Mine To Love

Turns Out I'm A Liar

Chapter Four

Easton

Demons come in all shapes and sizes. Anger. Anxiety. An aversion to the future. Mine tempt me to submit to Xanax in order to have some peace of mind. I’m not a drug addict. I swear it. But I’m addicted to the temporary relief a Xan provides. I didn’t mean for my life to take such a drastic turn this year. As Mum’s condition becomes more pervasive and Dad grows desperate to help her, I toy with instability. I give in to my vices when the going gets tough. But with avoidance comes anxiety, like a freight train hitting me when I least expect it.

There are very few people in this world who can order me around without earning a glare in return. Oscar Rhodes happens to be one of them. I lean back in the chair across from his desk, drumming my fingers against the armrest while he keeps pacing the length of his office. He stops pacing long enough to toss a newspaper onto the desk and it lands in front of me with my face staring back.

Brilliant. Another headline and reminder that apparently the media had decided I was public enemy number one. "Care to explain this?" Oscar faces me in all his glory. “Great” Instead of having fun in Melbourne before the season starts, I get to park my arse inside of a conference room.

I glance down at the paper.

Captain Loses Temper After Charity Event.

I almost laugh. "They're making it sound worse than it was."

"Worse?" His eyebrows shot upward. "You walked out halfway through the event."

"I stayed for three hours."

"You were scheduled for five."

"I had somewhere else to be."

"You also ignored every reporter waiting outside."

“I f****d up. You know it, I know it, even all my f*****g teammates know it.” Oscar lets out a long sigh before rubbing a hand across his face.

"You've skipped two sponsor dinners this month and last week you snapped at a fan."

"They were pointless and as for the so called fan, he shoved a phone in my face." His jaw tightens. "He was twelve."

"He still shoved a phone in my face."

“What you did is concerning. f**k—” Oscar closes his blue eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose “—don’t blow my trust and force me to find a different solution to manage your anxiety.” His British accent has an edge to it.

“It won’t happen again because I’ve learned my lesson.” I’m not proud of any of it. Not really. But I also am not sorry.

People assume that because I wear a captain's letter, I belong to them. They expect smiles on command and carefully rehearsed answers that mean absolutely nothing. I’m tired of pretending and acting like my life isn’t falling apart one piece at a time.

Oscar rests both hands on the desk. “Fine. How about you evaluate your public image? Kids look up to you for f**k’s sake. What you’re doing isn’t doing wonders for your career, with sponsors and fans questioning your stability.”

“I guess you’re lucky that I only have one more year on my contract before it gets renewed.” Oscar tugs on his blonde hair. “No. You’re lucky I like you, despite how much of a d**k you are. At least I like you enough to defend your position to the board of sponsors who dislike me as it is. I refuse to give those lazy t***s what they want, so pull your s**t together. "You're one of the best players in this league, Easton."

"I know."

"You're also becoming one of the hardest to market. The sponsors are getting nervous," he continued. "The board keeps asking if you're still fit to be captain." That catches my attention. "They what?"

"They're questioning your leadership." A bitter laugh escapes me. "They're welcome to lace up their skates and do my job."

"They're not questioning your hockey. They're questioning everything outside of it."

If only they know how exhausting it is waking up every morning pretending I haven't lost the only person who ever saw me beyond the jersey. “I’ll try my best to be better.” I swallow back the regret. Oscar didn’t need to stand up to the sponsors, but he did so as a favor to me. And for that, I’m grateful. Oscar walked toward the office door. “I want to make sure I’ve made my point clear so I’ve taken your problem into my own hands. Think of me as your fairy godfather.”

“I don’t like the sound of that.”

“ You don’t have to. Well, be prepared for my offer you—quite literally—can’t refuse.” I slowly clap my hands together a few times in the most sarcastic way possible.

Before I can ask what his grand plan is, I hear a knock on the door. "Come in." I take a deep breath as the door opens and someone steps inside. Time stops.

Eloise.

Whiskey-colored eyes stare at me, framed by thick lashes. Her thin nose tips at the end before my eyes land on her full lips. Wavy, dark hair falls around her, sitting above her breasts, swaying against her fitted cream colored blouse. Her outfit emphasizes her figure, the curves of her on display, begging me to kneel in front of her like a f*****g shrine. For one impossible second, neither of us moves. I haven’t seen her in five years. Five f*****g years. I'd imagined this moment a thousand different ways. She'd cry. She'd scream. She'd slap me. Instead, she’s looking at me like I’m another stranger. I told myself I'd forgotten her but turns out I’m a liar. “Eloise, fancy seeing you here.”

