Possible to meet today? I have an idea.
Chapter 27
WARD
Ward sauntered down Fifth Avenue to the address Hannah had provided, and when he spotted the store she was standing in front of, his expression immediately became guarded.
‘Thisis your big idea?’ he asked, defensively shoving his hands in his jeans pocket.
‘You said you were on board. Time to prove it.’ She offered him a winning smile and held out her hand. ‘The first step in our great Ward McKenzie upgrade. Hand it over.’
He groaned. ‘How did I know you were going to say that … ?’ He pulled the Nokia out of his pocket. ‘This thing and I go way back, you know.’
Barking a laugh, she took the device from him. ‘I’m honestly surprised it still works. It evenlookslike a hockey puck.’ She shook her head. ‘At some point, the service will just stop, so let’s pull the plaster off and get this over with. Come on.’
She turned on her heel and opened the glass door of the famed flagship Apple store.
Ward sighed and took a few slow steps forward, a slight smile playing across his lips. ‘I’m assuming I don’t have a choice … ’
‘Not even a little one. Time to stop the dinosaur act – if you still want a career, that is.’
Inside, an Apple Genius had already spotted the flip phone and zeroed in on his mark, knowing a sale and a new monthly subscription were easy pickings.
Ward threw her a rueful glance over his shoulder, though she noticed that, despite himself, his eyes flickered with intrigue as he turned the latest phone model over in his hands, considering its sleek design.
‘Your fans are going to love this,’ she told him. ‘Finally, we can get you a direct line to them so you get to control the narrative.’
Or more to the point, I do.
‘I don’t see why I can’t just use one of my team shots. Isn’t that the point? People know me as a pro player, right?’ Ward complained when, afterwards, he and Hannah grabbed some food in a quiet, non-descript diner a few blocks away.
But today, his remonstrations didn’t sound so much whiny but rather playful, and this more relaxed version of him was the one she recognized from that first day in Frank’s.
The very one that had made her completely tongue-tied.
She’d commandeered his shiny new phone and was currently in the process of setting up social media channels, adding a profile pic and whatnot. Her fingers worked expertly as she focused her attention on the screen. Having snapped a few candid pictures of him in situ at the restaurant, she was now editing accordingly.
‘That’s where you’re wrong. Everyone sees youonlyas a hockey player. It’s the only way they know you – and I think we can both agree that image isn’t altogether positive. What we want them to see is the human side of you. The guy beneath the hockey uniform.’ Then Hannah winced a little, wishing the words she’d chosen didn’t sound quite so … suggestive.
But luckily he didn’t seem to notice her embarrassment.
‘I hate that social media crap, everyone screaming for attention like a bunch of performing seals. Look at my house, my vacation, my kids, my stupid dog … Who the hell cares?’
‘It’s not the same. You’re a public figure, yet from what I can tell you’ve never even attempted to connect with your fans. Think of all those kids growing up dreaming of being you, idolising you, grown men and women too,’ and as she briefly met his gaze, Hannah realized he was watching her face, as if studying her reaction. ‘For some reason,’ she added archly, ‘regardless, you’re a hero to lots of people.’
Then just as quickly, the mask was back. ‘That shit is for narcissists. I don’t need anyone blowing smoke up my ass.’
So Hannah changed tack. ‘Look, what we’re trying to dismantle is this negative, toxic macho image of you that’s been perpetuated so far. Nobody thinks to question whether it’s true because there’s never been a counterpoint. Which basically means that you’ve never had any say in how people perceive you, Ward. You’ve left it all to other people, the media or whatever, so they’re always the ones in control. Not you. Which surprises me, to be honest, because if there’s one thing I’ve learned about you it’s that you prefer to do things on your own terms.’
He seemed to think about this for a second, and when he nodded gruffly, she figured her words had landed. Selecting a shot she liked and making it his profile picture, she then handed him back the device. ‘So take back control.’
‘OK, but what do I even do with this thing?’ He held the phone like it was a ticking time bomb. ‘All sounds straightforward in theory but what the hell do I say?’
‘Just whatever you’re comfortable with but keep it on brand.I’ve watched some of your post-game interviews, you’re good at that and your passion for the game shines through. So talk about sports, comment on other games, players or whatever. But in aniceway, which goes without saying, I hope.’
He grinned. ‘No trash talk. OK, I can be nice when I need to.’
‘You sure about that?’ Hannah laughed. ‘But if you’re ever uncertain, probably easier to think about what youdon’tsay. Definitely no wading into commentary on politics or culture wars, no matter how tempted you might be. Think of that stuff like the kids’ table at a party otherwise filled with adults. You don’t want to be whining and squabbling in the corner with a bunch of toddlers, trying to solve an argument with rational thinking. Nope, just stay sitting at the grown-ups’ table, OK?’
