The Curve Ball - Samantha Lind Page 0,19
to have a family member in the media spotlight.”
“Thanks for that. The thought never crossed my mind that you would, but thanks for that reassurance.” I look back down at Evie as I take a few deep breaths. I need to get out in front of all of this. “Do you mind taking over here so I can go call my PR rep and lawyer to see what we can do to keep things out of the media and hopefully keep Erica from going to the media?”
“Of course,” she says, leaning down and picking Evie up. “Hey, baby girl, did you miss me?” she asks Evie as she kisses the top of her head.
I stand and grab my cell from the end table. I scroll through my contacts until I find my PR company's contact. I press the call button and wait as the line rings. It only takes a few rings, and a voice comes over the line.
“Good morning, Executive PR this is Tracey, how can I help you today?”
“Good morning, Tracey, this is Justin Johnson. I’ve got a personal matter that I wanted to discuss with someone that we might need to get ahead of with the media, is anyone available?”
“Of course, let me get you in touch with Logan,” she says and then places me on hold or transfers the call.
“Mr. Johnson, how can I help today?” Logan asks in the way of a greeting.
I give him the rundown of what’s transpired over the last twenty-four hours and my concerns to keep things quiet if the media was to get knowledge of things going forward, plus how we’d handle it if Erica were to sell a story to the press.
“I’ll be in touch with your attorney and manager and draw up a plan. Depending on how things play out, it might be in your best interest if we release a press statement ahead of any court documents becoming public. Something simple that states you’ve recently become a father and are enjoying getting to know your daughter. We’ll ask for privacy during this time. Most of the time, the media is willing to accept blanket statements and give you the space you’ve asked for,” Logan tells me.
“I’m fine with all of that, and at a later date, I might even be willing to sit down for an interview, but that will need to be down the road. I need time to adjust to being a single father.”
“I completely understand, and when the time comes that you’re ready for something like that, I can handle setting that up with a trusted reporter who we know will allow us to vet all questions and control what is and isn’t shown, whether it be a print piece or one that is aired on TV. I’ll be in touch with the plan, possibly by the end of today.”
“Thanks, Logan,” I tell him before we hang up.
Knowing a plan is in the works to keep Evelyn safe, I head for my bedroom and get dressed for practice. Even with all that is going on, I can’t skip out on my responsibilities. I’ve got training today and a game tomorrow afternoon, and three days after that, we leave for a road trip.
“All good here?” I ask Riley as I slip my shoes on.
“We’re all good,” she says, smiling up at me from the floor where Evie’s lying on her belly on the tummy time mat. She isn’t screaming like she was when I tried it, but I realize now that I’d placed her on her back, and Riley has her on her stomach. “Have a good practice.”
“Thanks. Have fun, and I’ll see you girls, later,” I call out as I pick my bag up and head out the door.
“How’d the night go?” Derek asks, taking a seat next to me on the bench in front of our lockers.
“Good. Riley said Evie only got up once to eat.”
“She going to watch her full-time for you?” he asks.
“Yeah, we discussed everything last night. I’ve got to find out if there’s an agency or something that I can pay her through that will handle all the taxes and shit that I’ve got no clue how to handle. We’re going to test it for a month and go from there. With it being the beginning of the season, it isn’t like I can just hire someone to work Monday through Friday, eight to five. I need someone that can be around when we’re out of town and late