by Bianca Vix
“We can’t be involved. None of us. We need the association as our client. The future of NovaTeam depends on a deal with a client like this one. We’ve put far too many resources into it for everything to fall through now. We can’t afford to lose the association. That would leave us way too over-extended.”
Rob’s mouth twists up. “Are you breaking up with us? Because our potential client might catch us doing something they don’t like?”
“Yes.” I try ignore the way my heart clenches. “That’s what I’m doing. There’s no way you and I can be together now. Two men? And in a threesome? Yeah, no. And Melissa, you know we’re breaking our own policy to be with you too. That can’t go on either.”
“I know.” Her voice is soft with sadness, even though she doesn’t sound surprised. “This is isn’t what I want. Not at all. We have something great here, all three of us. Something unique and special. But I get it, James. There’s nothing more important to you than making this deal happen.”
I blink. That makes me sound terrible. “There’s no-one in the world I’d rather be with than both of you. But we need this client. The cost of us being in a relationship is just too high.”
She bites at her lower lip. “I understand. I don’t like it one bit, but I understand. You don’t need to explain it to me.”
Melissa’s right. Rob’s the one who needs things made clear. He’s glaring at me like he’s as pissed off with me as I am with him.
“So you’re breaking us up? Just like that?”
This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, and he’s blowing it off? My jaw tightens. “Not just like that. I was all in with us. Unlike you. Or are you just mad that you aren’t the one who got to end things?”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Oh, come on, Rob. You’re the one who always leaves. The one who does the dumping. Face it. You’re just upset that I beat you to it.”
He’s silent. He can’t argue with me, and he knows it. I haven’t said anything that’s not true.
“You’ve got me all figured out, huh. Aren’t you forgetting that this whole threesome thing was my idea?”
“So what? Doesn’t mean you weren’t planning on leaving us all along.”
“Is that what you think?” Rob turns to face Melissa. “What about you?”
“I wanted us to work out. More than anything else I’ve ever wanted. But you can’t deny your history, Rob. You move from one woman to the next so fast and I can’t say that I didn’t wonder about it too. About when you’d be moving on from us too.”
Rob looks stricken. “Then I guess you’re right, James. We should end this thing right now. Not worth keeping up, is it, if I’m just going to leave anyway.”
He stalks off. I give Melissa’s arm a light squeeze. “Are you okay with this?”
She shakes her head. “No. We have a good thing here. Not keeping it going isn’t right. But you’re right, James. We can’t. We’ll all just have to go back to the way things were. I’m not okay with it, but it’s how it has to be.”
“Right.”
She heads off too. I pace around the lobby for a few minutes. Breaking up is the right thing to do.
No matter how wrong it feels.
Chapter 22
James
It’s here. The night of our big event. The one that will finally seal our biggest deal ever. I was looking forward to it for so long. But now that it’s here, I’ll just be happy once it’s over.
Everything’s been so tense at the office since we broke up. There’s a reason we have that fucking policy about no dating. This is why. Rob and Melissa and I have been tiptoeing around each other and that’s no way to get things done. In spite of everything, at least we’ve managed to keep it together and get the work done for the most part. But as much as I used to really like going to work everyday, that’s how much I’ve come to dread it lately.
Folding my hands in front of me, I look around for about the tenth time. The entire ballroom is looking great. Everyone’s done a spectacular job pulling this event together. Especially Melissa.
I had no doubt she would, of course. I’d seen all the plans and mockups already. But it’s something else entirely to see everything come together for real, all ready to go. The walls are covered with gigantic action shots of major players from all the teams we’ve worked with. Every single table is done up in different team colors. Everything’s meant to be working together to make an impact, and it absolutely does.
It’s down to Melissa’s hard work. I haven’t had a chance to say more than a few words to her so far tonight. From the moment she arrived, she’s been checking everything twice and running around like crazy. She doesn’t need to. So far, it’s all set up and going smoothly.
People are starting to file in. Right on time. As much as this is supposed to be a fun event, it’s also more than serious. We have a very short window to pull this off.
It’s game on.
A hand claps down on my shoulder. Rob. “Looks great, huh?”
I nod. He trusts Melissa as much as I do, but he’s as impressed as I am to see everything live and ready to roll. “You ready?”
“Sure.” I sound confident. I am. But this is a big deal. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to an occasional undercurrent of nerves mixing in with the excitement of it all.
Melissa’s across the room, talking to someone I don’t recognize. I want to go and speak to her one last time before it’s impossible but before I can, Rob and I spot Brent Hudson. He’s second in command, and he’s the man we really have to get all the way on board tonight.
“We’re on,” Rob says to me in an undertone. I straighten my tie and we head over to him.
“Brent. Glad you could make it out tonight.” Rob takes the lead, and I’m more than fine with that. He’s better at closing.
After speaking with Brent for a few minutes, I leave Rob alone with him. I’ve got to make the rounds and make sure everyone else is happy too. Because even though it’s down to Brent to make the final decision and make the recommendation to hire us, it goes a long way if everyone else is on board too.
