Thirteen: Pierce

THIRTEEN

PIERCE

I was seconds away from losing my shit.

Denise and Brian were staring at me via a morning Zoom session, taking turns to read comments from our top fans.

“Just because Mr. Dawson played in the NBA, doesn’t mean he knows anything about owning a team,” Brian said. “My wife thinks he’s attractive, so I’ve made it my personal mission to hate on everything he does.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t expect anything from him so soon.” Denise read. “Maybe he’s crafting a five-year plan and taking things slow.”

I leaned back in my chair and tuned out the next few letters.

I’d been a competitor for as long as I could remember, and I didn’t believe in doing anything half-assed or surrounding myself with people who were okay with mediocrity.

The entire point of sports was winning , and although it did take time to build a good team, I didn’t see the point in suffering with an average one for another day.

“So, sometimes we just have to take the ‘L’ on certain things.” Brian was still talking when I came to. “Besides, I heard he’s a family man now.”

“Okay, enough .” I shook my head. “Fire every executive in this building, from the general manager to the equipment guy with a three-month severance package.”

“What?” He and Denise spoke in unison.

“Get rid of the players, too.”

“We can’t fire the players,” Denise said. “You know that. They have contracts.”

“I know,” I said. “We’re going to trade and waive most of them away.”

“Oh my god, sir!” My secretary rushed into my office later that night. “ Sir ?”

“I said no intrusions for the rest of the day.” I rubbed my temple. “What part of that was unclear?”

“Your nanny is refusing to take ‘no’ for an answer,” she said. “She broke through security to come up here. She says it can’t wait.”

“I see.” I stood up from my desk. “Let her in…”

Seconds later, Olivia plopped onto a sofa, and Harlow pushed the twins’ stroller into my office.

Donning a skintight black dress and tall pink stilettos, she looked fucking stunning . Her hair was pulled to one side in curls I wanted to run my fingers through while she writhed under me.

“May I help you with something, Miss Hawthorne?” I asked.

“It’s two hours past my off time.”

“Your ‘what’ time?”

“You said that after the first couple of weeks, I could switch to the five days on, and two days off, and I believe we’re far past that now.”

She held out the twins’ baby bag, but I didn’t move to take it.

“I kept calling and calling, but since you didn’t answer, I figured something must be wrong with your phone.”

“So, you decided to just show up here?”

“Yeah.” She nodded. “I’ve missed out on quite a few ‘Girls’ Night’ sessions with my best friend Sasha, and I can’t afford to miss anymore.”

I crossed my arms.

“I desperately need a change of scenery—even if it’s only for a day or two, and even if it’s just the inside of a bar and my old kitchen. I’ll be back at four a.m. on Monday.”

She wheeled the twins closer to me, and I held back a laugh.

“ No ,” I said.

“No, what?”

No, I’m not letting another man see you in that dress.

“No, you’re not allowed to be off tonight, Miss Hawthorne.” I kept my voice firm. “Let me remind you about what I expect from you as my nanny.”

“I’m your children’s nanny.”

“You know what I mean,” I said. “You are responsible for around the clock care, and per our agreement, all off days and any changes in our schedule need to be discussed or negotiated at least seventy two hours in advance.”

“I never agreed to be okay with neglecting a life of my own.”

“That’s literally the definition of ‘ live-in nanny.’”

“For only five days a week.”

“With overtime as required and off days as requested ,” I narrowed my eyes at her. “Meaning, you have to ask. To be perfectly honest, at the rate I’m paying you, it should bother you to even want an off day.”

She narrowed her eyes right back at me, pursing her perfect lips.

“You need to pull out a dictionary and look up the phrase ‘work life balance,’ Mr. Dawson.

“That phrase is a myth .” I resisted the urge to pull her against my chest. “Seeing as though only one of us is a billionaire, I think it’s best if we take his view of things when it comes to things that are work-related.”

“We sure as hell shouldn’t take his view when it comes to treating his employees well.”

“No one on my staff has ever complained.”

“Not to your face.”

“Your next off day— if I approve it—needs to be something for professional development,” he said. “I’m afraid a Happy Hour, where you could potentially get tipsy doesn’t fall under that category.”

“I was planning on getting hammered .”

“Thanks for making my point.” I kissed William and Charlotte on their foreheads. “Have a goodnight and a safe ride home with your full-time nanny .”