Smooth Play

by Regina Hart

  Troy sat. “What’s wrong?”

  “I just met with Marc and Barron. Barron’s entered a substance abuse program.”

  Relief swept over him. “That’s great news, isn’t it?”

  “It is great news. Marc and I are very happy for Barron. We know he’ll succeed because he wants to.” Jaclyn crossed her legs, adjusting the skirt of her bold blue dress over her knee. “He’s asked to be put on IL for the rest of the play-offs.”

  Troy’s thoughts scattered in shock. “The Inactive List? Can’t he play and do the program?”

  Jaclyn touched her Monarchs lapel pin, fastened near the shoulder of her dress. “The stress of the play-offs escalated his addiction.”

  Troy’s thoughts raced. How could he keep the team together? “He doesn’t have to start. He can come off the bench.”

  “Barron doesn’t believe he can help the team in his current condition. He’s right, Troy. If he comes off the court now, he can start getting stronger, mentally and physically, for next season.”

  Troy failed. Again. “I know he and Marc have butted heads. And Barron’s had some problems on and off the court. I just wish there was a way for him to be part of our play-off run.”

  Jaclyn held his gaze. “Is that the reason you didn’t tell us Barron’s drinking was getting worse?”

  Troy forced himself to meet her eyes. “Yes.”

  Jaclyn nodded. “How did you know about it?”

  Troy lowered his eyes. “I follow him on Twitter. He started sending messages, inviting people to drink with him.”

  Jaclyn sat straighter in her chair. “In the future, don’t keep information like that from Marc or me. You’re not helping anyone by keeping secrets.”

  Troy felt his face heat. “I’m sorry.”

  Jaclyn folded her hands in her lap. “Barron’s a part of the team, whether he’s on the court or the sideline. We won’t leave him out of the play-offs.”

  Troy sat back in his seat. “How is he?”

  Jaclyn appeared to consider her answer. “He seemed relieved.”

  Troy supposed that made sense. The pressure was off. Barron could take care of himself now. “And Marc?”

  Jaclyn gripped the arms of the cushioned chair. “Our play-off run has just gotten harder. We’re down to twelve men in the rotation. The Knicks have fifteen. Let’s hope everyone else stays healthy.” She stood. “Prepare a statement for the media. I don’t want the press speculating about the reason Barron’s on IL. Let’s get in front of this.”

  Troy rose to his feet. “Are you sure you want to tell the media Barron’s going into rehab?”

  Jaclyn seemed puzzled. “They’re going to wonder why our team captain is standing on the sidelines in a suit. I’d rather be upfront with them than have them come up with reasons on their own.”

  He shook his head, staring at his desk. “I wish the press and the public could respect Barron’s privacy.”

  She rested her hands on her hips. “The fans have a right to know what’s going on with their players.”

  “It could be a distraction.”

  “Only if we let it.”

  Troy nodded despite his continued misgivings. “I’ll have something for your review within the hour.”

  Jaclyn stopped at the door. “Barron said Andrea played a big part in convincing him to get help for his drinking.”

  Her words gave Troy pause. “I knew she was concerned about him.”

  “She’s a very special lady. She’s been through a lot. And, instead of breaking her, it’s made her stronger.”

  Troy slid his hands into the front pockets of his pants. This was the opening he’d been hoping for. “Andy told me what you did for her after she lost her job.”

  Jaclyn crossed her arms and rested her shoulder against the doorjamb. “She’d suffered enough.”

  “But she wrote an article full of lies that showed you in a bad light.”

  Jaclyn shrugged her left shoulder. “I knew it wasn’t true. The people who mattered knew it wasn’t true. She’d paid for her mistake. It was time for both of us to move on.”

  Troy shook his head in amazement. “Not a lot of people would have seen things that way.”

  “She’s a good reporter.”

  Troy narrowed his gaze. “You weren’t tempted to hold a grudge against her after that article?”

  Jaclyn shook her head. “Not at all.”

  “Why not?”