“Mr. Grey I could say the same.” She takes a seat across from me and puts her small hand out. I grab onto it with one tattooed hand as I give her fingers a squeeze. Hot, burning desire makes my hand squeeze hers harder as my d**k registers her presence. I frown, hating the way one touch from her throws me off.

Her eyes meet mine and there’s no surprise in them, only annoyance. Fantastic. Oscar smiles, completely oblivious to the tension thickening the room. "Eloise, perfect timing." She tears her gaze away from me.

"You wanted to see me?"

"I did." Oscar gestures toward me. "You already know Easton." Her expression remains carefully blank.

"We've met."

Met. That was one way to describe a two-year relationship ending in disaster. "As you know, you'll be joining us this season as the team's journalist." Oscar continues and she nods. "I'm looking forward to getting started."

"Good. There's one more thing, you'll also be handling Easton's public relations." The silence that followed could freeze the arena. Eloise blinks. "I'm sorry..."

"You'll be managing his media appearances, helping improve his public image and working closely with him throughout the season”

“Oh great, so I’m being offered a babysitter.”

“Well, you wouldn’t have needed one if you had acted like a f*****g grown up man” Oscar claps his hands together and smiles at us. “Well, glad you two get along well, seeing as Eloise will be your favorite fan this season.” My eyes dart from Oscar to Eloise. “I really hope that doesn’t mean what you’re insinuating.” Oscar hands Eloise an exclusive access pass. “Since Eloise is going to assist you in fixing up your image. She’ll be staying with you throughout the season to keep you in line.”

My jaw tightens to the point of popping. “And what the f**k does that entail?”

“Eloise is to sign a contract where she’ll live with you, making sure you have The Huskies best interests at heart. We’ll cover all her expenses because we want her to concentrate on helping you while also covering the games for media release. Seeing as last week didn’t go so well, I think it’s best to make sure someone watches you all season, break included.”

Her eyebrows draw together. “That wasn't in my contract."

"It wasn't listed specifically."

"It wasn't listed at all."

Oscar shifts awkwardly. "I assumed—"

"You assumed wrong." I almost smile. At least someone else is irritated even if it’s over me. "I'm a journalist," she continues calmly. "I agreed to cover the team. I didn't agree to babysit one of your players."

"Captain," I correct and she glares at me. "I wasn't talking to you."

Oscar sighs. "Eloise..."

"No."

"You've done PR before and you were excellent at it."

"Those were for individual projects and that doesn’t mean I have to do this one"

"I wouldn't ask if I had another option." Oscar says

"Then find another option."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because if Axel recommended you that means you’re perfect at what you do and besides the season is almost beginning so I wouldn’t be able to find anyone else on such short notice. He said you're the only person capable of handling this professionally."

Professionally. If only Axel knew. Or maybe he did, maybe he'd thought forcing us into the same building would somehow fix everything.

"I'll adjust your salary."

"And my editorial independence?"

"You write what you see." Another long silence. Finally, she exhaled. "...Fine." Oscar looked relieved enough to hug someone. "Thank you." She didn't look nearly as grateful. "I'm doing this because I gave my word to cover the team."

"I know."

"And if he makes my job impossible—"

"He won't." I laughed and Oscar glared at me. "I'm trusting both of you.

Not only do I have to hang out with the only person who ever truly knew me, but now I have to live with her? Bloody hell. If there is one thing I’m sure about, it’s how I don’t deserve this kind of karma. “This has to be a joke. I didn’t sign up for a ball and chain.” My words come out in a half-growl.

“And I didn’t sign up for a driver with enough loose marbles to ruin a game of Mancala.” Oscar throws me an agitated look.

“And what do you expect us to do? Braid each other’s hair and watch movies together?” Oscar’s eyes slide from me to Eloise, shooting her a warm smile. “Ignore his temper tantrum. He’ll get used to having you around.” Fat f*****g chance that happens. “I expect we’re good from here, but you can text me if you have any questions.” He looks over at me and silently mouths behave before exiting the room.

“Well, you reacted like I expected.” She crosses her legs, pulling my attention toward them. Her jeans cling to her body and emphasize everything I need to avoid.

“Looks like you got upgraded from journalist to glorified babysitter. I’ve always wanted to live out that fantasy. Care to roleplay?”

