Page 71 of Hot Stuff
He’s right, we can’t hang around the building’s foyer talking about this. “C’mon.”
The quiet in the elevator is not a comfortable one. I can’t come up with any words to ease it either. And a quick glance at Oakley shows me she’s not going to make the effort.
Her mouth is set, her eyes focused, and I imagine the wheels in her head are spinning.
She’s a talented businesswoman, there’s no denying that, not with the success of Rogue and now the signing of a national sports franchise.
If anyone can navigate the turbulent waters to come, it’s her. That’s why I’ll follow her lead. Professionally and personally.
I’m all in, after all.
I get the front door open and motion her and Drake in ahead of me.
Oakley is already striding toward the dining room. “I’ll get my laptop set up for the call to…” She looks over her shoulder at Drake. “Nat and Blake,” she finishes.
I know what she’s doing. She’s not about to confirm the rumor, at least not until she’s spoken to her partners. She rarely mentions their fourth, Cami, because she’s not part of the everyday decisions.
In fact, I think Cami is a journalist. Which may work in our favor if we can use her in any way to steer the media frenzy.
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me you were seeing Oakley James?” Drake hisses in my ear.
I give him a narrow-eyed look. “Careful with that tone.”
His eyes widen and he takes a step back. “Wow. Okay. You’ve never used that look on me before. I’ve seen it, on the ice, in interviews, but never looked into it straight on.”
He shakes his head and takes a step in the direction Oakley went. I don’t bother saying anything because my teeth are still clenched tight on the anger that burst inside me at the sound of his voice.
“I’m going to make a quick call in the bedroom.” Oakley walks toward me, phone in hand. “Can you put some coffee on?”
Her question is aimed at me but it’s Drake who answers.
“I’ll get it.”
She arches an eyebrow and waits for him to be out of earshot before speaking. “Do you want in on the call?”
“To Nat and Blake? Why would I?”
“Because you might not have signed a contract, but you’re part of the team now. A major part and I think as this is going to affect you, we should include you in the discussions and decisions on how to handle whatever the hell is about to blow up in our faces.”
“No. I trust you to make the right decisions. Just let me know what they are.” And I do trust her. Completely.
She smiles at me and pushes to her toes to lay a far too quick kiss on me. “Back in a bit.”
She’s gone before I can grab her and kiss her properly. The urge to follow is strong but I know we don’t have time for that now. Besides, if I follow her into the bedroom, we’re not coming out for a while.
A while we don’t have.
Especially with my agent in my damn kitchen.
Sighing, I scrub a hand over my face and head in Drake’s direction.
“Where’d you hear the rumor?” I ask without preamble.
“Cantrell.”
“Jerry?” What the fuck?
“He was on the other end of my phone about thirty minutes ago. Told me he was suing the pants off us both because he knows you’ve signed to play with the new franchise that hasn’t been announced yet.”
