If You Need Me: Chapter 45

Ismile, and everything below the waist tightens in the best way possible. It’s hard to believe a handful of months ago I was hell-bent on making Dallas’s life as miserable as possible.

I bite my lip as I compose the next message.

Sex with Dallas is an adventure I never want to end. He’s all-in—one-hundred-and-ten percent, one-hundred-and-ten percent of the time.

I slide my phone into my pocket and fan my face. This probably wasn’t the best conversation to have right before a meeting with upper management, but at least I have something to look forward to after the Watering Hole. Today has been all about the scramble with Connor Grace and Alexandria Forrester joining the team and Spencer having left for New York.

Communications has fed out the trade, and I’ve been tasked with liaising with New York’s director of PR so we can make this transition as smooth as possible. I anticipate that this meeting has to do with the trade, so I’m surprised to find Fielding and Vander Zee sitting at the conference table alone. Normally their personal assistants attend to take notes.

“Is everything okay?” I ask as I slide into the chair across from them, my palms suddenly clammy.

“Yes, this is an information meeting only, no fires to put out yet,” Fielding assures me.

I rap on the table. “Knock on wood.”

They chuckle.

Jamie leans back in his chair. “We wanted to talk to you before we share the news with the rest of the team. We performed an internal review, and Topher Guy has been let go.”

“I’m sorry, what?” I look between them, my shock impossible to hide.

“Topher is no longer working for the league. We’ve been building a case for a while. We’re aware of his unprofessional conduct, and its escalation in recent months. I know you didn’t come to us directly with this issue, and that you’re very capable of handling yourself. You’re used to managing problems. But you’re a valued member of the team, and the reports regarding his unfair treatment and lack of cooperation were not something we could allow to continue. We hired you because you’re smart, effective, and you don’t deal in bullshit. We want you to be able to do your job.”

“Who’s taking his place?”

“We’re looking at internal movement, and Odette in Office Operations is at the top of our list.”

I nod. “She would be fantastic in that role.”

“We think so, too.”

First Alexandria Forrester and now this. Two more women in administrative roles inside the Terror is a huge win. Sure, it will be a little hectic with so much change at the beginning of the season, but there’s so much potential.

After the meeting, I head down the hall to my office, feeling lighter. I stop in to formally introduce myself to Alexandria.

She pushes her chair back and rises, a warm smile on her face. “Hi. Hemi, right?”

“That’s right. I wanted to pop in and welcome you to the team. Looks like you’re getting settled.” There are boxes in the corner, but she’s already put art on the walls.

“I am,” she agrees. “Everyone has been welcoming so far.”

“The team is fantastic, and the head office is super supportive,” I assure her. The one who wasn’t is no longer working here, which is a huge bonus for all of us.

She nods. “I’ve heard great things. I’m looking forward to working with you and Shilpa. I really love what you’re doing with the women’s team.”

“That’s been such a passion project for me.”

“Well, it’s incredible. And last year’s gala was out of this world with the money you raised for all those charities.”

“I couldn’t have done it without Hammer’s help. She’s my right hand.”

“Hammer?” I can see questions in her eyes.

“As in Aurora Hammerstein. The team calls her Hammer. She works with me in PR.”

Alexandria nods slowly. “Right. Okay.”

“She was in the meeting this morning, but you were probably overwhelmed with all the people. She’s out at a promo op with her dad, but she’ll be in tomorrow. I’ll introduce you.”

She looks like she might say something else, but then she smooths her hands over her hips. “I would love that.”

“Some of us are heading to a local pub after work, if you want to join us. I could actually introduce you to Hammer, since she’ll be there and so will Shilpa, plus a handful of the players, if you want to meet them in a more relaxed environment.”

“Thanks so much for thinking of me. Can I take a raincheck? There’s a lot to learn, and I’m just getting my head around things. Plus, I still have some unpacking to do.” She motions to the boxes.

“Absolutely. Maybe next week would be better.”

“That would be great.”

I leave her to it and return to my office. My mood is buoyant and my relief is overwhelming. Topher was toxic to the culture, and while he wasn’t the only person who made things difficult here, he was certainly the loudest and the worst of them. Knowing I don’t have to deal with him anymore is a weight lifted.

Shilpa pokes her head in at ten after five, glancing over her shoulder and lowering her voice. “I hear a celebration is in order.”

“What are we celebrating?” Dallas asks, appearing out of nowhere.

“You’re early.”

“Honey, my sweetness.” He skirts around Shilpa with a quiet sorry. “Of course I’m early, I haven’t seen you in six hours. It’s too long. I need a fix.”

