She hesitates for a long moment. “Most of them, yes.”
Kennedy doesn’t have to explain. I’m Harrison’s direct superior and he can’t even find it in him to respect me. I’m sure she’s been on the receiving end of his patronizing comments a time or two.
“I’m taking care of that,” I attempt to reassure her without being too descriptive of my plan.
She nods in agreement.
“And Natalie, is she doing okay in her new role?” I ask, referring to the new athletic trainer Kennedy hired to replace her former position. “Is there anything I can do for her?”
Kennedy gains this proud smile on her lips. “She’s doing well. She’s a hard worker. Smart. Driven. And the boys are officiallygiving her shit in the training room when they come in for treatment, which means they like her.”
“She sounds a lot like you.”
“Well, I think we both know it takes a certain personality and...backboneto be a woman in this industry.”
“That it does.” There’s a hint of exhaustion in my tone.
She cocks her head to the side, studying me. “And how are you doing?”
“I thought I was heading up this meeting, Dr. Rhodes? I’m supposed to be the one checking in on you.”
“Yes, but if you’re in charge of everyone else, then who are you supposed to vent to? Just because you’re the boss, doesn’t mean you can’t bitch every once in a while. So let’s hear it.”
Sitting back in the chair, she wears this cheeky, knowing smile that reminds me far too much of the one I always see on her husband.
She has a point. They don’t say “it’s lonely at the top” for nothing, but that’s what I signed up for with this career. You get a lot of criticism simply from being a team owner, but then you add in my being the first woman in the role. Even more so, you add in that I’m running the baseball operations of this franchise too, and it’s just been a lot of hate. Or at least, that’s what it feels like.
The hateful ones are always the loudest.
But Kennedy is still my employee, and as much as I believe she’ll understand having to deal with some of these same sentiments herself, it’s still my responsibility to shoulder. I don’t want the criticism I receive to affect anyone working under me.
“It’s been...” I search for my words carefully. “Loud.”
Loud headlines. Loud naysayers. Loud doubts that come creeping into my own mind sometimes.
“I get that. I see the headlines online. Try your best not to listen to them. The only people who truly know how this club isoperating and how well you’re doing are the ones who work for you.”
She hasn’t been in the advisory board meetings to know that not everyone who works for me thinks I’m doing all that great.
“Thanks, Kennedy. I appreciate that.”
“Well, thank you for the meeting.” She stands from her seat. “It’s nice to have these monthly catch-ups.”
“Of course. But if anything comes up before the next one, you know where to find me.”
“Thanks, Reese. Will I see you at the team potluck next weekend?”
“No,” I quickly answer. “I’ll let the players have their fun.”
“I’m not a player and I’m going. My entire staff is going. You should come. It’s always a good time and a nice way to get to know people outside of the office.”
I offer her a thankful smile. “It’s a little different for me.”
As in, no one wants their boss, the person who signs your paycheck, the person who determines the fate of your career, around when you’re just trying to have a good time with your friends.
“Well, if you change your mind, you know where we’ll be,” she says on the way out of my office, passing the still-empty receptionist desk. “Have a good day, Reese.”
I haven’t made too many public moves yet, mostly just been working on cleaning up things on the back end. But promoting Kennedy Rhodes to lead doctor last season was my first big decision, and I’m happy to say I haven’t second-guessed that choice once.
