Page 20 of Puck King
Alison stood. “If this isn’t about a physiotherapy job, then I’m going to excuse myself.”
Her composure and ability to look my sister in the eye impressed me. I could tell that she was hurting, but she somehow stood even taller after Everleigh’s ambush into her personal life.
“Before you refuse, let me go over the terms.”
“No, thank you.” Alison began to put on her coat.
Everleigh came out from behind her desk. “It’s a fake engagement. The wedding doesn’t have to happen. You will work for the team and earn a very fair salary for your professional services. Over the next few months, you will be seen in public with Colton and you will become a couple. You will become the woman who tamed the wildest man in hockey, and he will be respected for settling down with a down-to-earth woman. The media circus disappears, and the team pulls up in the rankings, maybe even making the playoffs. After the season is over, you two will come out with a statement saying that you respect each other, but that you’re going in different directions, yada yada.” She spread her arms wide.
Alison paused, zipper in hand, and looked like she was thinking about it. Hell, I was even considering it. The more Everleigh spoke, the more her insane plan started to seem a little less batshit crazy.
“Nope.” Alison zipped up her coat. “I’ll sign that piece of paper. And don’t you worry, I will never utter a word of this ridiculous plan to anyone.” She approached the desk and picked up the pen, but before she could sign, Everleigh slipped another piece of paper on top of the documents.
“This would be your remuneration for the role. Half up front, and half when you two cancel the engagement.”
Alison looked at me and her eyes were wide. I wondered how much of the team’s budget Everleigh had just put in front of her. Alison gulped. “This is for physio and for pretending to be your brother’s girlfriend?”
“No.” Everleigh slipped another page on top. “Thisis your physio contract.”
“What happens after we fake split up?” Alison’s face was pale, but her cheeks were flushed, bringing out a smattering of freckles across her cheeks. “Do I lose my job as a physio?”
Everleigh shook her head. “You two are going to have such a civil breakup, that you can remain on the health team. It’s going to look great for both of you.”
Alison picked up the pen, but didn’t click the ink out.
“Don’t I get a say in this?” I asked.
Alison didn’t look hurt, she looked amused.
“No.” Everleigh’s eyes flashed. “You’ve done enough damage. With Alison in your life, you will be able to focus on one thing and one thing only – hockey.”
“But it’smylife. Is anyone really going to believe that we’re together?” Shit. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sure that you’re a lovely lady. It’s just that you’re not…”
“Dumb?” Everleigh interrupted. “Vapid?” She continued. “Immature?”
Alison looked at me and then at Everleigh. “This amount here,” she pointed to the paper with the end of the pen, “I’ll get this right away?”
“Yes. As soon as the banks open tomorrow, we will transfer the balance to your account.”
Alison took a deep breath. “I will do it. On two conditions.”
Everleigh nodded. “Shoot.”
“One, I would like an assistant of my choosing. And she’s to receive the same physiotherapy salary that I’m receiving.”
Everleigh tilted her head as though she were actually considering the demand. “And what’s two?”
“That I don’t have to have sex with this shallow, vapid, immature man.”
It caught me so off guard, I coughed and laughed. “Deal. You don’t have to worry about that.” I reached out my hand and Alison shook it. “Everleigh, can you put it in the contract that I don’t have to see this woman naked?”
It was my sister’s turn to look exasperated. “This isn’t the start I was hoping for, but at least I don’t have to worry about you two developing feelings for each other.”
“No way in hell,” Alison muttered under her breath. At least it was her that had said it out loud.
Everleigh slid the paper across the desk and Alison signed.
“Good.” Everleigh shuffled the papers. “I’ll email you a copy of the documents and a list of events you’re to attend together, along with suggested behavior for each appearance. And I suggest you two try and make it convincing.” She looked over her glasses at each of us. “If that’s possible.”
