Page 108 of The Game We Played

And I do want to meet with Knox. He was all mysterious about why he wanted to meet. Maybe he found a magazine willing to publish my article. Another vote for stay. The stays carry it.

I climb out of my car and scan the area for any sign of an asshole football player who totally fooled me into thinking he’s a good guy. No sign of him. Good.

Knock it off, Alaia. Don’t let Tanner see how he destroyed you.

I nod. Damn right I won’t. I’m going into the resort with my head held high. Screw him.

I march into the resort. I bypass the reception desk and make my way to the conference rooms. I find the one I need and straighten my skirt before knocking on the door.

“Come in!”

At Knox’s shout, I inhale a deep breath and enter the room. I stumble to a halt when I realize Knox isn’t alone.

“What’s going on?”

Knox stands and walks to me. He escorts me to a seat before answering.

“This is Rose. She’s the Director of Communications. And Ed, the general manager. Ursula is the Human Resources Director. And I’m sure you know Daymond, the owner of theSteel City Seals.”

My palms begin to sweat. Holy smugglers. These are the bigwigs of theSeals.

I force myself to smile. “It’s lovely to meet all of you. But I’m a bit confused as to why I’m here. I thought you wanted to discuss the article I wrote, Knox.”

“We do,” Rose says. “But not the article on Knox. The one in theSmuggler’s Gazette.”

My article on loyalty in the sports world saved theGazette.So many people paid to download a copy online that there’s now enough money to keep theGazettegoing for at least another year. But I have no idea why the management of theSealswants to discuss it unless…

“I’m sorry. I did my best to keep the Seals out of the article.”

Rose waves away my apology. “You didn’t harm the team.”

“Quite the contrary,” Daymond adds.

My brow wrinkles. “I’m confused. Why am I here?”

Ursula clears her throat. “This is an interview for the position of Public Relations Manager for the Seals.”

My eyes widen. “Me? PR manager?”

“This is not how things are usually done,” she mutters.

Should I apologize again?

“Ignore her,” Ed says. “She’s annoyed because she didn’t get a chance to screen you first before this interview.”

Daymond leans back in his chair and studies me. I dig my fingernails into my thighs to keep from squirming under his scrutiny. I barely manage. He’s a billionaire owner of an NFL team. Why is he even in this room?

“When someone manages to write an article to diffuse a potentially disastrous situation for one of the team, we can skip the HR formalities.”

Ursula scowls but everyone ignores her.

“I didn’t diffuse the situation. Someone leaked the video – I’m assuming it was Sam the asshole agent – and it’s all over social media.”

“But the discussion isn’t about what Tanner did. And how he should be kicked off the team for not being discreet. The discussion is about who leaked the video. Whether leaking the video was ethical. And ethics in the NFL. Your article did that.”

It is? I did? I haven’t read any of the comments on the article. In fact, I’ve staunchly avoided all social media for the past week. The last thing I need is to watch the man I love – correction, thought I loved – with another woman.

“I didn’t realize.”