Page 10 of Eye of the Hurricane
“So I just need to work on adding emotion into my work?” I ask, voice beaming with hope.
“Yes. Other than that, your work is great. Once you work on some new pieces, with emotion in mind, let’s meet again?” she asks.
“Yes ma’am. I’ll email you, if that’s alright.”
“That’s perfect. And Ares?”
I meet her eyes, a familiar glint of knowing and cheekiness running through them. “Preferably new pieces for you, not just a grade?”
I toss her a sheepish smile as she scrunches her nose and nods once more, raising a hand to shoo me from her chair. “Good luck! Enjoy the rest of summer.”
Chapter 3
Katherine
There isnothing quite as bold and in your face as the smell of a college men’s locker room. Unfortunately for me, that locker room is attached to the two offices I spend most of my time in. Coach Black’s and Jacob’s.
Currently, I’m in Jacob’s office reading over the job requirements for the PR manager position with the South Carolina Sea Dragons. To my surprise, I meet every criterion. I’m fully eligible for the position.
For the first time in my entire life, the stars I’ve been reaching for scare me. The dreams I refused to shrink, no matter who told me to, seem too big and too hard now. Maybe because they’re within reach all of a sudden.
“I meet every criteria,” I murmur. I expect the words to sound happier than they come out of my mouth. I think Jacob does, too, by the tilt of his head and the clear confusion on his face.
“That’s good news, right?”
“Yeah. Sorry, just felt like my whole life flashed in front of my eyes.”
“You’ve got this. We’ve got a few months still to prep, they’re not posting the job for a while now. I’m getting inside updates for you.”
“I know, and I appreciate it. I still want it, more than anything. This is just the first time I’ve ever felt scared about the future.”
“You’ve been taking baby steps, working your way up the ladder. Now this is a leap. Being scared is normal, but do it anyway,” he encourages me.
“Oh trust me, there is no backing out now,” I say with a laugh.
“Good. I really think you’re right for this. You’re going to have to be ready to work for it, though. You won’t be the only one who meets all the criteria. You might not even be the one who’s the most qualified on paper. If you can go in there and wow them, Katherine, I think the job can be yours.”
I knew going into this it would not be easy. There will be people far more qualified going for the job. All I can hope is that the PR team at the Sea Dragons see whatever the hell it is that Jacob sees in me. He’s been pushing me in this direction for a couple of years now. The only person dreaming bigger for me than me, is him.
“So, what do the next couple of months look like?” I ask. A big smile stretches across his face.
“I’m glad you asked. They won’t be interviewing until October, so the next couple of weeks, I want you shadowing heavier. As much as possible, ideally. If I’m in office, so are you. Nothing is in stone yet, but I’m pushing for them to let you shadow over there after that. You’ve done all of the college courses, but I want you taking any online courses or seminars you can find, okay? Nail down your last professionaldevelopment requirements, then the last couple of weeks before interviews will be interview prep.”
Call me crazy, but this feels better than the lax schedule I’ve been working with. Filling my schedule and working hard is always how I’ve dealt with a big and daunting future. Things don’t feel so scary if I know I’m doing everything I can to make them work out.
“That sounds great. If you think of anything else I can be doing, let me know,” I say, standing from my chair to head out.
“Katherine? One more thing,” he calls out to me. I pause, giving him my full attention. “I need you to promise me you’re going to make time for yourself outside of work. This is going to be a lot. You’ll burn out quickly if you’re not making time for rest and enjoying things.”
The extra hours and seminars are beyond easy. This, on the other hand, I may struggle with. I have a bad habit of leaving room for nothing but my plans and my future. I can’t imagine leaving room for fun at a time like this.
“I won’t burn out, promise.” I purposely avoid the other parts of what he said. He knows it, too, because he presses his lips into a firm line and tilts his head at me.
“Katherine. I’m serious. You will rest. Have fun. Spend time with your friends and family. Or I will not work with you. I will not enable you working yourself into the ground.” Jacob spells out his terms, leaving no room for misinterpretation. This might be the first time I’ve ever heard him get stern with me.
“Okay, yes. I promise. Rest, fun, friends,” I echo.
I pullopen the refrigerator and reach for the 2000 Provence Rosè. I pop open the cabinet above me and pull out a wine glass, filling it higher than they’re meant to be.
