by Len Webster
I never asked to be in the spotlight, but I understood that it came with the territory for publicly expressing my support for the club I have loved all my life.
When I read the supportive emails from young girls who looked up to me, I realized I couldn’t stay silent. I will not stand by and allow what happened to me happen to someone else.
I ask that those in the media be responsible with the power and influence they have in society.
Be careful what you write.
Think before you form sentences.
Act with respect.
There are more powerful, life-changing stories out there.
I am not one of them.
I’m just a senior trying to get through high school.
I am not a socialite and never will be.
I am deeply hurt that a magazine published such a piece.
With the authorities investigating the matter, I cannot go into more details about the suffering I have endured and my humiliation.
What I can say is that Kyle Gilmore, captain of the Red Sox, is a dear friend of mine whom I have cared for dearly as a brother. He has never acted inappropriately with me and has never abused his position at the club to bring the club’s image or his own into disrepute. Kyle Gilmore is a man of integrity and would never encourage or approve of the article’s disrespect of women.
That is all I will comment on this matter.
I’d like to thank the public, the Red Sox, and all who have respected my family’s wishes for privacy at this time.
As a collective, we became Boston Strong together and showed our belief in humility.
Alexandra Parker.
“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.” Benjamin Lovejoy, the CEO of The Daily Sportsourage, greeted the press. It had been three days since AJ discovered the article. It was now Saturday, and she had woken up to a text message from Evan, telling her to turn on her TV. AJ rushed downstairs to find her parents already in the living room, watching the news. It was announced that two statements would be televised on this morning’s news.
The first would be from the CEO of The Daily Sportsourage.
AJ had made her statement the day after she read the article.
After dinner, she’d written it with Evan’s help and sent it to Mr. Gardwell. He had retracted some paragraphs as per request from the police, approved her statement, and then issued it to the media the next morning.
Now, AJ was sitting on the couch with her parents by her side, waiting for Mr. Lovejoy to make his company’s statement. She watched as he cleared his throat and looked straight into the camera.
“My name is Benjamin Lovejoy, and I am the current CEO at The Daily Sportsourage. It is a disappointing time in my career with the company when I have to stand before you all. Recently, one of our former writers published a piece on our website that painted women in a disrespectful light. In particularly, we, as a company, disrespected a minor with vulgar comments. I, along with the rest of the company, would like to express our sincerest apologies to Alexandra Parker for what was written. Alex is a role model for so many young girls and boys, and we insulted not only her but also her family and image.
“We also insulted the people of Massachusetts, the Red Sox, the public, and ourselves. The Daily Sportsourage is currently cooperating with the authorities, and those involved with the article are no longer with the company. I will personally reach out to Kyle Gilmore, a respectable athlete and member of the public whom we have wrongly shamed for his platonic relationship with Alex. I will also reach out to Alex to express my sincerest apologies for the harm, humiliation, and suffering she has received in the past few days. Thank you all so much for your time and have a good day.”
The camera panned out and switched to the newsroom as the anchors commented on Benjamin’s statement. AJ was relieved even though she knew it wasn’t a true apology. It was just a statement to save their reputation, but it was too little too late.
“Do you think they’ll actually reach out to her, Noel?” her mother asked.
AJ turned to see her father’s complacent expression. He didn’t believe Benjamin either. “Honestly, Clara. No. He might want an out-of-court settlement like Lucas said, but I don’t think they’re truly sorry. They’ve written this kind of stuff for years. They just happened to mess with the wrong person.” Her father smiled at her. “Your statement was powerful, Alexandra. I’m very proud of what you sent out.”
Her father wrapped his arm around her shoulder and brought her to him, embracing her. “Thanks, Dad—”
“This just in, we have Amanda outside Fenway Park. Amanda, what can you tell us?” the anchorwoman asked, causing AJ to sit to attention.
The screen changed to the reporter with jet black bangs, snow landing in her hair. “Thank you, Cho. I’m standing outside of the home of the Boston Red Sox where Kyle Gilmore will be making a statement shortly. Rumors in the past twenty-four hours have suggested that the Red Sox captain is under pressure to explain his current position with the team, his manager, and his stance on the article published earlier this week. Fans are worried that their two-time World Series-winning captain will have to step down.”
Her heart sank.
“No,” she breathed in disbelief.
Kyle couldn’t lose his position as captain. He’d worked so hard to earn the respect of his teammates and manager to become the youngest captain in recent Red Sox history. The proudest day of his life was when he walked across Fenway on his first home game as the Red Sox’s captain. AJ had no idea he could lose it all. They hadn’t spoken since he told her that he loved her and begged her to be with him.
To make the article real.
AJ couldn’t do it.
She couldn’t love Kyle.
She was in love with one person, and that was Evan.
When she made the promise that she would never choose Kyle over Evan, she made it with the intention of never breaking it.
Ever.
