“What else?” I ask.
She meets my gaze, my chest tightening. “There’s often a heightened interest in the lives of celebrities and pro athletes. People want to know them. I think the more we feed that, the more speculation it will create.”
“What if not saying anything will just make people like him dig harder?”
“I recommend someone from PR reach out to him today. Invite him to tour the locker rooms and give him some merch and great seats to the next game.”
“That’ll just encourage him,” Deb says.
“It’ll build loyalty,” Jules says. “And it’ll keep him busy. I’d give him an all-day tour and ask him to pose for a million photos. Show him every supply closet and concession area.”
“It’s a great idea,” Hanover says. “By the end of the day, our short statement will be out. That’s all we’re going to say. Coach, I’d even tell your players and staff to lean on the statement. Only repeat what’s in it or tell reporters to refer to it.”
“It’s only going to say we wish Macintire well in his recovery, right?”
He nods. “Absolutely. Nothing about being sorry, or our suspended player.”
“I agree. Is that it?”
“That’s it,” McClain says. “Get some rest. It’s a game day.”
“Should we meet again this afternoon?” Deb asks.
“No.” I’m already standing up to leave. “We have work to do for the game.”
Jules flicks her gaze to me, then tucks her long hair behind her ear and looks at the faces on the computer. “Deb, I’m here for anything you need. Unless you want me to come back. I won’t be filming content today.”
I answer before Deb can. “Stay. It’s good to have someone from PR with us.”
That’s just a bullshit excuse, but Deb nods her agreement. The meeting ends and Caroline, Shawn, Robbie, and Jules head for the door.
“Jules, can you stay a minute?” I say.
“Sure.”
Caroline turns to look at me from the doorway and says, “I’ll be upstairs.”
She’s catching a flight home in a few hours, and she didn’t have room in her bag for the Nanaimo bars she always brings home for her wife when she travels to Vancouver with the team. I’m swapping carry-on bags with her so she can take them.
Once Caroline leaves the room, Jules just looks at me, her lips set into a no-nonsense line.
I want to climb over the table, take her in my arms, and bury my face in her soft, sweet-smelling hair. Kiss her until she’s breathless. But the playful look I like to think is just for me is gone. Something’s different.
“Is everything okay?” I ask her.
She lowers her brows. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
Obstinance. Great. Like I’m not already in a shitty enough mood.
“How’s your nephew feeling?”
“He’s better.”
There’s a sharpness to her tone I’ve never heard before. I shouldn’t be in here alone with her, but with everything elsegoing on, I selfishly want to return to our conversation from the other night. She’s the only thing that feels good right now.
“I have another call,” she says, walking over to the door. “I’ll keep you updated on the PR stuff by text today.”
I want to tell her to be in the locker room tonight, just so I can look at her. But I have no good reason for it, so I stay silent. She leaves, and even though I know something’s wrong, I can’t go after her.
