Page 73 of Offsides

Chapter Twenty-Five

Theo sat in the dark editing bay, scrolling through all the footage she and Steve had collected over the last few weeks, plus what the local affiliate in Las Vegas had sent over of the Fremont Cup. There were hours of video, leaving her feeling more than a little lost on where to start. Steve had offered to sit with her, but the editing bay was basically a closet, and for as much as she liked Steve, the idea of spending hours crammed in here with him was not appealing. Being alone also afforded her the option of having a pity party while she was here.

Just a few hours ago she’d left Cowboy standing in the parking lot, having hurled insults and personal jabs at each other for the better part of God knows how long. All over what? A stupid interview?

No, the interview wasn’t stupid. It also wasn’t going to make or break her feature. She just really, really wanted it. Wanted to have the chance to talk to Dash, get his side of the story. There was more to it than him simply getting wasted in a strip club—there always was. This had been her chance to help him show that. Instead, Cowboy had shut her down, without even talking to her about why she had wanted the interview.

Her calls to Felicity had gone unanswered as well. Although it was hard to know if that was due to Cowboy having already talked to her or simply because she was still trying to deal with Dash ruining her post wedding high. Even if it was the latter, it was only a matter of time before Cowboy did get to her, turning her against Theo. So much for that relationship. Or any relationship she’d had with the Atlanta Rising.

If she were being honest with herself though, those were not the relationships she cared about. There was only one that really mattered to her. And it was the one with the tattoo-covered former player who made that funny feeling appear in her tummy every time he appeared in the footage she was scanning. She’d already had to stop herself multiple times from pausing the video and just staring at him, her heart racing as her mind flashed back to what it was like to be in his arms, that deep, raspy voice whispering things in her ear, and that laugh that could light up all of Vegas. He’d been the first person to truly understand her in a long time. Maybe ever. But now he was gone.

This was why reporter first, woman second had been what she’d reminded herself of every day for so many years. So this kind of thing didn’t get in her way.

And so I didn’t get my heart broken…

“You’re burning the midnight oil,” Dana said, poking her head in the editing bay.

Theo jumped, her pulse skipping a beat. She hadn’t realized there was anyone else here other than the late-night crew, who were prepping for the morning news. She turned to look at her mentor, forcing a smile.

“Just trying to get a jump on everything. There’s a lot to go through.”

Dana narrowed her eyes, studying Theo, lips pursed. Theo could feel the scrutiny in her mentor’s gaze, making her want to shrink down to nothing. Did Dana know that she wasn’t getting the interview? Sliding into the little room, Dana closed the door behind her, the soft click of the latch filling the air.

“Alright child, out with it.”

“Out with what?”

“Whatever it is that’s eating at you. And don’t tell me there isn’t something. I know you too well for that.”

Theo sighed, slouching down in her chair. She didn’t want to talk about this. Any of it. She especially didn’t want to tell Dana, of all people, just how badly she had messed this up. On both a personal and professional level.

“It’s nothing, really. I’m just tired from the trip.”

Dana eyed her again, obviously not believing a word Theo had just said.

“The Rising won’t give me an interview with Dash.”

There, I admitted it…

“The story that juicy?” Dana asked, slipping into the chair next to Theo. Her eyes were wide, her back straight, ready to hang on every word Theo said. Too bad it wasn’t that exciting of a tale.

“Just the opposite actually. He just got really drunk, blacked out, and decided to go streaking. Or, well, whatever you call it when you just stand there naked. To my knowledge there wasn’t actually any running involved. Just some salsa dancing.”

“What about the video of him being arrested?”

“The cops just tossed him in the drunk tank and let him sleep it off. They made him pee in a cup, and it was clean, so they didn’t feel the need to charge him with anything.”

“So then you don’t really need the interview. It’s a nonstory.”

A nonstory. Yeah, right. Maybe on its own it wouldn’t stand, but it belonged in her feature. Sure, she didn’t know how she would have fit it in, but she would have made it work.

“It’s not a nonstory! It’s directly related to them winning the Fremont Cup! It should be included.”

“Why, so you can end the piece on a sour note? No one wants that. End it all happy with them winning. That’s what viewers want—the happy ending.”

A happy ending. Theo sighed again. She’d been so close to her own happy ending, or so it had seemed. Until he’d turned on her.

"That’s not what’s really bothering you though, is it?” Dana asked, leaning back. Her tone had changed, from wise media maven and mentor to something that was a lot more motherly.