-RORY-
“So, Rory, your fans and I are all curious. How does it feel to be headed to the X Games in L.A. for the sixth time?”
Jacob Fuller was a sports commentator with ESPN and I knew him better than most journalists. I’d always felt comfortable in his presence and gravitated to him for interviews after competitions.
The camera and the microphone were both shoved in my face. I was never comfortable being interviewed, even when it was with someone like Jake, but I needed the exposure, and my growing confidence with my reading skills made me braver.
“I’m totally excited. For the fans. They deserve this.”
“Don’t you mean you deserve it, Rory?”
“No, I definitely don’t deserve all of this. I’ve been fortunate to have an amazing comeback. It’s the fans who deserve this. That’s who I’m skating for now.”
“But winning the Calgary International Skateboarding Competition with a record-setting score can’t feel bad for you personally, can it?”
Jake was right. Not only had I mopped the floor with Pretty Boy’s ugly ass, I’d broken an international record by receiving perfect scores from three of the five judges in my final round.
“Yeah, I guess that does feel pretty good personally.” I laughed, knowing it wasn’t for the reasons he and the rest of the viewing audience thought though.
“Rumor has it you’re working on an original trick. Any comment?”
“No comment.”
“Do you think you’ll debut it at the X Games?”
“Let’s just say, it’s a possibility.”
“Do you think your hand will be healed in time?”
I looked down at my hand, still wrapped in bandages. We’d decided to go with the story that I’d slammed it in the kitchen door and everyone seemed to buy it. Hindley had talked me into going to a minor emergency clinic in the wee hours of the morning and they’d confirmed it wasn’t broken, just badly bruised. It still hurt like a motherfucker though.
“Well, it doesn’t seem to have affected me today.” I laughed.
“Broadcasters and league insiders predict you’ll be ranked second in the world after this weekend’s big win, possibly even first going into the X Games. Any comment?”
“First or last place, it doesn’t matter, Jake, as long as I can still ride.” And that was the truth. It wasn’t about winning now. It was about competing against myself. Being the best that I could be.
“You have to know that sounds like a line of bull, right, Rory? Everyone wants to be number one.”
“You forget, Jake, I was number one. It only lasts for a little while. There’s more to my life than being number one.” I searched the crowd, looking for my reason. Her name was Hindley Hagen.
“Fair point, Rory. Hey, good luck in Miami.”
“Thanks, man.” I smacked him on the shoulder and broke through the crowd, making my way to the grandstands in search of my Drunk Girl.
“Nice skating, Rory.” I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned toward the voice, disappointed to find it was Michael.
“Oh, thanks. Where’s Hindley?” I knew my tone was too possessive, but I couldn’t help it. She was the only person I wanted to share this win with and the one person I had yet to find.
“She’s with Axel.” The look on his face was menacing, as if his words were a warning of some sort.
Fuck. I willed myself to stay calm.
“So, your firm is signing Axel too?” I asked. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that.”
“Why?” He stared at me.
“Having two athletes in the same sport seems like a conflict of interest.”
He laughed smugly.
I realized in that moment that I couldn’t stand this asshole.
“That’s funny,” he said.
“What?”
“That’s exactly what Hindley told Mr. Stedwick when he broached the subject of taking on Axel as a client.”
That was my girl, standing up for me at any cost. I couldn’t help but smile.
“And I assume you all determined you could represent both of us fairly and equally?”
“Of course, Rory. Was that really a doubt?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I can assure you, Luis and I will work twice as hard as Hindley did to secure the most endorsements we can.”
“And what if I don’t want to work with you and Luis?”
“Well, I guess that’s your prerogative, although I don’t think you’d want to jeopardize Hindley’s future by being so selfish, would you?”
“What the fuck does that mean?” I was tired of playing nice with this prick, like I gave a fuck about him or his firm.
“Hindley’s a brilliant lawyer, and on her way to being a top-notch agent as well.”
“Who better to represent me then?”
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough bad press in the past to last a lifetime?”
“What are you saying, Michael?”
“I’m saying let Hindley go. Let her do her job, a job she’s good at. You do yours, let me and Luis represent you, and things will go a lot more smoothly.”
And there it was. He knew. Fuck.
“Does Hindley know?” I asked.
“Know what?”
“That you know about us?”
“No. And I’d like to keep it that way.”
I would too, but I couldn’t lie to Hindley. “I won’t go out of my way to tell her, but I’m not going to lie to her if she asks,” I said.
“She’s a smart girl, I’m sure she already suspects I know something. Let’s keep her in the dark.”
‘Keep her in the dark?’ What a douche bag.
I didn’t have a choice. I had to suck it up and play along. I could be dangerous if left to my own devices, and the throbbing pain in my hand was a reminder of that fact. I couldn’t jeopardize Hindley’s reputation.
“What’s the deal with Axel? Did they really ask for her?”
“Yes. His manager was impressed with her ability to get you a commercial deal so quickly. They think she can do the same for Axel.”
“He’s a dick, you know. I don’t trust him at all.”
“Need I remind you that your reputation isn’t so stellar either?”
I may hate the guy, but he was right.
“Need I remind you that you work for me?” I said, tilting my head.
His raised eyebrow was all the indication I needed to know he understood I wasn’t going to play his dumbass little game.
“Look man, Axel’s different,” I said. “He’s unstable, explosive, dangerous.”
Michael’s brow furrowed.
I knew what he was thinking. So are you, my friend. Maybe. But Axel’s fury was fueled by something different than mine. I wanted to protect Hindley. Axel wanted women, at any cost.
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” he said. “Just let Hindley do her job. She’s much smarter than you give her credit for.”
“And Axel’s much more dangerous than you realize.”
“Great job, Rory.” Hindley yelled behind me.
I turned to face her but tried to hide my excitement. “Thanks,” I said coolly.
Her eyes darted between Michael and me as she processed the scene unfolding before her.
“Michael and I are going to discuss some details of the deals you’ve been working on later tonight after dinner,” I said.
“Okay, what time should I be there?” she asked eagerly.
“I think you probably need to concentrate on Axel. Michael’s got me.” My stomach cramped with dread and fear, knowing I was forcing her in the direction of the one man I despised more than life itself.
But fuck it all if Michael wasn’t right. It was Hindley’s reputation on the line. I had to last five more weeks and then I could declare my love for her. Until then, I had to let her go, but the expression on her face broke my spirit. I’d hurt her.
Her eyes cut to Michael’s.
I felt sorry for the bastard.
“What the hell’s going on, Michael? Rory is my client. We agreed I could handle him and Axel together until the X Games.”
“Rory and I have talked and we both agree that it would be better for him to have the undivided attention of me and Luis to further his career.”
‘Further my career?’ He’d have to come up with something better than that or Hindley would see right through him. She knew I couldn’t care less about my career.
“It’s all right, Hindley,” I said. “I know you’re busy with other athletes, but if I need you, you’ll be there for me.” I gave her a slight smile, hoping she’d understand my underlying message.
Her face showed no signs of acknowledgment. She was pissed.
“Rory! Rory!” People screamed from behind the barricades. Fans. Shit.
“Go. Your fans want you,” she said with a slight hint of sarcasm in her voice. Her lips pressed into a thin line and her once glowing eyes were now dulled with apprehension. She knew there was more going on, but she also realized I needed to address my fans. “We’ll talk later,” she whispered.
My body burned at the thought of having to lie to her. I wouldn’t. I’d never lie to Hindley. It was physically impossible. I just hoped she would be all right with the truth.