Page 82 of Eye of the Hurricane
“I was just going to say that he put in a good word for you. He also made it very clear that there was no conflict of interest here.” He laughs. “You’re not in any trouble here. I just wanted you to know that Sebastian Riley is very respected here on the team and a good word from him will go a long way.” I try not to read too much into what he’s telling me. It feels a lot like he’s telling me I’ve got a leg up.
“Oh, okay. Sorry, I guess I’m just a little nervous,” I admit. I shouldn’t be, I’m very familiar with working with the team on PR matters. I’m used to being around the boys as well. This just feels more serious, maybe because this could be the team I’m with for my entire career if all goes well.
This isn’t my first day shadowing with Mateo. It is however the first day shadowing with him that we’ll be working with the team. I follow him out to the ice and the team is skating around, waiting for us.
One of the tallest men on the ice skates by and slows next to me. His gear covers most of him but I do catch piercing blue eyes and scruff on his chin. It does nothing for me but he would drive Luna wild. “Hi, I’m DJ,” he greets, offering me his hand.
“Katherine,” I reply, shaking his hand. His eyes drag down my body, snagging at my hips on the way back up to my lips,notmy eyes.
“Can I give you my number?” he asks.
“I’m here to work,” I tell him. I straighten my posture in an effort to be taken seriously before continuing. “And I have a boyfriend.” The words come out so effortlessly that it has me stunned at myself. Not so much because I said I have a boyfriend to get a man to leave me alone. But because I had a specific man in mind.
Before the conversation has a chance to go any further, I’m saved by the bell. Sebastian Riley being the bell in this case. He intentionally slips his body between me and DJ.
“He’s not bothering you, is he?” he says slinging an arm around me.
“No I’m okay, thank you,” I assure him.
“You and Riley?” DJ asks, looking shocked. I burst out laughing.
“Sebastian is just a friend.” Sebastian is laughing too and DJ looks like we’ve made him feel about two feet tall with our laughter.
“Katherine!” Mateo calls out to me. “Come introduce yourself to the team, please,” he requests. I turn on my heels and make my way over to the larger group. Those who had strayed from the larger group condense in.
“Hi! My name is Katherine Graeves. I’m finishing up my last college course to round out my degree in public relations currently. Mateo has given me the opportunity to shadow him in the following weeks so you’ll be seeing more of me.” Everyone sits quietly and gives me their full attention. It’s refreshing to be listened to so easily without a fight.
“As you all know, I’ll be retiringin the next couple of months. Katherine here will be one of the applicants for the position,” Mateo adds. He clears his throat rather loudly. “It should go without saying but I’ll say it for the sake of being heard. I expect all of you to treat our guest with respect. Do not let me hear any of you are making inappropriate or sexist comments. I won’t tolerate it.”
To be stood up for in a professional environment is a comfort I didn’t expect to find here. It’s just another reason that I want this so bad.
Mom
We’re five minutes out.
My heart feelslike it might beat right out of my chest. I race around the house, meticulously cleaning every corner and surface. If there is one thing left uncleaned, my mother will find it.
Not only will she find it. She will find it, clean it for me, and shame me for it the entire duration of her visit. Which by the way, is my own personal hell.
I double and triple-check the two spare rooms, making sure everything is in pristine shape. One for her and my father, one for my brother, Noah.
I’m hoping I can get away with only bringing Ares around for the wedding. I don’t want to subject him to my parents any more than necessary.
I hate that I have to bring him around them at all. When we agreed to do this I didn’t care about him in the way that Ido now. Now thinking of subjecting him to the things my parents will—no doubt—say rises bile in my throat.
I hear the crunch of gravel under tires and my racing heart somehow picks up pace. In my mother’s usual disregard for privacy and respect, she throws open the door without knocking.
Her bleach blonde hair is perfectly straightened and shiny sitting just above her shoulders. She’s got on enough make-up that you might be able to scrape it off and back into the tube it came from. She’s got on a pink dress and her pearl necklace. As usual, she wears an apathetic look on her face.
“Is this a new rug?” she asks looking down at the welcome mat that Luna bought me. It’s white and blue striped with lemons on it. She said at the time that it reminded her of me.
“Yes, it’s new,” I confirm. She glances at it once more out of the side of her eye.
“It’s… interesting,” she says, disdain evident in her voice. It’s a fucking rug. How can someone show such dislike for a rug.
“It was a gift from Luna,” I tell her. Hoping that maybe since I didn’t buy it or that it was a gift from a friend might encourage her to lighten up.
“Well maybe you should put it away when Luna isn’t here,” she suggests, walking through the kitchen and into the living room. She sets her bags down by the couch.