She taps her manicured hand on her knee. “ Look Easton, I’m just here to do my work and get paid so please don’t make this harder than it needs to be. I have some rules since we will be living together.” She flips her hair over her shoulder, evading my gaze. “I expect nothing less from you.”

She pulls out a laptop from her purse. I checked out your social media presence and it looks like we have our work cut out for us and please don’t get it into your head that I checked your profile alone. I checked that of all your teammates as well since I’ll b working with everyone of you.

“Way to deflate a man’s ego” I say.

Since your image has hit an all-time low, there’s no way but up.”

“And what exactly does that entail? Will you be my fake girlfriend? I love that type of story.” She rolls her eyes. “Not even a girlfriend can save you from your reputation. I’ll plan different outings and experiences to make your persona so clean, you’ll rival a Disney Channel star.” I raise a brow. “Before the drugs and alcohol?” Eloise laughs. I hate the way it sounds—soft, carefree, untainted by anguish. While I struggle with hidden jadedness and pessimism, she radiates hopefulness and warmth. I’m tempted to test how long it takes to pop her bubble of positivity.

“So I need you to go ahead and tell me what exactly prompted you losing your temper during the charity night.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything ” I said.

“Seeing as you need me to keep your image clean, I think you do.” I took in a deep breath. “You know I don’t really do well in crowded spaces. So I had taken my pills before going to the event and then had a little or maybe too much to drink. Turns out that pills and alcohol don’t mix” I looked up at her and her face showed a rollercoaster of emotions.

“I didn’t know you needed medication to control your anxiety.” I shrug. “Not many people do.”

“Have you tried to talk with a psychologist to help manage your anxiety symptoms? Or have you reconsidered your current medication?”

“No because that would involve talking, and I absolutely, under no circumstances, like talking about my feelings. f**k that, so don’t bother trying. I have a medical doctor on retainer who does the job just fine.” I tap my fingers against the table. She stares at me. It’s unsettling how much I pay attention to the gold flecks in her eyes. Absolutely positively un-f*****g-settling.

“You need to be honest with me. Is there anything else I need to be on the lookout for besides bouts of anxiety?” Her words activate the ominous timer in my head. I push away the swell of anxiety building up inside of me, not keen on freaking out in front of her. “Nope”

“ I may not be part of the babysitter’s club, but I still have some rules.”

“My favorite part of rules is finding a way to break them.”

“Easton…”

“Okay, fine. Let me hear how you want to suck the fun out of this season.” A small smile tugs at the corners of my lips as she nervously twirls at her hair. At least I make her as uneasy as she makes me.

“First, you need to lay off the alcohol. I’m not telling you to stop completely, but practice self-control. I can’t pull you out of a random bathroom, let alone help you walk back to our hotel room.” Gritting my teeth together, I nod. “Fair enough. I don’t want to drink like I did over break either.” Sometimes I can’t help it, and alcohol clouds my brain enough to offer me a temporary reprieve. But for my chance at the Championship, I’ll try to battle my problems in a different way during this season. Try being the keyword.

“Second, you need to be honest with me. If something goes wrong, I want to know so I can help you. If I find out the next day in the papers, then it’s too late and I’ll be pissed.”

“Fine.” I nod my head at her second rule.

“Next—”

“f**k me. How many rules do you have?” I cross my arms against my chest. Her eyes linger on my forearms before snapping back to my face, catching my devious smile.

She tucks a loose wave of hair behind her ear. “Only a few more. If we both go back to the suite at night, that’s it. No leaving. I want to trust you, which means you can’t go sneaking off to do God knows

what.”

“Right…well either way, no sneaking off. This job means a ton to me and I need to be able to trust you. They’re paying me a lot of money to help you.” Her eyes dart off to the side. “Last thing. I know it’s going to be pretty touch for us to be in close proximity seeing as we ...” she trails off. “But I want to let you know that there would be no rehashing of the past. This will be strictly professional. I hope you understand?”

“Loud and clear ” I respond wearing a blank expression on my face. “Well I think that’s it for today. I’ll see you later.”

Before I could think of something to say, she steps out of the office and shuts the door behind her. The room becomes painfully silent. This season was going to last ten months. Ten months of pretending we were strangers.

I wasn't sure which sounded worse.

Seeing Eloise again... Or realizing she no longer looked at me like she loved me. She looked at me like I was simply another assignment and somehow that hurt more than it was supposed to.