Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31113 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31113 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
"Is it done?" I ask.
"It's done," she says.
I exhale a sigh, a weight falling off my shoulders. Darren Smith is out of a job. He won't have the opportunity to do what he did to Jamie to another hopeful reporter. His sorry ass will spend the rest of his life regretting the way he treated her and living with the consequences.
"I feel like I should know what this is about," Jamie says, glancing between the two of us.
"You should," I say, pulling her into my arms. "Darren Smith was fired this morning."
"What?" Her mouth falls open in shock. "Why? How? What?"
"He doesn't get to get away with the way he treated you, angel." I brush her hair back from her face, cupping her face between my palms. "He doesn't get the chance to do it to another reporter. So we made sure he paid for it."
"What did you do?" she whispers.
"Made sure the network knew what they were risking if they didn't deal with him," I say, not in the least sorry for it. I won't ever apologize for defending her.
"What did you do, Jonas?"
"The guys threatened a media blackout if they didn't fire him," Kelsey answers when I don't. "No interviews, no exclusives, and no advertisements or programming on the network."
"Jonas," Jamie breathes, tears welling in her eyes.
"It wasn't just me, angel. The whole team backed the move." I brush tears off her cheeks. "We won't tolerate sexual harassment and discrimination against women. We stand with women. We stand with you. Always."
She throws her arms around me, choking on a sob. I hold her to me, resting my head against hers as she fights to get her emotions under control.
Kelsey was right when she pointed out that our world doesn't work the way the rest of the world works. We can't fix it for everyone, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to make a difference when and where we can. We're role models for a reason. We have influence and power for a purpose. I'll use my privilege to fight for this woman any fucking day of the week.
But it shouldn't stop there, and it won't. One way or another, I'm going to make sure that women in this field are safe from motherfuckers like him. They won't go to work dreading their jobs every damn day like she did for a year. They deserve a safe place here, and I'll help carve one out for them, even if it means strongarming every motherfucker like Darren Smith out of the door to do it.
"There's more," Kelsey says when Jamie finally pulls back, her composure firmly in place.
She's fucking strong. Christ, I don't think she even realizes how strong she is or how much I admire her. Nothing keeps her down for long. She picks herself right back up and keeps fighting. She's been doing it all damn year, and she's been doing it alone. Never again. I didn't protect her well enough. I won't make that mistake again.
"What?" I growl to Kelsey.
"They want her back, and so does ESPN," she says, her voice soft.
Jamie flinches.
"The head of the network said the job is hers if she wants it. They're offering a raise if she'll come back." Kelsey's poker face gives nothing away, but I already know the offer is impressive. It's the only way they have a shot in hell of getting her back, and they know it. "It's almost six figures a year."
"Jesus," I mutter.
"No," Jamie says, her voice clear and firm. She doesn't even hesitate. "I don't want it."
"Jamie."
"No, Jonas." She reaches up, placing her fingers over my lips. "I didn't quit solely because of Darren. I quit because it's not what I want to do with my life. It's not the stories I want to tell or the way I want to feel at the end of the day. I grew up with a dad who reported on sports moments that mattered. That's my dream. They can throw all the money they want at me, but it won't change what I want."
Well, shit.
"Then I have something else to talk to you about," Kelsey says.
We both turn to look at her, only to find her grinning.
"We're looking to add another reporter to our Broadcasting Team," she says, watching Jamie intently. "And they think you'd be a perfect fit."
"Are you serious?" Jamie asks, her eyes wide. "They want to hire me?"
"They do." Kelsey beams at her. "You're an amazing reporter, Jamie. And these guys know you. Kelly Strauss, the head of the team, thinks you'd be a great addition. If you want the spot, it's yours. It doesn't pay nearly as much as what they were offering you, but you'll be doing pre- and post-game and rinkside reporting and covering special events and training camps." She shifts her gaze in my direction, an amused smile dancing at her lips. "You'll travel with the team."