. His only concern is keeping me in my position. And that means no filling the media up with extra fuel. “Fine. But you won’t convince the organization or our local fans of that. Just keep her—hidden—at least until this whole thing with Hastings blows over and the Blades are back on track.”

Keep her hidden?

I glare at him. “She’s my daughter's nanny. She’s expected to come to certain games as well as events I choose to bring Rory to. And are you forgetting she’s the team captain’s sister?”

He watches me as if I’m saying one thing, but he hears something entirely different. “Look, I’m not judging what you do behind closed doors. But if people hear you’re involved with Nicole Kane while the team is on a losing streak, your credibility is toast.”

“I need to get back to work. Can we catch up later?” It’s my way of telling him to get out and he knows it.

It’s after four o’clock when I get a phone call from a number I don’t recognize. But the caller ID shows the area code is from town.

“Coach Collins,” I say into the phone.

“Mr. Collins. I’m so glad we’ve reached you. This is Ms. Adams from Hammock Academy.”

Rory’s school.

“Oh, Ms. Adams, is everything alright?” My chest tightens.

“Rory is alright. Ms. Kane picked her up a little while ago.” Her voice is tentative, and I wish she would just get to the point of the call.

“There was an incident this afternoon,” she starts slowly. “Rory was playing in the yard with some children and the parents usually wait outside the fence until our staff brings each child out.”

“Yes, I know how dismissal works, Ms. Adams.”

“Well…and I’m not sure what happened. You see, I wasn’t there, but apparently, there was some commotion and Ms. Kane jumped the fence, marched up to the children playing in the yard, and instructed Rory to push another child into the mulch.”

I drop my head in my hand, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“Mr. Collins?”

“Yes, yes. So, you say you weren’t there?” I ask calmly.

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