Smooth Play

by Regina Hart

  Silence was heavy on the other end of the line. “I’ll be waiting for you Tuesday. Enjoy the rest of your night.”

  The line went dead. Troy’s body heated with fury beneath the quilt. He slammed the phone onto the table and scrubbed both hands over his face.

  Gerald could deny his connection with the Monarchs Insider forever. But Troy wouldn’t buy it. If he wasn’t the blogger, he knew who was.

  After almost four hours of tossing and turning, channel surfing, and working on the Monarchs’ ad campaign, Troy climbed out of bed. Around five in the morning, he got dressed and went for a run through downtown Cleveland. The chill mid-April air slapped the remaining fatigue from his mind. He ran until the sun came up around seven o’clock. He circled the same blocks over and over, chasing his own thoughts. He ran until his lungs hurt, his muscles screamed, and his body dripped with sweat.

  Troy listened to his footsteps slapping against the asphalt as he turned toward the hotel. The echo of sound didn’t drown the questions chasing each other across his mind. Had Jaclyn done everything she could to get rid of Gerald? Why wouldn’t Gerald sell his shares in the franchise? What did the Monarchs Insider really want?

  Why had he asked for the ESPN interview?

  He raced back to the Hilton Hotel on Carnegie Avenue, showered, and changed. Troy tried to distract himself during the half-hour wait until eight o’clock. By then, Jaclyn should be awake. She was his last hope to get his job back. His only hope.

  Troy checked his wristwatch for the hundredth time, then glanced at the clock on the hotel room’s wall. Both read minutes after eight a.m. Jaclyn and DeMarcus were early risers, and the Monarchs were scheduled to return to Brooklyn this afternoon. Still, he called Jaclyn’s cell phone instead of their hotel room. He didn’t want to disturb DeMarcus. The head coach may have decided to sleep in after the team’s second loss last night. The call connected after two rings.

  “What were you thinking?” Jaclyn sounded wide awake. Her question as well as her tone told Troy she’d seen the interview.

  He straightened his shoulders and jumped into his defense. “If Gerry isn’t the Insider, he knows who is.”

  “And you know that how?” Jaclyn’s speech was precise. Her tone was clipped.

  This interrogation was worse than Troy’s clash with Gerald. Jaclyn’s experience practicing law before assuming her role with her family’s franchise was probably the reason Troy felt as though he were on trial. “Gerry’s tried to get reporters to write stories criticizing the Monarchs before.”

  “But you don’t have any proof that he’s behind the blog, do you? You don’t have anything connecting him to those posts.”

  Troy balanced his right elbow on his thigh and braced his forehead in his right palm. “No, I don’t.”

  “I’ll ask you again. What were you thinking? No. Wait. I have a better question. Were you thinking?”

  Troy tightened his grip on his cell phone. “I wanted to stop Gerry’s attacks against the team.”

  There was a beat of silence before Jaclyn spoke. “Troy, with that one interview, you’ve done more damage than the Insider, whoever that may be.”

  Troy straightened in his armchair. Her accusation seemed unfair. How did he respond to that? “What are you saying?”

  “You went on television with a baseless accusation that your boss was trying to destroy the team.” Jaclyn’s voice was taut with anger. “In a best-case scenario, you’re being disloyal to your employer. In a worst-case scenario, you’re committing slander.”

  Troy switched his phone to his right hand and flexed his left to relax his fist. “But I’m right.”

  “Without proof, you’re just reckless.”

  Troy paced his hotel room. His bare feet sank into the soft carpet. He didn’t want to believe she was right. “What can I do now?”

  “I don’t know. If you’d talked to me before talking to ESPN, I’d have stopped you.” The anger had drained from Jaclyn’s tone. “Why is it that the men in my life don’t discuss their plans with me first?”

  Troy’s face heated. Jaclyn was talking about him. She was also speaking of DeMarcus, who hadn’t told her about Gerald’s attempts to blackmail him several months ago. DeMarcus intended to deal with Gerald on his own. Luckily, Jaclyn found out about Gerald’s scheme in time.

