You’d think he’d be good at sports ’cause his dad owns a football team.
Looks like he eats the football instead of throwing it.
Trevor had been his only friend, but he was on the squash team and always had practice. He’d sit in the stands and watch Trevor play, wishing he could be so athletic and have people cheer him on.
Away at college, he and Trevor would go to parties, but once Trevor met Marianne and they started dating, Armi wouldn’t goby himself and spent his free time walking around the campus, even in the coldest winter months. The excess weight dropped, and though he’d kept it off, he never got over the stigma of being that chubby kid in gym class, standing alone. Laughed at and last to be picked.
The doorbell rang, and Armi wiped his sweaty hands on his pants. He peered through the peephole and opened the door. “Mother. What’re you doing here?”
She breezed inside. “Hello to you too. I was hoping we could have lunch and talk about that terrible article.” He followed her to the front parlor but didn’t sit.
“I, uh, there’s nothing to talk about. I’m working on a rebuttal.”
“Oh? What’re you going to say?”
“I-I don’t know yet. I’m still working it out.”
The bell rang again, and his heart pounded. “I’ll get it.”
“Are you expecting someone?” She trailed after him.
He opened the door, and Hayden strode past him. “All right, I’m ready to get down and dirty.” He stopped in the middle of the hall. “Oh. Mrs. Winters. Hello.”
Hayden had changed into a dark-blue polo and a pair of black skinny jeans. He carried a backpack and slid it off his shoulder. Armi caught his mother’s smile, and his stomach cramped.
“Hayden. Hi. Come in. Uh, my mother stopped by unexpectedly.”
“And now she’s leaving,” she stated.
Hayden frowned. “Please don’t let me chase you away. We were going to work on a response to that article.”
“Good. But too many cooks and all that. I’ll leave it in your very capable hands. I’m sure you know best, Hayden. After all, it’s your job. Armand, I’ll call you.”
And with that, she disappeared.
Hayden closed the door behind her. “Did I miss something?”
“No. My mother’s just being funny. Or at least thinks she is,” Armi huffed. “I figure we’ll work in the family room. I got sandwiches for lunch if we get hungry.”
“Sounds good. I’m ready.”
**
Three hours later, Armi groaned and rolled his shoulders. “Oh, God. That was brutal.”
“But we did it,” Hayden said with supreme satisfaction and hit a few more keys on his laptop before closing it. “This should shut Price up and let other reporters know not to mess with you again.”
It all sounded good, but there were still so many unknowns. “What if it backfires and he gets angry? Maybe he’ll write an even worse story the next time.”
Hayden’s smile was grim. “Let him try. As it is,City Newsis banned from any scoops or information about the team. They can fuck off.”
Armi’s lips twitched. “You’re so passionate about an organization you’ve barely worked for.”
“When I believe in something, or someone, I give a thousand percent of myself. You didn’t deserve what Price said. I know how hard you’re trying.” Their eyes met, and Armi’s stomach tightened. Hayden set the laptop aside and got to his feet. “Howabout a beer to celebrate? We’ve gone through the club soda and the first bag of chips. I’m ready for something stronger and a sandwich.”
“Yeah, sure.” Armi blew out a breath when Hayden left the room, and cradled his head in his hands.
Why was he doing this to himself? He didn’t need the hassle—everything would be easier if he simply did what people expected and wanted him to. Quit and let the others take over.
