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It’s a fine line here. I’m a coach, and part of my job is to support and motivate my players.
But I won’t stand here and be questioned over my decisions, and bringing Asher in wasn’t solely my decision. It was a group effort, and frankly I’m angry that Austin thinks he can just walk in here and tell me how it’s going to be.
Fuck that.
He’s not in charge here, and if that’s how he wants to play it, he will be spending more time riding the pine because in all honesty, Asher is the stronger player. It’s why I wanted him here.
And if Austin was really honest with himself, he’d know that, too. It’s likely why he came to talk to me today, and he walked out of here knowing that questioning the way I do things won’t yield the results he’s hoping for.
A small part of me hopes he’ll tell his teammates about our encounter so they don’t question me next. But another part of me feels just the smallest sense of guilt that I was so firm with him when the truth of the matter is that I’m still all twisted up over Jolene and the photos some other reporter has of us.
She’s already affecting the way I coach, and the season is still months from starting.
I can’t imagine what that’s going to mean once it actually gets underway.
CHAPTER 5: JOLENE
“Can you get Cade and me into this?” Jonah asks me on Wednesday morning over breakfast. We haven’t officially moved into Sam’s place yet, but it’s the plan for this weekend since my rental company wants me out by the end of the month.
He hands me a flyer, and I read it out loud.
“Youth football camp hosted by Cory Marshall and Austin Graham of the Vegas Aces. One day only. Register by…” I trail off and scan through the details. “It’s this Saturday. You want me to sign you up?”
He nods. “A kid at school said it’s full but I figured you can get us in. It’s so cool that you know real football players, Mom.”
Well I can’t not be cool in my seven-year-old’s eyes, right?
“I’ll see what I can do, but I can’t make any promises.”
He grins. “Thanks, Mom.” He leaps up from the table to hug me. “You’re the best.”
Now I really have to make it work.
As it turns out, the event is being put together by Ellie Dalton—the publicist who manages many Aces players. I haven’t formally met her yet, but I’ve heard great things.
I look her up and give her a call after Jonah catches the bus.
“Prince Charming Public Relations,” a voice answers.
“Hi there. My name is Jolene Bailey, and I’m the Vegas Aces correspondent with VG-oh-three. I’m looking for Ellie Dalton.”
“This is Ellie, and hi, Jolene! I’m a big fan and I am so excited to talk to you.” She’s bubbly and sweet and she already feels like a friend.
“You’re so kind,” I say, trying to maintain some semblance of modesty.
“What can I do for you?”
“My son just told me about the camp Marshall and Graham are hosting this weekend and I was wondering if you could snag me a couple spots for it. I’d be happy to cover the event for VG-oh-three,” I offer.
“News coverage? That’s a definite yes. I do know the camp has been filled for weeks, though, and we have space limitations due to fire codes,” she says. “Let me see what I can do and I’ll get back to you in a bit.”
“Thanks, Ellie. I appreciate it.”
True to her word, Ellie calls me back about an hour later when I’m deep into editing the interviews from the other day for the charity event.
“Great news. We had twin boys drop just last night because apparently they’re into baseball now instead of football, so we have two spots open.”
I laugh. “I will take them, and I’ll get my camera crew out there with me.”
