Chapter 65
HANNAH
‘Well at least I’m out of my pyjamas,’ Hannah muttered to the cat as she slipped on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. ‘That’s progress, is it not?’
While she still was living under a form of involuntary house arrest – and existed in a state of limbo with her job – she had at least opened up the blinds, taken a shower, and started picking up after herself around the apartment. The sting of the very public embarrassment was there still, but Hannah recognized that she couldn’t keep acting like a mushroom.
Plus, it now seemed she had a cat to look after. Since first coming to her rescue that night with Rob and now in the aftermath of the red carpet bust-up, it had been her near-constant companion. Sitting with her, watching her with its inquisitive eyes, curling up next to her in bed at night.
Hannah had to admit she didn’t mind the company and its presence made her feel less crazy than when she was alone and talking to herself, wallowing in her own despondency.
‘Are you hungry?’ she asked and then smiled. ‘Of course, you’re hungry. You’re always hungry. Thank goodness you can get cat food delivered here – along with everything else.’
Hannah padded her way barefoot into the kitchen, the animalfollowing curiously behind her. As she went to put a tin of Fancy Feast into a small dish, her phone pinged.
TURN ON ESPN RIGHT NOW …Zoe demanded in all caps.
Her stomach leapt with trepidation.
Oh God, now what? Hannah’s thoughts immediately turned to Ward and fresh worry pulsed through her veins. She had been following the headlines and was aware that things right now werevery badfor him – like career-ending bad. She didn’t know how it could get any worse.
Rushing into the living room, she clapped her hands and switched on the media system, grabbing the remote control to find the channel.
But instead of Ward’s face splashed across the screen above a Breaking News banner, she saw Rob’s. Turning up the volume, she felt doubly intrigued as she plopped down on the couch.
‘Celebrated pro golfer, Rob Kendrick, has been known since the beginning of his career for his charismatic smile and perfect swing. Crowds flock to his tournaments to witness the prowess of this golfing sensation and sponsors have clamoured to be associated with the latest rising star,’ the announcer began.
‘However, behind Kendrick’s polished exterior and neatly pressed golf attire hides some disturbing behaviour … now brought to light after the golfer’s recent public altercation with hockey player Ward McKenzie.’
The screen cut to a clip of the fight, but instead of cutting straight to the two men’s fisticuffs like previous clips, this one started with Rob’s unprovoked sucker punch, and Hannah grimaced afresh at the memory.
‘In recent days, this network has received some new information from varied sources within the tight-knit golfing community,which led our team of reporters to investigate further. In our effort to substantiate the claims, we have uncovered accounts of inappropriate behaviour on Mr Kendrick’s part towards WPGA tour members, female staff members, tournament organisers, and romantic partners. Let’s hear first hand now from WPGA pro and four-time U.S. Women’s Open Golf Champion, Emma Stirling.’
Hannah’s mouth dropped as the screen cut to the well-known sportswoman sitting at the press conference and flanked by two other women, one of whom she recognized as Emma’s manager.
The golfer briefly tucked a lock of her silky chocolate hair behind her ear before turning her cornflower-blue eyes directly into the camera with steely resolve. She cleared her throat as she spoke into a bank of microphones.
‘I’m here today to let the golfing community and the general public know that Rob Kendrick is a predator,’ she stated decisively. ‘For the past several months, he has harassed and stalked me after initially exposing himself to me in the Pebble Beach clubhouse during a charity tournament last year. Since then, he has sent a barrage of inappropriate texts and even shown up uninvited at my home in Calabasas. On one occasion, he followed me on a routine trip to the grocery store, grabbing and threatening me.’
Her manager patted her on her back, whispering encouragement, while the other woman who Hannah now figured was an attorney stood sentry by Emma’s side as she continued.
‘My intent in coming forward today is to say that Rob Kendrick should be held accountable for his behaviour. While I am not entirely sure what happened at the NHL Awards, I can only suspect that it had something to do with Rob’s sociopathic behaviour – and that he likely picked the wrong target this time. Beyond the physical, Rob Kendrick’s general treatment of womenneeds to be made public. He is dangerous and doesn’t understand the meaning of the word “no” … to my mind, he is a threat.’ Emma glanced down, composing herself before she looked to the cameras again and added, ‘Also, to Ward McKenzie, let me just say, you’re a hero.’
Emma offered a weak smile before the media present went crazy with questions before the coverage cut back to the SportsCenter desk.
‘Outside of Stirling’s impassioned statement, other women have also since come forward and the PGA has today announced that it’s launching a formal investigation into Kendrick’s conduct. In the interim, he has been suspended from the PGA. Already some sponsors, including Nike, Rolex and Mastercard, have stated they will also be severing ties with Kendrick immediately with the assertion that their organizations, “Believe women”. While this story is still developing, it does appear that the #MeToo Movement is about to lay claim to yet another high-profile sports figure,’ the announcer finished diplomatically. ‘However, the question remains, what happened at the NHL Awards and why? Did we get it all wrong about Ward McKenzie? Far from a Zero, could he actually be a Hero?’
The piece ended with the broadcaster now singing Ward’s praises over footage of career highlights and past accolades, while Hannah remained in shocked silence.
It hadn’t been just her – she hadn’t been Rob’s only target.
Of course, you weren’t – and it all makes total sense now, she thought in disbelief. While this was devastating for her ex, for whom she had no sympathy, she also knew how the press worked.
If ESPN was the first to begin rehabbing Ward’s career and image, then all other outlets would jump on that bandwagon. Twothings were for sure. Rob was going down … hard. But Ward was going to be OK. She was certain of it.
Zero to Hero overnight.
More than OK, she thought, heartened. He was going to get it all back – everything he’d been working toward, everything he wanted.