Suddenly, Kyle speaking to the Red Sox manager and CEO consumed the screen. The camera panned out, and she noticed the rest of the team in the conference room with sullen expressions on their faces.
“Oh, my God,” she said in shock.
“Hey,” her father said. “It’s just a press conference.”
“They can’t make him step down, can they?” She turned to find her father shaking his head with uncertainty. Her father didn’t know. Normally, her father knew everything.
“Thank you, everyone, for joining us today for this last-minute press conference,” said Adrian Whitaker, the manager of the Red Sox. He set his arms on the table and let out a sigh. “We’ve set up today’s press conference so we could clarify some talk you’ve all heard. First off, before we let Kyle make his statement, I’d like to clarify that Kyle will not be stepping down from his role as captain of the Boston Red Sox. We’ve heard the rumors, and they’re absurd,” the manager said.
Relief poured into AJ.
Kyle was still the captain.
The CEO of the Red Sox added, “I’d also like to say that Kyle is family here at the Red Sox. We do not turn our back on family—especially our captain. Kyle Gilmore and Alexandra Parker have our full support.”
“Thank you, sir,” Kyle said to the CEO. Then he turned and looked out at the cameras. “Thank you so much for being here this morning. I just wanted to make a statement in regards to the article published in The Daily Sportsourage. First off, I am appalled that a once respectable magazine could publish such a horrible display of disrespect for so many in the public eye. Many of those women listed in that article have achieved so much in this and for this community but, instead, were written about in a light that many of us would have never thought or saw them in.”
Cameras flashed brightly as Kyle paused.
He glanced down at the papers in front of him and pushed them asid
e.
The sounds of the shutters were constant as he brushed his brown hair back and looked back at the camera to continue with the statement.
“That article hurt someone I truly care about. As a city, someone we all care about. Alexandra Parker was subjected to the worst kind of journalism, disrespect, and disregard I have ever come across. That article spoke of lies and brought her to a new light. And what we all realized is that we didn’t protect her enough. I didn’t protect her enough. Alexi is my friend. And yes, I do love her—”
She gasped along with the reporters inside the conference room.
“But as a sister,” Kyle quickly corrected. “I have known her parents—the very two people who encouraged me to fall in love with baseball and pursue a career in it—all my life. Without the Parkers, I wouldn’t be playing for the Red Sox or standing proudly as their captain. I have nothing but utter respect for Noel and Clara Parker, and I insulted them by allowing a journalist to see their only daughter in perversion. Alexi is beautiful, but she is also kind and smart. I fear that this article may have an impact on her future. But if colleges are listening, Alexi is talented and smart. If any of you were going to reject her application because of this article, then you never deserved her at your school.
“For those who believed I was waiting for Alexi to turn eighteen, no. Someday, she’ll find someone her own age to fall in love with. And I will be right there, with the rest of the Red Sox and Boston, making sure he’s a good guy for her. And for those who thought I would step down or request a transfer, let me just say this. I plan on playing every game for the rest of my career with the Red Sox. This is the only club I wanted to play for. The only club where I knew I would be welcomed into a family. A club I am so proud of for supporting Alexi and me at this current time. I ask you all to be kind to her because she needs your support and love more than I do. No seventeen-year-old deserves what she has been through. And I am so proud of the maturity she has displayed. Thank you all again for your time. That is all I’d like to comment. Thank you.”
Kyle got out of his seat and followed his manager and the CEO out of the conference room with his teammates right behind him. AJ’s mouth made an ‘O’ at his statement. She didn’t think he’d make one with the silence he’d given. But he surprised her. He not only cleared her name but his own.
He was strong and confident and determined to protect her.
She was proud of him.
She might not love him the way he wanted, but she loved him nonetheless.
Just as her father turned off the TV, her phone vibrated in her lap. She picked it up and got off the couch.
“Alexandra, do you want me to make you some breakfast?” her mother asked as AJ unlocked her phone.
“Yes, please. I’m going to shower,” she said before she walked out of the living room. As she climbed the stairs to her room, she opened her messages to find that Kyle had sent her a message right after he left the conference.
Kyle: Alexi, I hope you watched the press conference. I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you about the article when I found out. And I am so sorry that I didn’t do enough to protect you. I meant it when I said I love you even though you love someone else. I saw it in your eyes. I also saw it when he held you, and it’s so heartbreaking for me. I should have known it would be Evan. The way you look at him. The way you’ve always looked at him. The way you smile at him … It’s always been him. I understand, but that doesn’t mean I’m not hurt that you don’t love me the way you obviously love him. But I do hope I made you proud today with my statement. I’m sorry again. You should be worrying about prom and graduation, not articles or the media. I hope the article doesn’t ruin your chances with colleges. You deserve to have a childhood, and I took that away from you. I’m sorry.
AJ stopped at the top of the stairs, her heart stretched at his sincere message. Taking a deep breath, she replied.
