“Mom.”
“And eat a bagel.” She’s already pulling plates from my cabinet. “You’re going to need your strength for whatever comes next.”
I pick up a bagel and give her a grateful look. “Thanks for coming, Mom.”
“I’m always here, love.”
26
FIGHTING FOR HER
Zayden
I’m outside Dana’s office at 7:45 AM.
She doesn’t get in until eight—I know because I asked her assistant, who looked at me like I’d grown a second head. Players don’t usually show up at the administrative wing before practice. Players definitely don’t show up looking like they haven’t slept and asking to speak with the Director of Athletic Performance about “a personal matter.”
But here I am. Coffee in hand, leg bouncing, rehearsing what I’m going to say for the hundredth time.
I thought about calling my agent first. He would probably tell me to stay out of it, let the lawyers handle it if it comes to that, and not to make waves during a playoff push. Smart advice. The kind of advice I’d normally take.
Too bad I’m done being smart about this.
The elevator dings, and Dana steps off with her own coffee and a leather bag over her shoulder. She spots me immediately, and something flickers across her face—surprise, then wariness, then the carefully neutral expression of someone who’s been in management long enough to see everything.
“Bishop.” She stops in front of me. “This is unexpected.”
“I need to talk to you. About Tori.”
“I figured.” She studies me for a moment, then sighs. “Come in. Let me at least put my bag down first.”
I follow her into the office and close the door behind me. It’s a nice space—windows overlooking the practice facility, framed photos of championship teams on the walls, and a desk that’s intimidatingly organized. Dana settles into her chair and gestures for me to sit.
I stay standing.
“Before you say anything,” she starts, “you should know that I’ve already spoken with Tori. She’s aware of the situation and the options available to her.”
“I know. She told me.”
“Then you know this isn’t really your conversation to have.”
“With respect, I disagree.”
Dana raises an eyebrow. “Go on.”
I take a breath. This is it. The moment I either fix this or make it a hundred times worse.
No pressure.
“The rumors going around—the ones Reed started—they’re about me as much as they’re about Tori. More, actually, since I’m the one who pursued her.” I hold up a hand before she can interrupt. “I know what you’re thinking. That I’m just trying to protect her. And yeah, I am. But I’m also telling you the truth. I have no incentive to lie right now. And the truth is, she tried to keep things professional. She had rules. I’m the one who kept pushing.”
“Bishop—”
“I’m not done.” The words come out harder than I intended, and I force myself to soften. “Sorry. I just—I need you to hear this.”
Dana leans back in her chair, arms crossed. “I’m listening.”
“Tori is the best PT I’ve ever worked with. And I’ve worked with a lot. She’s the reason my shoulder is ahead of schedule. She’s the reason I’m going to make it through this season without surgery.” I grip the back of the chair in front of me. “She’s also the most ethical person I know. She agonized over this—over us. Tried to fight it. Tried to keep her distance. But I didn’t make it easy for her.”
