Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 135831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
I’m so glad I never truly doubted her.
As she cheers me on, she swivels to face Elias. “And you never volunteered for Meals on Wheels. I called the organization in your college town and looked it up. They don’t have a record of you.”
I grin at Jenna. “You are a tenacious, inquisitive, brilliant human,” I say and offer her a palm for high-fiving. She smacks back, and then I resume my march down the hall.
Because I am not walking into my boss’s office. I am marching in.
Along the way, I catalog my surroundings. The corridor is blue. The air is cool. The chance is mine.
When I reach her suite, Trevor waves me in. The door is halfway open and I push it the rest of the way.
Oh.
Clementine is here too, sitting on the couch next to Zaire. That throws me for a loop but only for a second. It’s even better that the general manager’s here. I can say my piece to both of them.
“I saw you on the schedule. Tell me what’s on your mind,” Zaire says.
“Yes, I’d love to know too. Sit,” Clementine says, then gestures to the chair across from the couch.
But I don’t want to sit. I shake my head. “I’m going to stand.” I don’t waste another second. “And I’m not here to try to keep my job. I’m here to tell you why you should keep me.”
Zaire squints. “What exactly are you talking about, Everly?”
Clementine shoots me a skeptical look. “Yes, I’d so love to know too.”
“You have an unwritten rule that says employees shouldn’t get involved with the athletes. You told me about it on the first day I started here. It’s a rule we’re all expected to follow because it could end badly for the employee. Because it could affect how they do their job. Because it could affect how people see them. But I’m here to tell you it’s a bad rule. And the fact that I’ve fallen in love with one of our hockey players hasn’t affected a single thing about my ability to do the job. And if you fire me for falling in love with a player, here’s what else you’ll lose.”
Shaking her head, Zaire holds up a hand. “Hold on. You’ve fallen in love with one of our players?”
“The pre-game show starts in about ten minutes on The Sports Network, and you’ll hear Max Lambert talking about it. But I want you to hear from me about what I’ve done so you can think about the value I bring to this organization.”
For a beat, both women look floored. No surprise there. But they’re not top executives for nothing. “I’d love to hear,” Clementine says in her cool British accent, sweeping out a hand.
“My personal life hasn’t hurt my ability to do the job at all. Since I’ve been here, I’ve helped develop segments with our broadcast partner that drive up ratings. I’ve spearheaded a project to pitch features on players across mediums, and we’ve seen a thirty percent increase in our coverage in the last year because of that. Our social media engagement has already increased since October, and is now up sixty-three percent over the last year, which has led to forty-seven percent more jersey sales. I’ve also planned events with our key partner organizations throughout the city,” I say, rattling off some of my major accomplishments. “I did all this while falling in love with Max and making him likeable again. He went from being a recluse to being a reliable player who regularly talks to the media and presents well.” I stop and take a fueling breath since there’s one more thing to say. “Also, other pro sports team owners recognize my talent and want to work with me. I’m not saying this to worry you that I’m leaving. I’m telling you that I’m valuable. I contribute every day to this PR team. And I will continue innovating.”
Zaire’s brow furrows right as she tilts her head, as if she’s adding up all the facts. “That is quite a speech, Everly.”
But I’m not done. “And since the interview’s about to air, I’m going to let you watch it. And I would love if you could let me know if you’re going to not just bend that rule for me but to get rid of it entirely for everyone.”
I thank them and leave.
55
ABOUT THAT SIDE HUSTLE
Max
I’m in the locker room and in my gear early. I’ve taped up my stick. My pads are on. My skates are laced. We have an early puck drop tonight, so we’ll hit the ice soon for warm-ups.
A couple of my teammates are here, too, getting ready. Wesley’s next to me, lacing up.
I could hit the ice now and do some stretches, but my mind isn’t on hockey. It’s on Everly. I hope her meeting’s going well, and I also don’t want her to be blindsided. I do something I never do. I google myself—to make sure nothing’s gotten out yet. That Elias hasn’t tried to preempt Everly by dropping that picture of us online.