“You think she’s gay too?”

“No, she just doesn’t have time for it,” he said sadly, and Vaughn rolled his eyes. He didn’t understand Jensen’s obsession with their best friend’s sister, but it was borderline disgusting. The girl wanted nothing but friendship from both of them. Vaughn got it; why didn’t Jensen? Why did he want more with someone who wanted nothing to do with the male gender?

“And that’s the reason you won’t go out, because you’re hung up on her. Some silly high school crush.”

Jensen flicked him off. “Fuck you.”

“Love you too, smooches,” he teased just as his phone rang. Pulling it out of his pocket as Tricksie barked happily to his ring tone, he saw it was his boss, Elli Adler. “Shit, it’s boss lady.” Jensen’s brow rose as Vaughn hit answer. “Hey, boss, how’s it going?”

“Hey, Vaughn, how are you?”

“Just fine, hanging out with my pup and Jensen.”

“Sounds like a lazy evening.”

“It is,” he agreed with a smile. “To what do I owe this friendly call? Are you inviting me to dinner because you can cook and I love your food?”

She laughed. “You know my house is always open, but that’s not why I’m calling.”

Her laughter dropped, and he knew something else was up. He had a great relationship with Elli and her husband, Shea. Shea was the one who convinced Vaughn to come play for the Assassins. They were good people, and he loved the family atmosphere of the Assassins. Shea and Elli were the heart of the team, and because of that, he had gotten close to them. So he knew right off that something was up.

“Oh?”

“Yup,” she said softly, clearing her throat. “Listen, I hate getting on to you guys, but y’all are my team, my family, and the way you handled that interview with Brie Soledad was unacceptable.”

Vaughn’s head fell back, but he kept in his groan. Brie Soledad was the bane of his existence. “I’m sorry, Elli. I swear, she asks the dumbest questions, and I get so damn mad because I hate doing them—”

“It doesn’t matter. You’re supposed to be professional. I know the questions are basic, but you have to answer them out of respect for Brie because you are the damn face of my team,” she said, her voice tight and hard. She was pissed and he understood why. But at the same time, come on! Ask better questions.

“I’m sorry. You’re right.”

“I know, and I want you to know we are fining you five thousand dollars for each curse word you used.”

His jaw fell open. “How many did I use?”

“Four.”

Damn it! He wasn’t hurting for money, but still.

“And every time you do this, I will fine you. People love listening to you, hearing you talk, and getting your insight, which is why you are on interview duty so much. I depend on you to do a good job on and off the ice. And if you can’t, then maybe we need to renegotiate where we are going in our relationship, which hurts me to say because you know I love you dearly.”

“I know,” he said, cupping his face in his hands. Tricksie must have sensed his dismay because she whimpered as she crawled in his lap, licking his chin. “I promise it won’t happen again.”

“Good, I hope you keep that promise.”

“I will.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry to ruin your relaxing evening.”

“I’m sorry I’m an asshole.”

She laughed. “It’s part of your charm.”

They said good-bye, and he hung up, shaking his head as Jensen asked, “What happened?”

“I’m being fined for the poor choice of words I used during my interview with that brat of a reporter.”

Jensen’s face scrunched up in confusion. “Who?”

“Brie!”

“Brie? The reporter for the team?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, she’s hot.”

“She’s a bitch. I bet she’s the one who pushed for the fine. She’s such a pain in the ass and hates me, for no damn reason. Yeah, I’m difficult, but she asks lame questions and then walks around like the hottest shit. It’s annoying.”

“Her questions for me weren’t lame. They were good. She seems smart.”

“Yeah, okay, she’s a spoiled little brat, someone who probably grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth. She annoys the living fuck out of me.” Jensen just stared at him as Vaughn shook his head. “I just don’t get it. What’s her deal with me? Like, why can’t she stay in her lane, leave me the fuck alone?”

“Just an innocent bystander, but I think you get in her lane, and you went douche on her.”

“Whose side are you on?”

Jensen held his hands up. “Yours, of course.”

“Fine, then she’s a bitch.”

“I can’t say that. She was really nice to me.”

“She’s a bitch to me.”

“Probably ’cause you ruin her interviews.”

“Because they’re dumb!”

“Okay, baby Vaughn, are you ready for dinnertime? And then we can come home and you can take a nap?”

“I hate you,” he muttered, standing up and throwing his hands up. “I don’t want to do stupid interviews. Ask me something with substance.”

“Maybe you should say that to her nicely, instead of cussing and calling her dumb.”

“I didn’t call her dumb,” he said, his face wrinkled up.

“Yes, you did, I heard you. Which is probably why Elli is so pissed.”

Grumbling, he kicked the floor in frustration. Brie Soledad was a thorn in his side. She couldn’t ask an original question to save her perfectly shaped ass, not that he was looking. Or ever looked. Or ever noticed that she had great tits and a mouth that was begging to be kissed. Or that he really liked her as a blonde, more so than the caramel color she’d had the previous year. She was hot, he wouldn’t lie, but she was such a snotty bitch that he couldn’t even stand her.

Not that he really knew her, but still…he didn’t like her.

He hated her, and he really hated that he had upset Elli. He loved Elli, and he wouldn’t let that chick ruin his relationship with his boss. He had a great one with her, and while he’d rather continue being an asshole to Brie Soledad, he’d suck in his pride. He’d treat her with respect. He knew better, but there was something about her that made him twitch. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he wouldn’t upset Elli. He’d do right by her.