  Just as DeMarcus’s strategy had almost backfired on him, Troy was now dealing with the ramifications of his impetuous act. “I should have talked with you first.”

  “He could sue you for slander.”

  Troy heard the concern in Jaclyn’s somber tone. He massaged the back of his neck. “That might be next. He fired me this morning.”

  “What? He can’t fire you without consulting me. Not only am I his partner, I’m the general manager.”

  Troy stilled, gripping the back of the hotel’s desk chair. The muscles in his neck slowly unknotted. “Good. Then I’ve still got my job.”

  Jaclyn’s hesitation didn’t bode well. “It’s not that easy, Troy.”

  “Why not?”

  “Gerry’s your boss. We both own fifty percent of the Monarchs.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “He fired you because you went on the news and embarrassed him. Frankly, if you’d done that to me, I’d have fired you.”

  Troy turned away from the window, rubbing his eyes. “I wouldn’t do that to you.”

  “That’s good to know.” Jaclyn’s tone was dry.

  Troy rested his hips against the desk chair. “I have to keep my job, Jackie.”

  “I want you to keep your job, too. That’s why I told you to leave Gerry to me.”

  Dread grew like a cold front from Troy’s abdomen. “So there’s nothing you can do?” He forced the question from his throat.

  “I didn’t say that. I’ll arrange a meeting with Gerry. I’ll do my best to change his mind, but I can’t make any promises.”

  “I understand.” His words rushed out on a relieved breath. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me. You’d better decide what you’re willing to do to keep your job. Gerry won’t change his mind easily.”

  They ended the call, and Troy pocketed his cell phone. Jaclyn was right. Gerald was going to ask for a pound of flesh and more.

  Troy’s gaze drifted across the hotel room toward the windows. Jaclyn’s question replayed on a loop in his head. What would he do to get his job back? He’d do whatever it took to prove Gerald was the Monarchs Insider.

  “You fired Troy?” Andrea sat across the table from Gerald in the trendy coffee house where he’d agreed to meet her Tuesday afternoon. She’d been amazed that he’d been willing to talk with her on such short notice. He’d also surprised her by agreeing to let her tape record their conversation.

  Gerald nodded once. “Last night. Well, this morning, after I’d seen clips of his ESPN interview on the local stations.”

  Andrea swung her gaze around the coffee house trying to gather her thoughts. What would the Monarchs Insider make of this development? She couldn’t imagine it being worse than what the blogger had posted about her and Troy just that morning.

  She took a deep breath, releasing her temper before it got the better of her. The scent of baking pastries was almost overwhelming. She looked at Gerald. Had he read that morning’s Monarchs Insider post? Had he written it? “What was Troy’s reaction?”

  Gerald shrugged his shoulders under the ruby-red shirt and tan blazer. “He kept accusing me of being the Insider. But, of course, he doesn’t have proof.”

  Andrea arched a brow. “You haven’t denied Troy’s accusation.”

  Gerald sipped his latte. “And he hasn’t proven it.”

  Andrea tried to read his brown eyes. “Are you the Insider?”

  He glanced at the mini-recorder sitting on the table between them, then raised his gaze to hers. “No, I’m not.”

  Andrea had expected Gerald to deny it. “Do you know who the blogger is?”

  His stare never wavered. “No,
I don’t.”

  She studied Gerald’s fair skin and aquiline features. At close to sixty years of age, he remained fit and attractive. His wavy black hair showed very little gray. Gerald had model good looks and a wealth of self-confidence, just like Troy. But, unlike Troy, the interest lighting Gerald’s features and gleaming in his eyes was all self-directed. Gerald Bimm cared a great deal for himself. Troy’s passion was for the team. That’s what drove him—perhaps too far?

  She picked up her mug of coffee. Wrapping her fingers around its warmth, she sipped the hazelnut-flavored brew. “Why do you think Troy believes you’re the blogger?”

  Gerald seemed to tense in his chair. He drank more of his latte. “I have no idea.”

  She pushed at him. “He wouldn’t have gone on television unless he was certain you were the blogger.”

  “Maybe he’s lost his mind.” Gerald’s response was testy.

  “He looked sane on camera.”