  “What good would that do?” Jaclyn straightened away from the door. “Even though she says our history together doesn’t have anything to do with the way she treats us, her style of getting the whole story and not just the sound bites Gerry fed her has worked to our benefit.”

  “Her last tip helped us move Gerry out of the franchise.”

  “And for that, I will be eternally grateful.” Jaclyn dropped her arms. “The two of you are good together. She keeps you from acting on impulse. She’s been a good influence on you—and Barron. Have you stopped seeing her as the enemy?”

  Troy forced himself not to squirm under Jaclyn’s teasing regard. “Yes. I’ve realized she’s not out to get the team.”

  She smiled. “Good. I hope you’re both very happy together.” Jaclyn left his office.

  Troy sat, spinning his chair back to his computer. He hoped they’d be happy, too. His career was back on track. His love life was looking up, and the Monarchs had advanced in the play-offs. What more could a person ask for?

  “You are a good cook.” Andrea’s taste buds were still singing from the seafood platter Troy had prepared for their dinner.

  “I’m not just a pretty face.” He led the way into his kitchen as they cleared the table together.

  Andrea chuckled. “I suspected that when you and Serge made dinner for us the other day. But I’m even more impressed now that I’ve witnessed your skills without Serge’s assistance.”

  Troy turned from the sink, took Andrea into his arms, and gave her a deep, lingering kiss that curled her toes inside her stockings.

  He raised his head, keeping his eyes on her lips. “I’m not just good in the kitchen.”

  Andrea licked her lips and felt his arms tighten around her waist. “I know. You’re also very good in the office.” She grinned, wiggling out of his embrace. With a bounce in her step, she left the kitchen to continue clearing the dining room table.

  “Very funny.” His voice followed her.

  She laughed. “I thought so.”

  Troy grabbed the serving tray and utensils. “Has Connie’s ex-husband come back?”

  Andrea balanced their empty glasses and the pitcher of what remained of their iced tea. “No, thank goodness. Connie’s lawyer thinks he’s gone back to Iowa. At least, his response to the divorce filing has an Iowa return address. It looks like he’s going to fight it.”

  Troy moved to the kitchen sink. “I’m sorry about that. I hope he reconsiders.”

  “We all do.” Andrea studied the play of muscles beneath Troy’s navy blue jersey as he lifted dishes from the sink to place them in the dishwasher. Her eyes were drawn to his tight glutes. Her hands itched to stroke them. “But, in the meantime, even our neighbors are keeping watch for Wade. We don’t want anything to happen to Connie or Tiff.”

  Troy looked up from the dishwasher to capture Andrea’s gaze. “And I don’t want anything to happen to you. Be careful if he does come back.”

  His words added to the warmth she already felt from watching him. “You’re the one who acts impulsively, remember?”

  Troy grunted. “Just promise to be careful.”

  “I promise.” Andrea rested a hip against his kitchen counter. “I got your statement today about Barron going on IL to start his treatment.”

  Troy added detergent to the machine’s reserve. “I wish he didn’t have to come off the court, but it’s his call. And Jackie and Marc support him.”

  “I do, too.” Andrea recalled Barron’s tension. “I spoke with him this morning about his decision to enter the p
rogram. He needs to put distance between himself and the fears that cause him to drink. At least until he can learn how to resist those triggers.”

  Troy locked the dishwasher’s door as he straightened. “You called him after I sent the press release? I guess I should have expected that.” He sounded disappointed.

  Andrea corrected him. “Barron came to the Sports office before you issued the statement. He agreed to let me interview him.”

  Troy gave her a sharp look. “You’re doing a story on Barron’s addiction?” He didn’t seem as excited at the prospect as she was.

  “Barron can help readers understand why people fight against admitting they have a problem. His story could convince people who are under similar pressure to get help. It could help prevent them from making the same mistakes he made.”

  Troy rubbed the back of his neck. “Don’t you think Barron deserves his privacy?”

  Confused, Andrea searched Troy’s features. “He offered to let me interview him.”

