Page 83 of Hot Stuff
They have their heads together whispering and I glance over to see Rodney Dugan and Boris Mortimer frowning at them.
My spine stiffens and I’m on the verge of moving over to the men when Oakley looks in my direction. Sending me a wink, she smiles and turns. With her shoulders back and head up, she moves toward the two men.
They speak for a few seconds then all four women follow them to the microphone perched on a podium. It kind of reminds me of a White House press conferences and I smile when I think of Oakley in that place.
She’d raise hell, kick ass, and take names if she ever decided to go into politics.
“Evening, everyone. Thanks for joining us on short notice,” Dugan says into the microphone. “We’ll keep things short and sweet so you can all get home to your families and dinner plans.”
“Is there?—”
Dugan holds up a hand. “Please, we’ve prepared a statement. If you can keep your questions until later. Thanks.”
Taking a breath, the man tugs at the cuffs of his shirt, and from here I can see the sweat beading on his forehead.
“We had planned this to be a little more celebratory but as information has found its way out to the public, we’ll have to go without what we had in mind.”
He glances at the four women behind him, his smile apologetic.
Facing front again he leans closer to the mic and says, “It’s with great pleasure that we announce the winning bid for the National Hockey League’s expansion franchise. KAW, the parent company of the globally successful Rogue sportswear brand, is the proud owner of the league’s newest hockey team.”
He takes a breath while numerous reporters yell out questions. Ignoring all of them, he continues with what I’m assuming is the speech Natalie gave him.
“We’re excited to expand our reach south, and I’ll step aside and let KAW CEO, Oakley James, give you the details of the new team.”
Stepping forward, Oakley moves into Dugan’s position. “Thank you, Rodney.”
I can’t help smiling at the use of his first name. Most of the owners and GMs call the league executives by their first names and I’m thrilled she’s not shying away from doing it just because she doesn’t have a penis.
“As Rodney said, two days ago, KAW was awarded the league’s expansion franchise. It won’t come as a surprise when I tell you the new team will be the Rogues, but you might not feel the same when I say the team will be based in Baton Rouge in a seven hundred million dollar arena and training facility.”
The questions drown out anything else she says and there are a few reporters on their feet now. I have to admire her as she patiently waits out the furor.
Once the noise dies down, she looks around the room before speaking again.
“We’re thrilled and excited and looking forward to joining the central division the season after next.”
“Who’s the coach?” someone shouts from the back of the room.
“We’re not announcing staffing or players at this time. We’ll be sure to let you know when we are.”
“When will the arena be ready?” someone else calls out.
“We will be making more announcements in the coming weeks. Until then you can direct any inquiries to the Rogues website.”
Shit. We’ve got a website? I’m pulling my phone from my pocket to look it up when some yells her name.
Glancing up I see everyone heading my way. Looks like the conference is over.
“Oakley!” Her name is shouted again. “You owe us answers!”
I can’t see who called out the demand disguised as a question, but I know the second she decides to respond to it.
She stops, frozen in place for a second while everyone else continues toward me.
Turning slowly on her heel, Oakley leaves everyone behind and moves back in front of the mic.
Standing tall, her gaze scans the room before stopping near the back on someone I can’t see. “I owe you answers?” she asks, her voice portraying confusion when I know she’s anything but.
