Page 111 of Racking Up Penalties
“Tyler,” Ethan’s voice is ice, his protective streak flaring hot and fast. But I place a calming hand on his forearm, feeling the coiled tension beneath his skin.
“Let it go,” I murmur, locking eyes with Ethan, willing him to understand that Tyler isn’t worth the fight. Not tonight.
“Hey, what was that about?” Tristan starts, concern etching his brow, but the sharp trill of my phone cuts through the brewing confrontation.
“Sorry, one sec,” I say, my heart skipping erratically as I pull the phone from my pocket.
The caller ID says it’s my investor, Jordan’s, office calling.
My hand trembles as I bring the phone to my ear, the anticipation churning like a wild current within me. “Hello, Tessa Montgomery speaking.”
“Ms. Montgomery, this is Janet from Mr. Jordan’s office,” a clipped voice responds, and instantly, my stomach tightens. Her voice doesn’t sound pleasant.
“Janet! Hi, what can I do for you?” My voice pitches higher with nerves. Why would my investor’s secretary be calling now?
“Ms. Montgomery, we’ve received some concerning reports about… certain activities. It’s led to an urgent reassessment of our involvement with your brand.” Janet’s voice is cold, impersonal, and my pulse hammers in my ears.
“Concerning reports? What kind of activities?” The words come out in a rush, confusion swirling through my mind like a thick fog. I glance at the guys, their faces now etched with worry.
“Disgusting behavior unbecoming of a partnership we’d want to maintain. It’s not the image our company endorses.” She sounds almost robotic, devoid of any warmth or understanding.
“Disgusting behavior?” My heart races, my thoughts a jumbled mess. “I don’t understand. Can you please explain what you’re referring to?”
“I’m afraid I can’t disclose specifics, Ms. Montgomery. But under these circumstances, we must reconsider our association.” Janet’s tone suggests that she’s relaying a message she’s delivered many times before, detached from the havoc it wreaks on the other end of the line.
“But—”
“Good day, Ms. Montgomery.” And with that, she disconnects.
The phone slips slightly in my grasp, the screen a blurry pool of light against the growing darkness of my situation. Disgusting behavior? Me? Panic coils tightly around my chest, squeezing until it’s hard to breathe. What could they possibly have heard? And who would say such things about me?
“Hey, Tess, what happened?” Ethan’s voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts, pulling me back to the present. All I can do is shake my head, the confusion too dense to translate into words.
My fingers tremble as I redial the number, each ring echoing in my chest like a drumbeat of impending doom. “Please,” I whisper into the phone when Janet finally picks up again. “There must be some mistake. Can’t you tell me what’s going on?”
“Ms. Montgomery,” Janet replies, her voice still devoid of empathy, “there is no mistake. The decision is final.”
“But why?” My voice cracks, betraying the mounting terror that threatens to consume me. “What have I done that’s so…disgusting?”
“I’m not at liberty to say.” Her words are like icicles, cold and sharp. “The investor has made their stance clear.”
“Clear?” A bitter laugh escapes my lips, but it quickly dissolves into desperation. “How is any of this clear? You’re taking away everything I’ve worked for based on rumors—”
“Rumors can be powerful things, Ms. Montgomery,” she cuts me off with chilling finality.
“Janet, please.” I clutch the phone tighter, fighting to keep my voice steady. “This is my future we’re talking about. My dreams. You can’t just—”
“Ms. Montgomery,” she interrupts, and I can almost hear the shrug in her voice, “perhaps you should discuss this with Michael Matthews. He seems to have quite an influence over our investor.”
“Michael?” The name sends a jolt through me, and suddenly, Ethan’s face swims into my vision, his brown eyes filled with concern. “Ethan’s dad? What does he have to do with this?”
“Mr. Matthews and Mr. Jordan are old friends,” Janet explains, and with each word, the pieces fall into place, forming a picture so ugly I want to close my eyes against it. “He expressed concerns about your…relationship.”
“Relationship?” I can hardly get the word out, my throat tightening around it.
“Ms. Montgomery, I’ve said all I can. Good day.” And the line goes dead again, leaving me in a silence so profound I can hear my heartbeat, loud and accusing.
An icy dread settles in my stomach as I slowly lower the phone. Michael told them about us, about my relationship with the guys. The implications spin in my head, each one more terrifying than the last. How could he ruin my chances with a single phone call?
