Page 154 of Puck Me Secretly

“He said that even if they found out Max was not guilty, it’d be enough to take down his career.”

I rubbed my face with both hands. “Okay. Do you have any proof of this?”

She shook her head.

“Are you willing to testify to this?”

She stole a glance at Calder who reached out and took her hand. “Yes. I’m done with that asshole.”

“Well, that asshole has proxy over the team. He is running the show.”

“I also have one other thing to confess.”

I sighed. “What?”

“Baxter has been using me to take down Max.”

“How?”

Her voice faltered. “He wanted us to put Max in front of the media. He knows how much your Dad values a wholesome image for the team, so he wanted Max to be front and center with his scandal.”

“Anything else?”

“When that reporter attacked him? That was a set up too.”

Anger ticked in my heart. “What was your involvement?”

“It was my job to get Max to that restaurant.”

I sat quiet, thinking. “Why is Baxter so against Max?”

Her voice wobbled. “Your Dad promised Baxter the assistant GM position. Baxter wanted to bring Joseph Flanynk onto the team, but your Dad and him butted heads over that. Baxter couldn’t let it go when your Dad brought Max on. They fought hard over that and then your Dad withdrew his offer to make Baxter an assistant GM.”

I knew this already. What I didn’t know is why he hated Max so much. “Why take it out on Max?”

“Baxter can’t admit when he is wrong. He blamed Max for everything that happened. He thinks he can have the perfect team if he brings Joseph Flanynk in.”

“He has the perfect team already. We’re second in our division.”

“He doesn’t see it like that. He’s obsessed with putting together the team he envisioned and that includes making Joseph Flanynk part of the team.”

“Oh shit.” I shook my head. The worst part about this whole thing was how blind both my parents were to Baxter’s manipulations. “This is bad.”

“I’m sorry. I was only thinking about myself. I thought if Baxter got that position, he’d leave his wife and we could be together.”

Her eyes met mine.

“Katrina, you can do a lot a better than that prick.”

Her laughter was watery. “I know that.” She glanced at Calder. “I figured that out.”

I rubbed my face. “I appreciate you coming and talking to me. That goes a long way in my books.”

Calder rubbed Katrina’s back. “Is your Dad okay?”

“He will make a full recovery but he’s weeks away from returning to work.”

Katrina wiped tears from her eyes. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

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