Page 8 of Focusing on Marigold

“You okay back there, Marigold?” Jake turned to look at her. “You went rather quiet.”

“I’m fine.” Marigold licked her lips. “I was...well, wishing that I hadn’t been an idiot. I feel like I caused a scene.”

“The only one who caused a scene was Trey.” Nathan grunted. “He knew what he was doing. That bastard likes the sound of his own voice.”

“And he likes to push it.” Darren grumbled. “I shudder to think how Allison’s feeling right now with her sister turning up on that bastard’s arm.”

“It’s a lot of dedication to go somewhere you know your ex-boyfriend is going to be so you can make him jealous and get back together.” Nathan shook his head as he turned the car at the intersection. “That’s just pathetic, if you ask me.”

“Especially when we know how pissed off Stephen is about it all.” Jake said. “I’ve had to stop her from coming into the rink several times since Stephen broke it off. She just doesn’t seem to comprehend that she’s not wanted.”

Marigold agreed with that. Robyn Grey was not the type of person who let things happen out of her control. She had to be in charge. If someone else did something, she threw a tantrum and chose to ignore it until she got her own way. She was a grown woman and behaved like a spoiled teenager. Marigold struggled to understand how she and Allison were sisters; they were pretty much the opposite of each other.

She did think that Stephen was better away from that toxic mess.

“I don’t think Stephen’s going to have anything to do with her tonight.” Nathan chuckled. “I saw her getting into a car with Leon and Stephen just as I was pulling out. Whatever Robyn was planning on doing, it didn’t work.”

Marigold smiled. It sounded like Allison’s evening was looking up. She could only hope that Stephen and Leon followed through trying to get Allison to stay. The two of them were nuts over her, and Allison didn’t seem to realize it. If she did, she was very good at hiding it.

She slumped back in her seat and closed her eyes, letting out a heavy sigh. Darren touched her hand.

“Marigold?”

“I’m okay. I’m just exhausted.” Marigold’s head was beginning to throb. “I feel like life is just sucking for me right now. Remind me never to date a sponsor again.”

Jake snorted.

“You shouldn’t have accepted a date to begin with. It’s always asking for trouble.”

“Isn’t that the same with every date we all go on? Everything is always asking for trouble.”

“Maybe, but when you work for a sports team and you date a sponsor, it’s never going to end well.”

“I think Marigold’s figured that out already, Jake.” Nathan pointed out. “There’s not much anyone can do right now. Trey Lofthouse is sadly here to stay.”

“Not necessarily.” Darren murmured.

Marigold opened her eyes and frowned at him.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I could always make the recommendation to drop him as a sponsor.” Darren shrugged. “I will need to find someone else to cover us so we’re not going to be left in the lurch, but I can ask for it.”

Marigold sat up.

“You...you would do that?”

“If he makes you uncomfortable, I can. His contract with us is up for renewal in June, anyway, and it’s to be expected that he will carry on. If I say we terminate and go with someone else, no one will question it.”

They could get rid of Trey’s sponsorship. That would be tough, seeing as he was a big part of the Vikings, and Trey also had shares. Even if they said they were going for a new venture, he would figure out why it had ended. Marigold didn’t want to go through that.

“Like I said, I can do it.” Darren was watching her. “You just need to say that word.”

He was leaving it up to her? Marigold didn’t want that sort of responsibility. She bit her lip.

“Can I think about it?”

Something flickered behind Darren’s eyes, but he nodded and squeezed her fingers.