  “Look, I can’t control what Troy thinks.” Gerald’s voice and eyes hardened. “But I can’t allow him to destroy my reputation by spreading lies, either.”

  Andrea arched a brow. “Isn’t that what you tried to do to Marc Guinn two months ago?”

  Gerald leaned back in his chair. “It’s Guinn’s word against mine.”

  She was beginning to believe Gerald. That scared her. What had Troy done?

  Andrea turned away, hoping to hide her consternation. She looked around the coffee shop. The sleek, modern interior was a world away from the coffee shop near the Sports’s building. This one was three blocks from the Empire Arena. So why weren’t they meeting in Gerald’s office?

  She picked up her mug. “Did Jackie Jones agree with your firing Troy?”

  “I didn’t consult her.”

  Andrea’s brows knitted. “Why not?”

  Gerald leaned toward the recorder and spoke a little louder. “A franchise employee publicly—and falsely—accused me of attacking the team. I made the decision to dismiss the employee. End of story.”

  Andrea knew Jaclyn Jones. Gerald was deluding himself if he thought this was the end of the story. “But Jackie is the general manager in charge of personnel.”

  “And I’m an equal partner.” Gerald gave her another shrug. “In any case, she knows now.”

  What wasn’t Gerald telling her? “What are you going to do about the Insider?”

  “What do you mean?”

  She lowered her mug. “The Insider’s posts have been a nuisance to your team. Aren’t you curious about the blogger’s identity?”

  Gerald’s eyes danced with humor. “Not really. You know I’ve wanted the media to help me keep the team in line.”

  “Then maybe you should thank the Insider.”

  “I’ll leave a comment on his blog.”

  “Those posts don’t just target your players. They’ve also attacked your coach and your business partner.”

  “Marc and Jackie can take care of themselves.” He raised his mug to his smiling lips.

  She watched him closely. “I’ve noticed that none of the posts have been about you.”

  Gerald chuckled. “What could he possibly find about me to criticize?”

  Andrea could make a list. “What about Troy’s position? Are you going to start an executive search to replace him now or wait until you’ve relocated the team to Nevada?”

  Gerald’s smile turned sardonic. “Why? Are you interested in the job?”

  Startled laughter escaped Andrea. “I’m comfortable where I am.”

  “Are you?”

  Andrea sobered. She forced herself to remain still under Gerald’s mocking gaze. “I don’t want to move out of Brooklyn, and you’ve made it clear you want to relocate the Monarchs.”

  Gerald’s brow cleared. “I don’t know why people think I’m out to ruin the team.”

  “Go figure.”

  He glanced at his Rolex. “If we’re done here, there’s another meeting I have to attend.”

  Andrea stood, collecting her recorder and empty coffee mug. “Mind if I ask with whom?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do.” Gerald stood with her.

  She nodded and turned off the mini-recorder. Andrea dropped the device into her oversized brown purse. “I have what I need for now. Thanks for your time, Gerry.”

  “You’re welcome. Call me if you have any other questions. Or change your mind about the job.”

  They parted company outside of the coffee house. Andrea watched Gerald cross the street, walking toward the Empire Arena. She’d bet money his meeting was with Jaclyn Jones. Oh, to be a fly on that wall.

  She turned toward the public parking lot two blocks in the opposite direction to collect her temperamental Ford. The sky was a vivid blue with thin streaks of white clouds. But the bite in the air said Mother Nature wasn’t ready for spring. Andrea was. She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her tan overcoat and quickened her pace.

  After buckling into her driver’s seat, Andrea dug through her purse for her cell phone. She selected Troy’s mobile number, but the call went directly to voice mail. His rich baritone made her toes curl in her shoes.

  The recording ended and she left a message at the signal as directed. “Troy, it’s Andrea.” She hesitated. “I’m sorry you’re no longer with the Monarchs. There’s something else we need to talk about. Could you call me as soon as you can?” She left her cell phone number and ended the call.

  Andrea had thought Barron was the Monarchs’ employee who’d needed her help. She’d seen herself in the point guard’s increasingly destructive behavior. In contrast, Troy had seemed confident and in control. Was it just a pretense? She was beginning to think it was.

