So, please. Explain to me why I should heed your suggestion about the best way to proceed with righting this media nightmare.”
“As a gay man, you should be more supportive of one of our players having his sexuality questioned after a stupid fight that probably had nothing to do with sex at all!” I slap my hands over my mouth to stop any actual vomit that might escape after all the verbal diarrhea I just released on probably the worst possible target in the department. Surely, he’s going to eviscerate me for that completely honest yet horribly abrasive statement.
Surprisingly, he smiles. It’s not even evil like Kaylie’s usual grins. “Tori, you’re cute. I like you. But you have a lot to learn if you want to succeed in any career in public relations. As a gay man, I know firsthand how questions about sexuality can impact a professional male athlete.”
Oh, now I just feel like dirt.
He gestures with his finger for me to lean down, presumably to keep our conversation more private. Like I should have.
His gaze gentles as his eyes roam over my face that’s—once again—probably the same color as my hair. “You’ve just been given the kind of assignment no one in this industry will ever bestow upon me even though I have a proven track record of doing a damn good job. Management doesn’t trust me to be professional, and neither do the players. In a world where sex sells, they don’t want to buy what they believe I might try to peddle. Do you understand?”
I don’t actually. “If most professional athletes are heterosexual, then shouldn’t working with a member of the opposite sex be even more frowned upon? I might not know him personally, but Mike Mitchell seems like a genuinely good guy. I’m sure he’d be happy for the best possible PR person the Wolves have on staff to represent him. He wouldn’t care you’re gay.”
David shakes his head. “Oh, darling.”
There it is.
“You’re so naïve.” He pats my hand that’s resting on his desk. “No worries though. We’ll fix you right up and send you on your way, ready to tackle whichever industry you land in.”
And there it is again. I may be young, but I’m not as stupid as they think I am.
Pick up. Pick up. Please, pick up.
Just as I’m about to end the call, she answers. “What?”
“You sound like shit. What’s wrong?”
“I’ve been throwing up all day.” A crackly sigh filters through the speakers. “I don’t think I’m done yet, so make it quick.”
On instinct, I hop out of my cushy leather recliner and search for my keys. By the time I’m slipping my sneakers on at the front door, I realize…I can’t do a damn thing. “Why did you have to move to New York City?”
“Because this is where I got a job.”
“You could’ve gotten a job in Albany just as easily! If you weren’t almost three hours away, I could take care of you!” I toe off my shoes and retreat back to my living room where SportsCenter is still on the TV that I never bothered to turn off in my rush.
I brace for the expected I don’t need anyone to take care of me.
“Why did you call, Mike?” She doesn’t even argue, so she must be feeling really shitty.
I hate to burden her with my problems when she’s so sick, but there’s no one else who has the perfect mix of insider knowledge to help me sort out this mess. “The team assigned me a PR rep, and I don’t know what to do.”
“Um, listen to him and do whatever he says?”
“It’s a she. And I can’t do that.”
Evie cackles then coughs. “Oh, that’s hilarious. A woman is about to own you. I actually do wish I lived closer to witness this for myself.”
“Hey! I get along just fine with women!”
“Sure,” she drags out. “Whatever you say, Mikey.”
“You’re my best friend, and you’re a woman. What does that tell you?”
“It tells me I’m stupidly loyal. A fact you love throwing in my face when it suits you.”
I click the remote to turn off the TV when a clip of Rob’s latest game plays. “I deserve your loyalty. Unlike some people who you still haven’t served divorce papers.”
“Right.” Her voice is tight like she might actually be swallowing back the puke she warned me about. “Good talk. Bye.”
“Wait!” I listen for a beat to make sure she hasn’t hung up on me yet. I’m willing to hold while she