Double Score

I could only imagine what Steve was thinking as he watched the optics on this interview unravel.

“In the weeks since your grandfather’s death there have been reports that the transition of team ownership may not have been as smooth as the fans were led to believe.” Chantel held up a piece of paper. “You have an older brother, Daniel McCade who was the original heir to the franchise, isn’t that correct?”

I had no idea where she was going with this question. It didn’t sound good.

“Yes, but the transition has been completed and I have really settled in at the Warriors offices.”

Chantel didn’t let up. “My understanding from an inside source is that your brother does have a legal claim to the team if he did choose to contest the will.” I was going to lose it. Possibly throw up on the set. “Dylan, if Vanessa was no longer the team’s owner, would that change things for you?”

Holy shit. Who was this woman? A one-woman wrecking ball?

“Come on, Chantel. You can’t ask a newly engaged man something like that.” He pulled me closer to him. “Look at her. She’s gorgeous. Smart. Gifted in so many ways. I didn’t ask her to marry me because of her last name. Let’s get that out there right now. No matter what happens, I’m going to play ball and I’m going to marry this woman. Got that?”

I stared at Dylan. I knew it was a charade. I knew we had concocted this entire story to save the Warriors, but I felt as if he had just saved me. He had rescued me from the hole in the floor that was swallowing me up, starting with my designer heels.

Chantel’s eyes widened. “Well, for my viewers, if you’re looking for a real-life love story, I think we’ve found it. We’ll be back with Vanessa and Dylan after this break. I want to hear all the wedding details.” She smiled.

The producer threw his hand forward and everyone broke their poses. The commercial break countdown clock started ticking overhead.

Dylan glared at her. “What the hell was that, Chantel?”

“This is Sports Now. I’m doing my job. That job includes asking important questions. We’re not at the hotel getting a drink while I’m in town for the night,” she seethed.

Oh shit. My eyes darted between them. She was jealous. Not just sideline jealous. She was scorned jealous. Dylan had slept with her some time in the past. I had no way of knowing how long ago.

“You two have history,” I eked.

Chantel’s eyes hardened. “Your fiancé has history with every woman he’s met. You knew that before you said yes, didn’t you?”

Just then Isaac strolled over. “Interesting interview.” His eyes were warm. I knew he was trying to reassure me, even though there was no way he could say anything.

“Maybe you’d want to switch seats with me, man?” Dylan joked.

I wished it were that easy—that I could interchange them whenever I wanted. Was that bad? Was that a terrible thought? They each gave me such different pleasure in bed, why wouldn’t it be the same when we were out of bed? I could lean on Isaac. I could count on Dylan to distract me. It made sense they complimented each other’s personalities, just like their sexual gifts did.

“Too hot for you?” Chantel quipped.

“No,” he shot back. “Just stick to the engagement news. Stop tearing down Vanessa.”

“I had no idea you could be attached to one woman.” She tilted her chin as the makeup artists assaulted Chantel’s high cheekbones with the powder brush. “Maybe you’re more the marrying kind than I realized.”

“Cut it out, Chantel,” Isaac barked. “You’re a better journalist than this. Show some class for God’s sake.”

“These are the producers’ questions.” She ruffled her notes in his face. “I have a job to do, and that sometimes means asking questions that are uncomfortable.”

“It’s fine.” I wanted to put an end to the bickering. “Chantel, ask me whatever you feel is necessary.”

Both men’s heads swiveled toward me at lightning speed. “I’ve got this,” I whispered.

She smiled, looking like one of the villainesses in a Disney movie. “See? Vanessa is fine with the questions.”

I didn’t want to give her any more fuel. The more we resisted, the harder she was going to push back. I just wanted to get to the floral arrangements and the colors of the bridesmaid dresses. Enough with the family drama questions.

24

Isaac

I stood behind the camera, watching the rest of the interview. Chantel let up after the first commercial break. She steered things toward the wedding planning and asked Vanessa questions like how she planned on balancing running a team and planning a wedding. I rolled my eyes, the more she tried to pin Vanessa into a corner.