  She started her car. It took a couple of attempts before her engine turned over. Andrea pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward home.

  Troy’s ESPN interview had been a desperate, reckless act. It was exactly the type of impulsive behavior that had cost Andrea her career. Perhaps Troy was the Monarch more in need of her help. But getting him to accept her offer would be easier if he trusted her.

  The situation was surreal—and unfair. Troy was grateful Jaclyn had arranged their meeting with Gerald. But why was he the one fighting for his job when Gerald was the one trying to destroy the franchise?

  He’d taken the chair to the right of Jaclyn, who sat at the head of the small conference table. Gerald had the seat at the opposite end. Troy kept his expression blank as he held the other man’s triumphant gaze.

  Jaclyn folded her hands on the table. “You were wrong to fire Troy without consulting me, Gerry. I’m the general manager. Personnel matters are in my purview.”

  Gerald looked at Troy. “Are you hiding behind Jackie now?”

  Troy spread his arms. “I’m right here.”

  Jaclyn’s voice hardened. “According to our partnership agreement, you’re obligated to discuss personnel issues with me prior to acting. You failed to do so.”

  Gerald gestured toward Troy. “Did he discuss his television interview with you?”

  When Jaclyn hesitated, Troy spoke up. “No, I didn’t.”

  Gerald looked from Troy back to Jaclyn. “Then you should thank me for firing him. Now you can hire someone you can trust.”

  Jaclyn’s expression tightened. “I trust Troy.”

  Gerald’s hard brown eyes glinted with challenge. “Do you agree with what he said during his ESPN interview?”

  Jaclyn crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair. “I didn’t say that.”

  Troy interrupted again. “Jackie didn’t know I was going to do that interview. She’s made it clear she wasn’t happy about it, either.” How far was he willing to go to get his job back? Troy squared his shoulders. “I regret doing the interview and the things I said. I apologize.”

  Gerald gave him a long, hard stare. Every muscle in Troy’s body tensed. His future—personal and professional—was on the line. Would he remain with the Monarchs? He couldn’t imagine working anywhere else. Tro
y held his breath, waiting.

  “Good.” Gerald stood. “Since you’re here now, you can pack up your office.”

  Shock punched him in his gut. Troy couldn’t move. He searched for words that would end this nightmare. But the other man’s gleaming brown gaze told him there was nothing he could say, nothing he could do to change Gerald’s mind.

  Jaclyn pushed away from the table and rose. “We’re not done.”

  Gerald turned to her. “Tell me, Jackie, what would you do if one of our employees disparaged you during an interview? Would you keep that employee on the payroll?”

  “Troy has apologized.”

  Gerald put his right hand on his chest. “And the words have warmed my heart. But I’m not obligated to accept them.”

  Troy pushed himself to his feet. “You’ve spent years trying to destroy the team. We have evidence you were negotiating with that real estate investor in Nevada.”

  Gerald shrugged. “So I’m interested in property in Nevada. That’s not a crime.”

  Anger was edging out shock. “You tried to get Andy Benson to write a story you fabricated to damage Marc’s reputation. You also tried to get her to write negative stories about the players.”

  Gerald crossed his arms and gave Troy a speculative look. “Most of your evidence is hearsay from Andrea. That makes me wonder if today’s Insider blog’s true.”

  Troy frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “You haven’t seen today’s blog post?” Gerald barked a laugh. “Well, I won’t ruin it for you.”

  Jaclyn’s words stopped Gerald as he tried to make his way out of the conference room. “We’re rolling out a new marketing campaign. We need Troy to coordinate that. We’re also in the postseason. We need him to handle the increased interview requests.”

  Gerald met Troy’s gaze over his shoulder. “I’ll supervise Troy’s staff until we find a replacement.”

  Troy fisted his palms. “Gerry, the blog has to come down.”

  Gerald shrugged. “Maybe it does. But I can’t make that decision.” He turned back around. “You accused me of trying to destroy the team. In the end, you’re the one who caused it the greatest harm because of that interview. Isn’t that ironic?” Gerald shook his head as he left the room.