“How are you going to deal when you have away games?” I tip my head up to accept a kiss.

“Video call you relentlessly. And I might have already ordered a body pillow in your likeness.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Totally kidding.” He shakes his head. “Anyway, what are we celebrating? Other than you being the badassiest badass.”

“Topher got fired,” Shilpa replies.

“Hallelujah. It’s about damn time. That guy is a super dick. Like the most saggy dick of all dicks. That absolutely is a reason to celebrate.’

My phone buzzes on my desk. I have a message from Shilpa. I look up to find her no longer standing in the doorway. “I agree. I can handle a lot of bullshit, but his was next level. Still, I hope there isn’t backlash.”

He takes my hand in his. “This is your team, and the Terror is your family. It’s why you’re still here and he’s not. He was the problem, not you.”

“I know. And I’m not sad he’s gone. I just feel…I don’t know…like I don’t want to give anyone another reason to hate me.” Which I realize is a stupid thing to be worried about, but I’ve spent so much time being the person people talk shit about, it’s hard not to fall right back into the crap.

“Topher was a jerk and he inspired other people to be jerks. He was a bully, and he needed to go. He’s an example that needed to be set a long-ass time ago, and hopefully people will learn how to behave now that he’s gone. And I hope like hell he learns something from it, too. It’s doubtful though since he’s a narrow-minded prick. Now repeat after me: I’m a badass.”

I give him a look.

“Say it.”

“I’m a badass.”

“Like you mean it.”

I bite my lips together.

He arches a brow.

“I’m a badass,” I say with absolute authority.

“That’s my girl. I love you. Endlessly.” He kisses the end of my nose and cups my face in his palms, slanting his mouth over mine in a sweet kiss. He doesn’t deepen it though, likely because we’re in the office and my door is still partly open.

“You are the definition of the perfect boyfriend,” I say. “And I love you, too.”

“Only took me a decade to earn that title. You ready to go? Shilps and Ash and the rest of them are already there.”

“I’m ready.”

Dallas shoulders my purse while I shut my computer down and pick up my phone. I frown at the new alert.

“What’s wrong?”

“Brooklyn posted in the reunion group and whatever it is, everyone is commenting.”

“Oh yeah. I saw that earlier.” Dallas rubs his bottom lip.

“Is it concerning?” I ask, suddenly nervous.

“For us? No. Brooklyn called her wedding off. I guess she caught Sean cheating and thought the reunion group was the best place to share that.” Dallas tips his head, like he’s gauging my response.

“That’s awful.” She wasn’t a good friend to me, but I still won’t wish her ill will.

“It is. But I don’t know that broadcasting it will make her feel better.” He tips my chin up. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I am. And so thankful that I have you.”

He brushes his lips over mine. “I feel the same way.”

He threads his fingers through mine and we leave the office and walk to the Watering Hole to meet our friends. When we arrive, Hammer, Shilps, Rix, Tally, Essie, and Dred are already at a table with Tristan, Nate, Flip, Hollis, Roman, and Ash.

“You gonna tell us what the deal is with you and Grace now that’s he on our team?” Roman asks.

“Nope.” Flip slurps his Coke.

Dallas shrugs. “Some guys don’t get along with each other.”

“He was a douche back then, and he’s still a douche now. If this is what we’re talking about, I’m going home,” Flip grumbles.

“Tally, how’s university life treating you?” I ask.

“Good.” Her lips pull to the side. “It’s different. I keep getting asked out by the guys on the hockey team, though.” She rolls her eyes. “It’s annoying.”

“Stay away from those guys. They’re a bunch of walking hard-ons,” Flip mutters.

“People who live in glass houses…” Dred counters.

Tally snorts an indelicate laugh. “I’m eighteen, surrounded by eighteen-year-olds. It’s a giant pool of hormones.”

“Facts,” Tristan agrees.

“I’m getting something stronger.” Flip slides out of his chair and heads for the bar.

Rix turns back to Tally. “Make good choices.”

“Oh, I will. I’m not stupid.” Tally rolls her eyes. “I know they want to date my last name, not me.”

“I’ve been there,” Hammer says.

“Same,” Rix adds.

“And you two are both with hockey players now, so is that my destiny?” Tally asks.

She’s all snark these days, like real life is hitting her hard. University is good for her, but it’s a lot of change, and she’s been insulated in this world for a long time.

We stay for dinner and hang out with our friends for a while before Dallas takes me back to his place, gets me naked, and worships every inch of me.

I’ve never felt so wanted. So needed.

So loved.