“What?” I ask, feeling my f**king heart tumble to the ground. “She moved to Los Angeles?”
Rivers nods. “Yeah, she got a job with The Jock Report as an editor.”
“f**k,” I mutter. “And she’s down there now?”
“She is,” Rivers says. “Ross was really upset about it, hence why he had to talk to you last night. He needed to get it off his chest.”
“I understand that,” I say and hang my head. “I f**ked up so hard, Rivers.”
“You did,” he says. “But there’s always a way to make it better.”
“She moved. How can I make that better?”
“Distance doesn’t matter, especially if you love her, and I’m assuming you love her.”
I nod. “Even when I thought she hurt me, I never stopped loving her. Never.”
“Then there’s your answer. She might not live here now, but that shouldn’t stop you. If you want your girl back, then get her back.”
* * *
I pace my apartment, trying to get the courage to make a phone call. But I’m chickening out, so scared as to what would happen . . .
Silas: I can’t do this.
Posey: Yes, you can.
Pacey: We went over this. You want her, go get her.
Hornsby: Coming from experience, if you love her, don’t let her go.
Holmes: You won’t feel right until you do.
Silas: I hate that you’re all right.
Posey: So execute the phone call and text us after. I’m frothing at the mouth for an update.
On a deep breath, I dial the number and bring the phone to my ear. Sweat builds up in my palm, and I hold my breath when the phone is answered.
“Hello?”
“JP?” I ask. “It’s Silas Taters.”
“Aah, I’ve been expecting your call. Let me guess, you’re ready to join The Jock Report?”
“Something like that,” I say. “I think I need your help. I’m in LA in two days. Think you can help me win my girl back?”
“I thrive for moments like this. I’m in.”
**************************************
OLLIE
Ross: You know, the Agitators are in town if you want to go catch a game.
Ollie: I think you know the answer to that.
Ross: If you want to have dinner with Ian to catch up, I can let him know.
Ollie: You know I love him, but I don’t think I’m ready to see any hockey player.
Ross: He’ll be sad, but I’m sure he’ll understand. Did I tell you that he asked me to move into his place?
Ollie: NO! That’s so exciting. Are you going to do it?
Ross: I told him I was slightly apprehensive since I have the dorm and I don’t want to lose that, you know just in case something happens between us, but he said I could keep it and he wouldn’t be insulted. He understands the need for security.
Ollie: You found yourself a good one. So, is that a yes, then?
Ross: It’s a yes. I’m moving in this weekend when they return from their away trip.
Ollie: Send me pictures of your his and his closet.
Ross: It will be beautiful.
Ollie: I have no doubt in my mind.
“Hey, Ollie,” Ryot Bisley says as he comes up to my desk.
Let me tell you the difference between Roberts’s office and The Jock Report office. Instead of cubicles, it’s all open seating. We all have laptops, and we can come and go as we please, hook up to any station, and get comfortable. There are recliners, private rooms for concentration, and games like ping pong and air hockey all through the space so you can take a mental break. It’s truly amazing here.
“Hey, Ryot,” I say, setting my phone down.
“I have a new client who just signed on, and I was hoping you could help him with his article. It’s his first time, and he’s a bit self-conscious about his editing abilities.”
“Well, that’s what I’m here for. I’d be more than happy to look over it.”
“Great,” Ryot says, then hands me a printed-out piece of paper. Odd, we usually do everything online, but this will work. “If you could make it a priority, I’d appreciate it.”
“Sure, I’ll get to it right now,” I answer.
“Thanks, Ollie. Let me know if you have questions, and when you’re done, just bring it to my office.”
“Sure, not a problem.” Ryot takes off, and I walk over to the community office supply table, grab a red pen and highlighter, and then sit in one of the recliners.
Once I’m comfortable, I lift the paper and read the title.
“The Truth About Silas Taters . . .”
What the actual f**k.
I look up toward Ryot’s office and see that he’s disappeared behind his door. This is not an article I want to read. It’s not an article I should read because who knows what he’s going to say, something that might hurt me. It’s been several weeks since Silas threw me out of his life . . . and I don’t feel anywhere near healed. Will I ever stop hurting?
But I can’t tell Ryot I can’t edit the piece because when I took this job, I swore to myself not only will I be the most loyal employee to the men who gave me a chance, but that I would do anything they asked.
Anything.
And this is anything.
“f**k,” I mutter as I squeeze my eyes shut.
You have to do this. There’s no option. So just read it and get it over with.
On a deep breath, I focus my eyes back on the paper.
“The Truth About Silas Taters.”
Written by Silas Taters
You might know me as a starting forward for the Vancouver Agitators, for my quick feet on the ice, and my ability to conceal a puck until the last minute, tricking the opposite team’s goalie.
Others unfortunately might know me from a recent article that was released about my personal life.
Either way, you know of me, and I figured I should set the record straight.
This past summer, a girl in a bar k**sed me. I wasn’t expecting to fall for her, nor was I expecting her to make me feel wanted, needed again.
But she did.
In a few short weeks, I found myself falling hard for this girl.
Who is this girl? Ollie Owens, the girl who wrote the infamous article about me.
I know what you’re thinking, how could you fall for someone who’d write an article about me in such a negative way? Here’s the thing, the article she turned in wasn’t the article that was published.
Her words were manipulated.
Her truth was skewed.
And because of her loyalty to me, to the Agitators, and to the fans, she confronted the offender who changed her article, only to lose everything, including me in the process.
Why am I telling you this? Because this is why The Jock Report exists, so you can hear our story rather than a story construed by someone else looking for cl**ks.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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