Gavin laid his arm over Mick’s shoulders. “I’ve never seen you give up on anything. You’ve fucked up a lot of things in your life.”
Mick laughed. “Thanks.”
Gavin gave him a wry grin. “You know what I mean. You’ve dug yourself up from below the dirt before, Mick. And if you love Tara, then don’t give up on her. If she’s scared or hurt, then make it right.”
“I’ll try. I have to try. She means everything to me.”
“Then quit sitting here like a whiny * and go do something about it.”
Mick laughed. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“That’s why I’m here.”
The door opened. Mick and Gavin both lifted their heads as Elizabeth walked through.
“I assume you’re decent.”
Mick clenched his fists at the sound of Elizabeth’s voice. She hadn’t tried to contact him since that night when he’d threatened to fire her. Wise move on her part.
Gavin turned to Mick and lifted his brows.
“Gavin, I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Just came by to say hi to Mick.”
Elizabeth strolled in, looking calm and beautiful as usual in a gray business suit, high heels, her hair pulled back, and two diamond earrings sparkling in the lights of the locker room.
“Need a ride to the hotel? Bus will be leaving for the airport soon.”
He turned to face her. “No.”
“I need to talk to you.”
“This isn’t a good time.”
“It’s as good a time as any.” She looked over at Gavin. “Can I have a word with your brother alone?”
“Anything you have to say to me you can say in front of Gavin.”
Gavin stood, leaned against the lockers, and crossed his arms, looking amused.
Elizabeth looked from Gavin to Mick. Her easy demeanor vanished.
“Okay, fine.” She turned her attention on Mick. “Look, I know I screwed up. I’m sorry. Did you see the sportscast? I fixed things.”
“You did. Tara appreciated it.”
She inhaled, blew out a breath. “I’m glad. I’m sorry, Mick. It won’t happen again. I’ve always been interested in doing what’s best for your career, in seeing you rise to the top.”
He zipped up his bag, then lifted his gaze to her. “You’ve always been interested in making sure your clients earn top dollar, so in return you can earn top dollar. You want your clients to be cream of the crop because it makes you look good. Frankly, Liz, I’m not sure if you’re more interested in making us look good, or yourself.”
She blanched. “That’s not true. I only want what’s best for you.”
“If you cared about what was best for me, you would have known Tara was good for me. You would have cared about how I felt about her. You would have cared about Nathan’s welfare. All you cared about was getting Tara and Nathan out of my life so you could shove the next actress or model on my arm for a photo op.”
She lifted her hand to her chest. “No. I do care about you, Mick. I always have. I might not have done this right, but I do care about you. And Gavin. And all my clients.”
“Bullshit. You love the money, the prestige, and the power. You don’t give a shit about your clients. And you sure as hell don’t give a shit about me, Elizabeth.”
Mick picked up his bag and shifted his gaze to Gavin. “Give me a ride to Mom and Dad’s? I’ll take a later plane home. Figure I should stop by and visit.”
Gavin nodded. “Sure.”
He headed toward the door, stopped in front of Elizabeth.
“According to my contract I have to give you thirty days’ notice. Consider it given. You’re fired, Elizabeth.”
Liz gasped.
Mick walked out, leaving Gavin alone with Liz.
She sat on the bench, her chin at her chest.
Gavin didn’t know what to say to make her feel better. Hell, she probably didn’t deserve to feel better. She’d screwed over his brother and Tara and Nathan. She deserved this.
She lifted her head, and tears shimmered in her eyes.
Elizabeth was the toughest woman he’d ever known. Nothing rocked her. In all the years he’d known her, he’d never seen her cry.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. Gavin wasn’t sure she was even talking to him.
“No, I imagine you didn’t. You’re going to take a hit losing Mick as a client.”
She shook her head. “Not that. I didn’t mean to hurt him, Gavin. He’s not just a client. He’s my friend and has been for a very long time. Or ... was my friend. He isn’t now. I’ve lost clients before. Losing his friendship will hurt me more than anything.”
She lifted her gaze to his, the shimmer of tears making his gut clench.
“I don’t have many friends.” She let out a soft laugh. “I think I’m beginning to understand why.”
She stood and came over to him, her eyes liquid pools of blue. Her body came so close to his her breasts brushed against his chest. She lifted a shaky hand to his face and swept her fingers across his jaw, then traced his bottom lip with the tip of her finger.