  “With a little persuasion?” The skepticism in Troy’s eyes hurt.

  “I’m telling you the truth. I didn’t talk him into this interview. He asked if the only reason I’d been after him to talk about his alcoholism was because I wanted to write about it—”

  “There, you see?”

  She raised her voice over his interruption. “And I told him no. I’m concerned about his welfare because I know what he’s going through.”

  “Use your own story if you want to help people.”

  Her irritation was straining at its leash. Why was he attacking her? She’d thought they’d come further than this. “Come on, Troy. You know public figures bring more attention to issues.”

  Troy crossed his arms. “I also know stories about sex, drugs, and athletes sell more papers than articles about the good they do in the community.”

  She was numb. How could he claim to love her but know so little about her? “That’s not the kind of reporter I am. I don’t exploit people to help Will sell papers.”

  “You expect me to believe he’s never asked you to?”

  Willis was excited this morning when she’d told him about her interview with Barron. She pushed the memory from her mind. That wasn’t the reason she’d interviewed the NBA player. “I expect you to believe I never would. I’ve covered the Monarchs’ food drives and clothing drives. I’ve written about their work at the Morning Glory Chapel, including donating money so the chapel could expand its homeless shelter.”

  Troy inclined his head. “Those were good articles—”

  “I don’t have to prove anything to you. I know I’m doing the right thing. I’m trying to help people.”

  “I don’t see how this article helps Barron.”

  She took a breath to stave her rising temper. “Obviously, he does, otherwise he wouldn’t have allowed me to interview him.”

  Troy uncrossed his arms and left the kitchen. “I have a problem believing Barron agreed to the interview.”

  Andrea followed him, afraid to even ask the question. “Do you think I’m lying?”

  “I think you did more persuading than you’re admitting.”

  His words were a punch to her heart. “Why don’t you trust me? Why am I back to being the enemy?”

  Troy spun toward her. “The team has had to cope with Barron’s erratic behavior, the Insider, and then finding out one of the franchise owners was willing to blackmail a referee to have them lose in the play-offs. It’s enough, Andy. Give Barron his space.”

  Andrea’s shoulders dropped. “Is that what you think about me?” She cleared her throat. “I’m not out to get Barron or the team. I’m writing this article to help as many people as I can.”

  Troy sighed. “You’re always looking for ways for atonement. That’s why you invited a homeless woman and her child to move in with you.”

  “It’s worked out well.” Andrea crossed her arms and angled her chin.

  “It’s also the reason you convinced a professional athlete to enter a substance abuse program.”

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  “When will it be enough?”

  “Why does it have to be?”

  Troy spread his arms. “You’re a sports reporter. Write about the game.”

  Andrea shook her head. “I have a platform that allows me to help people, and I want to use it.”

  Troy paced across the room, massaging the back of his neck. “I don’t want you to write that piece.”

  “This will not be a negative article.” She felt like a broken record. “Why won’t you believe me?”

  “You may not mean for it to show the Monarchs in a bad light, but a lot of readers will interpret it that way.” He spoke with his back to her.

  “Not the way I intend to write it.”

  “That’s a gamble, and this isn’t a good time for it. It will pull the team’s attention from the play-offs.”

  Andrea hooked her hands onto her hips. “In your mind, I don’t think there will ever be a good time to run a story that doesn’t glorify the Monarchs.”

  Troy looked over his shoulder toward her. “You’re probably right. I’m asking you not to run this one.”

  Andrea’s muscles went slack with shock. “You’re telling me what to write?”

  He faced her. “I’m asking you.”

  “You can’t do that.”

  “I am.”

  Andrea struggled to pull her thoughts back together. “You’re my lover, not my editor.”

  His expression was sad, almost tormented. “Are we always going to butt heads?”

  Andrea’s eyes stung. “I’m in love with you. But I won’t change who I am. I wouldn’t ask you to change, either.”

  “I’m in love with you, too, Andy. But I have a responsibility to the team. Don’t ask me to choose between you.”

