Having her support and belief in me was something I’d never take for granted.
My phone started buzzing like crazy with text messages and social media notifications.
“You really know how to set the internet on fire.” She laughed while wiping at her watery eyes.
“Wait until tomorrow when they find out about my suspension.”
Becca groaned. “You realize Ember is going to give you shit, right? She had a whole media post with dates and timelines.”
I tucked her into my side tightly. “What can I say? I’m impulsive.”
She laughed despite herself, and I pulled her into my chest. I just wanted to hold on to her a little while longer.
“This is insane.” She sighed.
I kissed the top of her head. “You want to talk about insane? Once the news about Brian hits, it’s going to be a shit show. I’m kind of relieved that I won’t be playing the next few games. I don’t think I’d be able to focus.”
Becca laughed at my phone, which would not stop buzzing. “I’m just glad our side of the story was told before he had a chance to spin it.”
“We just need to do one more thing.”
I clicked on the camera icon, held my phone out, and snapped our picture.
“Oh, my God. I look terrible. You cannot post that.”
“You’re beautiful. Besides, if we’re going to sell them something real, might as well look the part.”
She ran her hand along my arm. “What’s the caption going to be?”
I typed it out.
In case there was any confusion.
Then I hit post and turned my phone off.
CHAPTER 34
BECCA
The office buzzedaround me as I sipped my coffee. The main problem with switching teams mid-season meant I was starting from scratch. After spending the last three years covering the Hawks, I had to get used to new players, new coaches, new personalities, and locker room politics. I clicked on the last game New England played and jotted down some notes when I heard someone at the front desk say my name. I glanced up from my laptop, and walking straight through the office was the very last person I wanted to see.
Brian Sullivan.
Judging by the look on his face, he was furious. He didn’t stop at the receptionist’s desk. He just kept on walking until he reached my cubicle.
Our receptionist, Sarah, appeared behind him, looking uncomfortable. “I tried to stop him.”
“It’s okay.” I closed my laptop and stood. “Can I help you?” I asked, setting my pen down on my desk.
He laughed. “Ms. Hendrix, I don’t believe we’ve officially met. I’m the guy whose life you blew up by printing a bunch of lies.”
Okay, I guess we were going there. I glanced around the office, which had gone quiet. People were pretending to work, but I could feel their attention lingering.
I straightened my spine. “All I did was report the truth.”
“No,” he stepped closer, “you wrote a hit piece. Those women were lying. You think just because they said these things happened that makes them true? It’s their word against mine.”
I glanced over to the two interns standing near the coffee machine, trying hard not to stare, but Brian’s voice was loud enough for them to hear every word. I could only imagine what they were thinking. One of the biggest sports agents was standing in the middle of our office, tearing into me.