And they are. So far, everyone’s having a good time. Drinks are flowing. Dinner’s already being served, and the main presentation is about to start. All of the reps here tonight will get to see everything that we can do for them.
I’m getting a good feel for the vibe and everyone’s into it. No exceptions. As long as Rob can pull it off with Brent, we’re going to be good to go.
Melissa’s taking her seat at one of the tables. She glances my way and we lock eyes until I have to look away. I don’t have many regrets in my life, but losing her is at the top of the list.
This isn’t the time to be thinking about her. I should be sitting down to eat too. But I couldn’t care less about food. I’m standing at the back of the room so I can get the full picture of how the presentation is coming off. And how people are reacting to it.
So far, so good. Not just good, actually.
Spectacular.
We’re pulling it off. Now I’m certain they’re going to sign with us.
I don’t move until it’s over and dessert’s being served. It’s been an intense couple of hours. Everything’s gone so smoothly, I can relax now. And I need a moment way from it all. I head down a short hallway, just off the main room. It leads nowhere, only to an emergency exit that looks like it’s never been used. No-one will be coming down here.
The volume’s lower here too. Leaning against the wall, I run my fingers through my hair. Nothing can mess the evening up now.
I’m about to head back when Rob appears. “There you are.”
“So?”
“Brent’s in.” Rob’s ecstatic. “He’s ready to sign.”
I exhale sharply. It’s happening. Everything I’ve worked for, for such a long time. There was always a small part of me that wasn’t convinced it would actually come together.
And now it has.
Ev
erything’s fallen into place. We’ve landed the biggest account in our company’s history. We’re on our way to the stratosphere now.
“Are you serious?” I know he is, but I have to ask anyway. Relief is already flooding through my veins as Rob shoots me his biggest grin.
“We pulled it off.” Before I can reply, he catches me up in a big bear hug. It’s nothing out of the ordinary until he kisses me.
It’s only for a few seconds, but it’s long enough for me to get lost in it. Rob and I haven’t so much as shaken hands with each other since we broke up. For a moment, it’s like everything’s back to the way it should be.
The awareness that this isn’t the right time strikes us both at once, and we break apart quickly. It’s certainly not the right place either, even though we’re out of sight from anyone at the main event. I don’t want us to get caught. Rob turns away first and his expression freezes. Dread courses over me as I follow his gaze.
We’re not alone.
It’s William Fox. The man in charge of the entire association. What the hell is he doing here? He’s not even supposed to be here tonight. He sent Brent here to represent him. But that’s the least of my concerns now. It’s clear that he saw us. There’s no way he couldn’t have. If nothing else, I can tell from his expression. His eyes are wide and his jaw’s slack. He definitely got an eyeful of our kiss. There’s no way to pretend it didn’t happen.
Fucking hell.
Chapter 23
James
William turns to walk away. Rob’s already going after him, but I’m frozen to the spot. It can’t be true, but it is. Everything’s crashing down around us. It’s already done.
Forcing my legs to get working, I go to join them. Rob’s stopped William just a few feet away from where we were. Still far enough away from the crowd so that nothing we say could be overheard.
He’s already trying to convince William of something. Of what, I can’t even guess. There’s no way to pretend it didn’t happen.
William’s expression is stern. Not that I’ve ever seen him look happy, but it’s clear he’s upset. Giving me a brief glance, he continues what he was saying to Rob.
“The reason we agreed to work with NovaTeam is because we want a new start. A new image that is scandal-free.” He looks pointedly between Rob and I. “That was made very clear from the very beginning. This is the last thing we need.”
“There’s no scandal,” Rob tells him smoothly. He’s coming off as completely professional, although I can tell he’s rattled too. “Personal lives can easily remain personal.”
“You know that’s not true, Jefferson. What do you do on your own time should be your own business. Except that it’s not. Not at this level. This is exactly how all the problems and scandals in our league first started. And this kind of thing is exactly what we have to get away from. Far away. We were planning on going with NovaTeam, even though you’re not a major player. Because you have the potential to be. But we want squeaky clean. No less than that. I’m afraid we’re not going to be able to work with you.”
“No-one knows about this.” Rob makes a short gesture in my direction.
William lifts his eyebrow, his skepticism clear. “I do. And if I do, that means others can easily find out too. If they haven’t already. Details don’t matter. Hell, the truth doesn’t even matter. I couldn’t care less what’s going on between any of you. But others will. A clean company and personal lives. That’s what we have to have. The only way we can work together is if you promise this is over right now. Because if I can catch you, other people can.”
He’s right. As much as I hate to admit it, William is right. If I was in his position, I wouldn’t want to work with us either.
But we need him.
William continues. “Look, this is almost a done deal. So I’ll give you a choice. You and…whatever you have going on. It ends right now. And I’ll still consider hiring you. But there can’t be any promises not to get caught. I just caught you. It has to be over. There’s no other option, except that we’re done. And I need your answer now.”