  Andrea’s legs were heavy as they carried her to his sofa. She lifted her large brown purse to her shoulder and slipped her feet into her shoes. “Maybe this relationship wasn’t a good idea.” She waited a beat, but he didn’t respond. “It looks like we both have a lot to think over.”

  Troy didn’t move. “Maybe we do.”

  Stop me. Don’t let me leave. Tell me that you trust me. You’ve already said you love me.

  Silence continued. Andrea left his condo and crossed to the elevator doors.

  How can you break up with someone after you tell her you love her? She swiped away the tears that rolled down her cheeks. She’d given him her heart. Did she have to give up her career, too? She’d fought so hard to reclaim it. Why wasn’t her love enough?

  20

  A gentle knock on Troy’s office door Thursday morning distracted him from his regrets. He looked up to find Constance in his doorway. The concern in her eyes drew his full attention.

  “Mr. Bimm is here to see you.” She stepped aside.

  Gerald appeared in the threshold. He watched Constance leave before giving Troy a wry smile. “‘Mr. Bimm’? Mindy used to say, ‘Gerry’s here.’”

  “Connie isn’t Mindy.” Thank God. Troy got to his feet with reluctance. “What do you want, Gerry?”

  “I came to say good-bye.”

  Music to his ears. Maybe now the franchise could focus on rebuilding. But if the other man only wanted to give his regards, why was he taking one of the seats in front of Troy’s desk?

  “Good-bye.” Troy returned to his chair.

  The former Monarchs co-owner settled into the center visitor seat. Even as he was preparing to leave the franchise, Gerald was still getting in Troy’s face—literally and figuratively.

  Gerald had the air of someone who may have had a setback but refused to be counted out. He crossed his legs, then adjusted the crease of his navy trousers. “I’ve got some opportunities in Reno.”

  “Good luck.” Troy didn’t care whether Gerald was going to Nevada or the moon. He’d savor the knowledge that the Monarchs’ nemesis was leaving New York.

  Gerald studied Troy for several sile
nt seconds. “You think you beat me. But it wasn’t you. It was Jackie and Andrea.”

  The other man was baiting him. Troy wouldn’t react. That was something else he’d learned from Andrea. He breathed through the pain in his heart at the thought of her. Why did she have to run Barron’s article? “It was a team effort.”

  Anger flickered in Gerald’s eyes. “How do you feel knowing that by trying to protect the team you caused it more trouble than I ever did?”

  It was harder to resist reacting to that. But coming from his former boss, the charge didn’t sting as much as it had when Jaclyn had made it. “It all worked out in the end.” Troy pulled his chair under his desk and folded his hands on its surface. “I want to know why you risked everything to destroy the team your uncle helped create.”

  Temper burned brighter in Gerald’s brown eyes. His skin flushed, almost matching his dark red shirt. His gaze traveled around Troy’s office. What was the former partner thinking as he viewed the news clippings that decorated the walls with details of successes from the Monarchs’ recent past?

  Gerald returned his attention to Troy. “My uncle was an equal partner with Gene Mannion, Cedrick Tipton, and Jackie’s grandfather. But he never received any credit for his role in the Monarchs’ success. Instead, Frank Jones conspired to push my uncle out.”

  “What?” The word was a sigh of impatience.

  “When Mannion died, he left his twenty-five percent of the franchise to Frank, making Jackie’s grandfather a majority owner. Frank gave one percent of his shares to Cedrick. That left my uncle as the minority shareholder.”

  Troy heard the resentment in Gerald’s voice but knew the other man had revised history. “Your uncle was more interested in making money than he was in building the team. That’s why Mannion left his shares to Frank.”

  “Did Jackie tell you that?”

  “It’s common knowledge.”

  Gerald’s voice rose with his anger. “It’s a lie the Jones family spread about my uncle.”

  Troy knew that wasn’t true. “You got yourself banned from the NBA for life to punish Jackie’s family for not giving your uncle credit for the Monarchs’ success?” Did Gerald hear how insane that was?