“Nice of you to join us, Gabe,” Ricardo calls out when we enter, sitting on the other side of Chase’s agent.
Grant takes the lead and defends my temporary absence. “Gabrielle was in Atlanta with our all-stars.”
“Why are you here?” I ask. Ricardo is a talent scout. He’s not involved in this, or at least he shouldn’t be.
“This is my boy. I scouted him. I earned a spot at this table.” Pompous ass.
“While I respect your role in getting him on the team, your job ended when that happened. This conversation is confidential and privileged. I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Only vital personnel can remain in this room.” I take a seat directly across from Chase at the table. Taylor sits to my left. “That goes for your team as well, Mary. You can stay, but the assistants leave.”
“I have to leave, but your little friend here can stay? I don’t think so.” Ricardo takes a swipe at me.
“Taylor is critical to the crisis management piece of this plan. You are not.”
“Taylor stays,” Grant says with finality, taking a seat.
“Ricardo stays as well.” Mark glares at me, daring me to object again. Fucking boy’s club.
“Fine,” I grit out, knowing when to pick my battles. Taylor glares at Mark and Ricardo biting her tongue.
“Let’s get started.” Grant starts the meeting, folding his hands on the table in front of him while speaking directly to Chase. “Mr. Bennett, we are extremely disappointed with the choices you have made and your behavior. It is not in line with the Music City organization, nor is reflective of the values of theMLB.” To his credit, Chase maintains eye contact and looks rightfully contrite.
George, Chase’s attorney, immediately begins speaking when Grant pauses. “My client regrets his?—”
Chase cuts him off, addressing Grant directly. “I understand, sir. There’s no excuse for my behavior and I take full responsibility for my actions. I will accept whatever penalties the team and law enforcement feel are appropriate.” His eyes shift to me at the end of his response. His expression is solemn if not a little ashamed.
“That’s good to hear,” Ben, the GM pipes up. “The league will also likely assess a suspension. They can’t let this go unpunished with the headlines as they are.” Chase nods, dropping his head to stare at the table.
Mark speaks next in a harsh tone to Chase and his team. “The league has already stated they’ll suspend you from games. They haven’t decided how long. It depends on how the charges shake out.”
It’s impossible for him to know whether the MLB will suspend Chase or not. They haven’t even opened an investigation yet. I know because I called their office on the plane. This is nothing more than a scare tactic and an attempt to intimidate Chase.
Mark continues with a smug grin as if he has the upper hand. “There’s also the matter of your contract and the morality clause. Now, Ricardo has gone to bat for you, and Coach Crenshaw speaks highly of your performance thus far. I think we can lean towards probation instead of breach. Again, depending how the charges go with the district attorney.”
“I believe Gabrielle has a solution.” Grant leans back in his chair, crossing an ankle over his knee and nodding his head in my direction. Chase’s head pops up to look at me. I can’t help but squirm in my seat at the intensity of his stare. All eyes are on me, so I can’t think about that right now.
“Yes, I do. I spoke with the district attorney on my way over.”
“How did I not know about this?” Mark questions, anger flashing across his face at being shown up in front of all these people.
“You were busy handling things here. You told me to handle the mess, so that’s what I did.” This man grates on my nerves. He’s barely ever in the office and the one time I’m not, he’s here and wants to swing his dick. I just hope Grant takes note of how things have been running around here.
Grant has been a silent partner for the better part of my time here, but last year he moved to Nashville permanently and started showing up in the office every week. Now, he’s an active part of the leadership team and in every major meeting, even some not so important meetings. His investment in the front office and presence with the team is a big part of the Troubadours’ success over the past two seasons. As a retired player himself, he knows the game inside and out. His wealth and management only serve to propel the organization forward at speeds never seen before. He’s building an empire. A household name in baseball.
The fact that he still has people like Mark and Ricardo on staff is surprising to me after everything else I’ve seen from him.
Taylor pointedly looks at Mark and then back to Grant in silent communication, showing a different level of connection between them that I’m dying to understand, but likely never will. She’s a vault where he’s concerned.
“I’d like to hear your plan,” Chase says with a small smile, encouraging me to continue, which makes it very difficult to stay mad at him.
“Right, well you’re in a lot of trouble. A felony charge for the horse. Two misdemeanors for drunk and disorderly and public intoxication.
“A felony for riding a horse down the street? Absurd.” Mark shakes his head.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Ricardo’s outburst draws everyone’s attention. Chase mutters something under his breath I don’t quite catch.
“You must have made a good impression on the officers when they finally caught up to you because they noted your cooperation in their report.” I try to ignore Ricardo and keep the meeting on track. Since I’m not paying attention, Ricardo says it again.
“It was a harmless prank, Gabriel. A felony for a prank. You can’t be serious.”
