Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

GEMMA

I found solace in the routine of my morning swim—a peaceful escape from the chaos of my thoughts. The water always washes away my worries, leaving me refreshed and ready to face the day ahead. I try to make it to the pool at least five days a week. I don't get to swim much when we're away at a game because I'm not confident enough to swim in other pools. It took a lot of courage for me to come here. But I did it. One of the peculiarities of being a loner.

"Knock! Knock!" Davy raps his knuckles on my desk. "Where did you go?" He asks with a frown, looking down my shirt at the same time. He knows I see him and the asshole smiles.

What a disgusting pig!

"I wasn't anywhere," I snap, taking a deep breath and narrowing my eyes.

"Well, somebody got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning." He sits down at his own desk, which is unfortunately across from mine. "You know, you need to get laid, then you won't be so uptight."

My mouth falls open in shock.

"What the hell did you just say?" Madden storms over to Davy, who jumps to his feet. "You'd better apologize to Gemma."

Davy scoffs. "She's a colleague. We're messing around."

Madden puts his hands on Davy's desk and leans forward. "What I heard was sexual harassment." He looks at me over his shoulder. "If you want to report this asshole, I'll stand by you."

"You just want to get in her pants," Davy laughs. "Just like the rest of us."

Madden growls and jumps over the desk, grabbing Davy by the neck and says, "Everyone here has fucking respect for our colleagues. You know why, asshole? Because we're part of a fucking team."

I pull myself together. I jump up and move next to Madden. "Let him go."

"Seriously?"

"I don't want you getting in trouble for defending me."

"This piece of trash deserves to be thrown out like garbage."

"I know." I reach out and put a hand on Madden's arm. "Please, Madden. Let him go."

He lets go of Davy, who acts as if nothing has happened. Madden narrows his eyes. "You so much as look at Gemma funny, we are going to have a huge problem. You understand me?"

"Fuck off, Madden!"

I grab Madden and push him away from Davy. "As much as I'd like to have your fist in his face, I don't want you losing time on the ice."

He stares at me and nods. "He says shit like that again, you tell me."

I don't say anything.

"Gemma, I want you to promise me."

"Okay." My heart beats wildly at the anger. I hate this.

Madden leans in close. "I'll tell Dario about that asshole." He holds my gaze while I have too many questions about why he would mention Dario specifically. Deep down I know, but I'm struggling with it because I'm me and he's him.

"You!" Madden points at Davy. "I'm watching you." He storms out of the office.

"I need the bathroom." I escape and manage to hold myself together until I'm locked in a stall. Now the tears fall, and I give in to the shaking. I press a hand against the stall and force myself to focus on breathing.

I've been ignoring Davy every day since I started working here. Still, he's never said anything like that before. It shocked me. I put a hand on my stomach and try to find some balance.

Violence scares me, but even though Madden's reaction scared me at first, I realized I wasn't afraid of him. I knew he wasn't going to hurt me. But what the hell is Davy doing making such a lewd remark?

After splashing cold water on my face, I dab it dry with a towel, pulling myself together.

The bathroom door slams open, so I quickly leave. With any luck, Davy will have something else to do that doesn't require him to be in the office.

To my dismay, he doesn't. He sits behind his desk as if he hasn't just been the biggest jerk.

"I'm sorry," he blurts.

I'm so surprised that my mouth falls open as I stare at the idiot. "What?"

"I said I'm sorry. That was inappropriate. Can we move on now?"

"I guess." I sit behind my desk and wonder what happened. Davy is an arrogant jerk who never apologizes. Maybe he's afraid the team won't let him tag along during downtime when he's out of town. Whatever the reason, if he keeps his mouth shut, I honestly don't care.

I go through the extra hotel rooms I've been asked to book, logging everything in the appropriate records for when we travel. I'm lucky to be the only woman traveling with the team, because that means I get my own room. It also means I'll be forgotten.

Feeling a little sad, I glance at my phone as it buzzes with a message.

Wayne: Do you want to get together later?

Me: I'm busy with work.

Wayne: You need to eat.

Me: ...

I don't answer, because I can see that this is going to be a long stream of text messages that I'm not in the mood for.

Wayne: Will you meet me for lunch instead? I'll come to you.

Me: I'm at work and have a lot to do.

What is wrong with me? Why can't I be honest and admit that I wouldn't go out with him if I got paid.

Wayne: Is that a yes or a no?

Me: No!

There, I said it.

My phone goes silent, which makes me uncomfortable. I let out a loud breath and catch Davy's eye.

"Men," I mutter under my breath. "I'm taking an early lunch."