Page 45 of Offside Secrets
I stare at the message, my chest tightening again. She’s been thinking about it. About me. And that statement feels so good.
We should talk about it soon. Alone.
We should.
Dad watches me type, that knowing look still on his face.
“Definitely complicated,” he says with a small smile.
“Yeah,” I agree, pocketing my phone. “Definitely.”
But as I head upstairs to get ready for practice, I can’t shake the feeling that complicated might be exactly what I need. The question is whether I’ll still have the chance to figure it out after Thursday night.
CHAPTER 16
SUTTON
My head is pounding with the kind of tension headache that starts behind my eyes and spreads like spilled ink across my skull. I’ve been staring at budget projections for the past hour, trying to make sense of numbers that don’t want to cooperate, when my assistant’s voice crackles through the intercom.
“Sutton? Victor Lawson is here to see you.”
I freeze, my pen halfway to marking a line item. Victor. Here. Without an appointment, without warning, without any reason I can fathom.
“Send him in,” I manage, though every instinct I have is screaming to say I’m in a meeting, that I’ve left for the day, that I’ve spontaneously combusted.
The door swings open and Victor strolls in like he owns the place, all expensive suit and practiced confidence. Some people are different after university. They go out, become adults and their vibe shifts, but not Victor. He’s barely changed since college—same perfectly styled dark hair, same smug smile that used to make my blood pressure spike during debate tournaments. The only difference is the watch on his wrist probably costs more than most people’s cars now.
“Sutton,” he says, settling into the chair across from my desk without being invited. “You look...tired.”
“Victor.” I keep my voice level, professional. “You know, I didn’t need my assistant to announce you. The unmistakable waft of desperation you carry always comes first, letting me know you’re in the area.”
“I’m sure it does, if Burberry was to smell like desperation, that is.” He crosses one leg over the other, entirely too comfortable in my space. “I have some news I thought you should hear directly from me, rather than through industry gossip.”
I set down my pen and lean back in my chair, every nerve ending on high alert. Victor doesn’t make social calls. Considering the last time I saw him was post-makeout with Campbell before he slinked into an elevator, I can only guess he’s on a mission of evil, and it makes me shudder.
If he’s here, it’s because he wants something or because he’s about to drop a bomb that benefits him in some way.
I keep my face neutral. “I’m listening.”
“As you know, the announcement was made today to the press about The Dominion coming to Alexandria next season.” His smile widens, and I can practically see him savoring this moment. “And, something that’s really fun: I’m now a five percent owner of The Dominion.”
The words hit me with the force of a small truck, even though I had seen this coming. All of the whispers at the gala and then him showing up in Harrisburg; it all makes sense now. Of course Victor would find a way to insert himself into my professional life. Of course he’d position himself as competition.
“Congratulations,” I say dryly. “Five percent is quite the...minority position. Do you get to vote on what coffee is served for the monthly board meeting, or maybe you get to decide on the pastries they bring in? Do tell.”
His smile falters just slightly at my emphasis onminority, but he recovers quickly. “It’s a starting position. And it comes with certain privileges. Including input on potential affiliate partnerships.”
My stomach drops. “Affiliate partnerships.”
“That’s right.” Victor leans forward, his eyes glittering with the same predatory gleam I’d see back in the day. Only, that time, the Sterling Media internship wasn’t his to have, only his to lose. “The Alexandria franchise is very interested in establishing a formal affiliation with the Renegades. I’m sure you’re aware that your AHL team is poised to become our primary development partner.”
I keep my expression carefully calm, but inside I’m reeling. Of course I’m “more than aware” an NHL affiliation would be huge for the Renegades—more funding, better resources, a clear path for our players to advance. It’s the kind of opportunity that could transform the entire organization and it’s what we’ve been working on behind the scenes ever since the new team was a rumor. Now that we know it’s a done deal, I’m all for it.
But it also means Victor could now have direct influence over my team.
I could freak out, but I refuse. Instead, I’m gonna play this cool. I lean forward, casually resting my chin in my hand. “And you’re here to tell me this because...?”
“Because I wanted you to know that I’ll be personally involved in the affiliation negotiations your team has been pursuing with Alexandria.”
