"And thank you, Ms. Jones, for clearing the air and Mr. Henry's reputation," Tanner Suarez says. "It's important for the USSL to be composed of players of integrity, and it seems as if Mr. Henry possesses such character."
I'm so confused.
"What are you saying, and Phaedra, why are you part of this meeting? How did you know about all this going on?" I ask.
"Tanner, if you don't mind, I'll go first so I can sign off," Phaedra says. "I've been out of the public for a while now since I went into rehab. I only downloaded ClikClak when I got out and was into my recovery. I particularly enjoyed the dating exploits of a certain American Clakker, who I found to be quite amusing. Then, a few weeks ago, the internet proved what a small world it is when I realized that Lovely Lia was married to the person I needed to apologize to. Well, when the ESPN story broke, I knew I had to step forward to make amends. I knew you'd never take my calls. Then I got a message from Lovely Lia—er, Ophelia— asking for help, and voilà! I'm here. But now I'll be signing off while you do your football business. Xavier, next time you're back in England, let's do lunch. I'd love to catch up."
And with that, the screen goes black.
I try to process all she just said. "Ophelia? Ophelia contacted Phaedra?" I don't even know I've said it out loud. "This doesn't make any sense. Why would Ophelia reach out to Phaedra?"
Bjorn stands up. "She's been quite busy, and quite persuasive too." He drops a stack of papers on the table in front of me.
"What are these?"
"The emails and documentation to refute nearly every single point in the ESPN article. I had several phone conversations with her, and at my request, she sent these over to me with alarming volume and speed. She can be charming, yet with dogged determination, as you well know. One would never expect that level of tenacity from her."
He should try spending nearly three days in a hotel room with her.
This is all happening at breakneck speed. The Buzzards obviously knew Phaedra and Ophelia had information to clear my name and reputation. Why didn't they say something before Camacho terminated my contract?
Miller nods to his lawyer who slides another folder down to me.
"What's this?"
"One-point-two for three years plus the standard bonuses."
Camacho's face turns as red as a tomato. "You can't be serious."
Miller looks at him, calm and cool. "You terminated him. In fact, you were happy to do it with an audience simply to humiliate him. You specifically asked Tanner Suarez to be here to verify the legitimacy of the contract termination. That was your request, not ours. It was a bonus that Phaedra Jones asked for his witness as well. And since Xavier is unsigned and unattached to a team, we are free to sign him, as a non-citizen player, right now. I think that's all we need from you. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out, Vin."
There is a moment of stunned silence before Camacho leaves in a huff. Miller turns back to me. "I understand if you want to have your representative look at these, but I also am under the impression that you are currently without representation."
I know I should have someone look at them, but I also don't want to miss this chance. I'm fairly confident I'm dreaming and that when I wake, this will all be gone. "Is this a dream?"
"Can I offer a solution?" Callaghan Entay steps up. "My agent, Justice Williams, would be more than happy to look at it and represent you. He's expecting your call."
I look around the room, still certain this isn't real. Kenley's there, grinning from ear to ear. "Ken, what's going on? I don't understand … how … why …"
The door opens at the far end of the room and Ophelia walks in with a tall brunette I've never seen before. Ophelia, dressed in an oversized ivory cable knit jumper and black leggings, is a sight for sore eyes. "Don't be mad at me for sticking my nose in. I … I had to fix this. And you know me. Before I could stop and think, I was messaging Phaedra and Hannah and emailing Bjorn when Mr. Miller wouldn't take my calls."
I don't know who Hannah is, and I really don't care. I'm on my feet and closing the distance between Ophelia and me in four long strides. I encircle her in my arms, picking her right up off the floor.
Her legs wrap around me, as they usually do, and it's enough to make me forget where I am. I bring her mouth to mine, hoping that my kiss can say what my brain cannot yet put into words.
Breathless, I pull back. "You did this for me?"
She looks deep into my eyes. "Of course I did. It was grand gesture time."
"You found Phaedra Jones."
"Technically, she found me first, but I did contact her and ask her to do this. I also found out lots of juicy info about Tony, none of which implicates you. Also, much to the chagrin of ClikClak, I'm not actually a sex worker. Not that there's anything wrong with that."
I kiss her again because I've missed this. I've missed her. And I love her.
"Ahem, are you two finished?" Miller asks. I hear him mutter, "So much for the marriage being just for show."
"One more thing," I say. "Thank you. I can't believe you did this for me. Why though?"