AJ: I did watch it. You made me incredibly proud for how you spoke of the club and me. Your statement was much more than I ever expected. I don’t want to hurt you, Kyle. I never meant to. But I don’t love you like I love him. And I’m sorry to have told you that way. I’m touched that you found something in me worth loving, but that’s not enough for my heart to want yours. I love you as a brother, and I will always love you. It’s not about my age. It’s about my heart, and it already loves him with every beat it has. Someday, you’ll feel that and more for someone else. I’m sorry, Kyle. Just know that I appreciate your statement, and I’m relieved that the rumors weren’t true about you stepping down as captain from the Red Sox.
Kyle: Now that my brother has your heart, all I have is the Red Sox.
Fortunately for AJ, no one at school bullied her or made fun of her for the article. In fact, after the article went live, she received so many messages of support. It was sweet of everyone to rally in her defense and support her. All her teachers made sure to let her know if she needed some time to deal with the situation, she was welcome to step out of class. The only time she had to deal with the article was at lunch when Mr. Gardwell called. It had been two days since Benjamin Lovejoy’s and Kyle’s statements. Her lawyer had told her that The Daily Sportsourage wanted to settle, just as her father had expected. Mr. Gardwell had instructed Benjamin that if he offered an amount that didn’t meet his expectation, he would see them in court.
The Daily Sportstourage had offered AJ two million dollars after no charges had been filed.
Her mouth had dropped as she sat at the lunch table with Evan, Hunter, Jordan, and Carter.
When she asked her lawyer why that much, he told her that the company knew that they would stand to lose a lot more since she was a minor. That the court would sympathize with her and award her a larger sum of damages. He also told her that the others named in the article had also filed lawsuits against the magazine.
At the end of the conversation, AJ told Mr. Gardwell that she’d speak to her parents later tonight and figure out what to do next. Two million dollars was a lot of money. But it was also hush money. She felt dirty even thinking about having that kind of money.
It could pay for college.
That argument alone had her wanting to take the money.
“Are you okay?” Evan asked, pulling her from her thoughts.
AJ blinked to find that they were already parked in his driveway. She could have sworn that they were in the student parking lot not five minutes ago.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I’ve just been thinking about the settlement money.”
“I thought you were thinking about the fact that college acceptance letters go out today.”
Shock filled her. AJ had completely forgotten that today was Ivy League day. All of the Ivies sent out their letters at the same time. The scandal with the article had consumed her thoughts, distracting her from the most important moment of her high school life.
“I’ve been so consumed with the settlement money that I completely forgot. What time do they go out again?”
The flash of concern in Evan’s eyes was hard to miss. For so long, she had been counting the days until they found out what colleges wanted them. “Five. AJ, are you sure you’re okay? This settlement money has really gotten to you.”
She was silent for a moment as she stared at her hands. “Honestly, Evan, I don’t want it.”
“Then don’t take it,” he said.
AJ gazed up at him to see the encouragement flash in his brown eyes. “But it’s two million dollars. It could pay for college. It could pay for my Ph.D. It’s a lot of money, and I know that if I don’t get a scholarship, my parents are going to pay, and … college isn’t cheap.”
Evan sighed as he unbuckled his belt and turned in his seat. “AJ, not sure if you noticed this or not, but your parents are more than well off. They both have successful jobs, and you have the trust fund your grandparents started for you
when you were born. And then your mother’s father, too. Seriously, you’ll have no problem paying for college—especially since you’ll be getting a full ride. I know it.”
His words of encouragement caused her heart to race in her chest.
Squeezing to ensure that she knew it wanted to love Evan.
“You have too much faith.”
“You don’t have enough,” he countered.
She rolled her eyes, knowing he was right. “Whatever. Do you wanna come study at my place before the letters go out? I have physics homework to do so that should keep my mind off everything.”
“Sure,” Evan said and then opened the car door, getting out.
AJ pulled on the door handle and jumped out of his car. She went to the trunk as Evan pressed the button on the key, and it popped open.
Just as she reached in to fetch her bag, Evan’s phone beeped. “Hunter just said a couple of colleges released their acceptance letters early.”
“What?” She pulled her bag out and pulled out her phone. She noticed several text messages from some of the students in her class. One got her attention.
Jordan: Hey, Alex. Did you get letters? Willow got some, but I haven’t received any just yet.
Her heart sped up as anticipation clawed through her chest, making it hard for her to breathe and think.
Alex: I haven’t checked just yet.
Jordan: I think some won’t release until 5 p.m. Good luck, Alex. I know you’ll get acceptance letters.
Alex: Thanks, Jordan. You will, too.
“I have a letter waiting for me,” Evan said, getting her attention.
AJ lowered her phone to see him staring at his. “Open it,” she encouraged.
He swallowed hard, the muscles in his neck strained. “Should we wait for your parents?”