Rob gives me a look that I know well. He’s letting me know without a word that this will go better if I disappear. I get it. Remove the problem from sight so you can solve it. And right now, the problem is any reminder of Rob and I kissing.
I walk away. I don’t even know what to say. I stand close enough that I can see their expressions, even though I can’t hear what they’re talking about. So far, it’s not looking good. How can Rob possibly convince William that there’s nothing going on between us after what he saw?
Melissa comes up to me. She’s got two drinks and she hands one over to me. Automatically I accept the glass from her, drinking mindlessly.
She gives me a quizzical look .“What’s wrong? Everything’s going great. Right? We’ve got this.”
“Not anymore. William Fox caught Rob and I kissing.”
Her jaw drops. “Oh, hell.”
I don’t have to spell it out. She knows what that means.
She frowns at me. “Why were you kissing?”
A good question. “We weren’t thinking. Heat of the moment, I guess. Rob’s trying to talk William down right now.” I glance up to check on how it’s going, only to spot Rob coming our way.
Without William.
His expression is grim. My heart sinks.
“Well?”
“William says he’ll work with NovaTeam.”
“Are you serious?”
Rob’s jaw is tight. “Yes. But only on the condition that either you or I step down and leave the company.”
“What?” The color drains from Melissa’s face. “He shouldn’t be able to request something like that.”
“No,” Rob agrees. “He shouldn’t. But he can. And he is.”
The three of us stand together in silence. No-one wants to say what we know needs to be said.
“That’s one hell of a demand for him to make,” Melissa protests. “He can’t control the company that way. Who does he think he is?”
“Someone who knows he has what we want.” For the first time in his life, Rob looks defeated. “I’ll do it.”
I straighten up. “No.”
“It’s my fault. And it can’t be you.”
“Sure it can.” My fists clench at the thought. But it needs to be done. “You can buy me out with the money that the association will bring in.”
“I’m not doing that. NovaTeam is everything to you.” Rob sets his hand on my shoulder. “Besides. What are the chances I won’t cause some sort of a scandal sometime? They’d break the contract anyway. You’re the one, James. If one of us has to take over, it has to be you.”
“There’s absolutely no way around it, is there.” Melissa’s voice is flat.
Rob shakes his head. “It’s his terms, or nothing. We can’t have it both ways.”
“We built NovaTeam together. It’s ours to decide what to do with, not William’s.”
“Yeah, it’s ours. And this is my decision. I’m stepping down, James. Nothing you can do about it. After everything we’ve gone through to get the association, we can’t let it go now.”
Rob’s right. There’s too much at stake now.
I make a decision. “I’m going to go talk to William.”
“There you go.” Rob claps me on the back. “We’ll figure out the details out later.”
I find William standing alone at a table, just ending a phone call. But he speaks before I do.
“James. You’ve all put a lot of work into setting up this deal. A lot of work, and I appreciate that. You know that NovaTeam is my first choice. You’ve got what it takes. And I don’t have to tell you that a contract with us will ensure your company’s future.”
“I’m aware.” I meet his gaze head-on. “But your demand is unreasonable. And Rob and I are a team. You want one of us, you get the other. That’s not negotiable. And if what some of us do in our personal lives is going turn into a scandal that’s too big for yo
ur association to handle, then I’m afraid we won’t be able to take you on as a client.”
That’s not the answer he was expecting. William’s eyes narrow. “I’ll give you a moment to reconsider.”
“I don’t need it. I’m sorry, William.”
I truly am. But nothing’s going to shake my resolve.
With a soft laugh, he shakes his head, still staring at me.
I think I can almost detect a glimmer of respect in his eyes. Whatever it is, it fades fast. “The decision is final then. We won’t be revisiting this issue.” Without another word, he walks away.
I can’t believe what I’ve just done. In a moment, Melissa and Rob come to my side.
“So it’s done?” Melissa asks. “You’ve got the association back?”
“It’s done. But no. We won’t be working with them.”
Rob expression changes. “What did you just do, James?”
I knock back the rest of my drink. Even after giving up the biggest contract in our company’s history, I know I’ve done the right thing.
“I told him you and I are a team.”
“James. It’s not worth it. I’ll be fine. I’ll go get him back.”
I grab Rob’s arm before he can take off. “It’s not just that. Not just William thinking he can dictate how our company operates.”
“What then?”
“We’ve given up way too much already. I know you think I only cared about this deal going through. And I did, very much so. But it’s not the most important thing. Losing the two of you was far, far worse than whether or not we got this client. I’m not letting William destroy most of our lives just so he gets what he wants at our expense.”
The corners of Rob’s mouth turn up. “I can’t believe you did that. Letting the association go. Truly unbelievable, James.”
“It was a lot easier than breaking us up. I always figured you’d be the one to let us go.”
“How can you think that?”
I frown at Rob. “How could I not? You’re not exactly a relationship kind of guy.”
He drops his hand down on my arm in a familiar gesture. Automatically I start to pull away, then I stop myself. We don’t have to hide anything anymore. That’s a relief.