“I did warn you.” Rhys always liked to sayI told you so, usually with a big shit-eating grin on his ugly face, which he was managing to hide right now under the pretence of being professional.
There was no point responding. Jade had made up a story to sell, painting herself in the light she wanted to be seen in, casting me as the villain. I’d read it at stupid o’clock this morning, when I’d been woken by Rhys’ assistant telling me I had to get to the stadium ground for this meeting. When I’d asked why, she’d told me to Google myself.
I’d ignored the media while we were on holiday. I hired someone to manage my social media accounts, adding the odd post when it was something more personal, and even though my season had been a hundred-percenter, after ten years as a professional footballer, I’d learned not to read pundits’ opinions in the press.
Which meant this morning had been a bit of a surprise.
“Rowan’s solicitor is involved already. We’re researching if we can sue Ms Young. The timing of the other photos are unfortunate.” Rhys reached under the table and pinched what he could of the skin on my thigh hard – a sign to shut the fuck up.
I had no idea my solicitor was involved, clearly something else Rhys was taking care of.
Rhys continued without missing a beat, “But this is all solvable, and we can use it to our advantage.”
He was trying to gloss over it.
Guy stared at me in a way that made me feel he was analysing my soul. “You should pursue it with Ms Young and the paper. You do need to defend your image on this one, Rowan. Goals and assists aren’t going to be enough to clear up the image you now have.” His accent sounded even more French than usual. “Genevieve, where are you up to with the media?”
Pretty green eyes looked up from the tablet in front of her. “The party line is that Rowan was single – Jade doing a tell-all has actually helped in that case – and entitled to enjoy himself, and that he’s also entitled to his privacy.” Her eyes narrowed. “Having sex with a woman on a sun lounger in full view probably wasn’t your wisest move though.”
I rubbed my forehead. “It was a private party. I didn’t know her friend was going to take photos and post them.”
“That’s the problem, Rowan, you can never know when someone’s going to do that. You were our record signing, you’re on our record wages. We’ve taught you to always think the worst of people who you don’t know well, or can’t be vouched for, until you know them better. You’re not stupid, but the holiday photos are damaging to your image, as is Jade’s interview. We have damage control to do.” Guy’s jaw stiffened and his eyes had that dark gleam to them that usually made me want to stay well away.
I shrugged. “I understand what you’ve said – I have shit taste in women and I didn’t make a good choice at the party.” No point in trying to bullshit my way through that.
Genevieve shook her head. “How can you have sex in front of other people? Never mind, you’re a footballer. Therefore, you have a whole different set of rules.”
She was right. Money, fame and adoration were a toxic combination. When you heard fans chanting your name in the stadium, saw your name on banners and shirts, encountered women making themselves available for you when you wanted, you couldn’t be untouched by it. For a kid who grew up playing footy on the fields of Newcastle, whose mam couldn’t afford to buy him new boots, it was a lot.
“I apologise on behalf of all footballers. What damage has been done?” I had the sense not to argue with her. You didn’t argue with Genevieve.
“There’s questions in the press whether you can handle the pressure of your price tag – but that’s been on and off since you joined us.” She checked her tablet. “A lot of backlash from fans about your behaviour on holiday – ‘you’re paid to be an example’, which you are.” She looked up at me, still glaring. “And a lot of negativity from women’s groups following on from Jade’s interview and the photographs. That’s not what you need. Or what the club needs.”
I took another deep breath. She was right. Manchester Athletic portrayed itself as being family friendly and a community-based club. Rory Baines, the owner, had invested not only in the campus, but the surrounding area, regenerating what had been a run-down, historically industrial area of the city, only the industry wasn’t there anymore. Families were encouraged, the club had a ton of junior football schools for kids too.
“We have a few weeks until the season starts…”
That wasn’t a sentence I was going to let Genevieve finish. “We have one week until pre-season training starts. You know how intensive that gets. Whatever you’re about to say, keep that in mind.”
Rhys’ hand patted my back. “I’m sure Genevieve has taken all that into consideration. We all have an interest in how you’re perceived – just like your sponsors.”
I wanted to tell Rhys that I didn’t give a shit about my sponsors, but that wasn’t true. My mam had brought me up on her own – me, my little brother, and our younger sister. My wages and the income from sponsorships made sure the life we’d lived back then was just a bad dream, and the future, especially my sister’s, was comfortable. She had severe learning difficulties and required round the clock support. While our mam was heavily involved, she couldn’t manage on her own, so the first thing my income did was provide for them. I had no intention of their quality of life changing, unless it was for the better.
I swallowed again. “What’s your plan?”
Genevieve glanced at Guy. She’d probably not had chance to run this past him yet. “There are two options. You lie low and keep out of the media, hoping it blows over, go legal with Jade. But that will take longer and after the issue with the fight last season, where we used that tactic, it’s going to leave you open to a lot more speculation and scrutiny. We’ve already had journos digging for comments on your sister, and your ex before Jade.” Genny had always managed to stop the media from digging into my family’s background. I had no idea how. Maybe she baked them cakes or sent choirs round to serenade them; I didn’t know how. I was just grateful.
“What’s the second option?” Rhys leaned forward.
She glanced again at Guy. “We work proactively. Get Rowan in front of the cameras but in situations that promote the image we all want him to have. I do know how intensive pre-season training can be and we won’t be looking at cutting into any of that.”
Guy nodded. “And if you’re busy with this, you won’t have a chance to get in any more trouble.”
“What do you want me to do?”
The look Genevieve gave Rhys did not fill me with joy.
“The answer’s no.”
