Fast Break (Brooklyn Monarchs 1)

The next twenty minutes passed with similar questions about his likes and dislikes. DeMarcus may have forgotten Troy’s caution about the reporter except for the warning glares the other man kept sending him.

Andrea glanced up from her notepad. “It’s not a secret the Monarchs have struggled for the past four seasons. What are your plans for turning the team around?”

They were moving into the meat of the interview. Her direct question relieved DeMarcus. Maybe Troy was worried for nothing. “We’re going to get back to the basics—offense, defense, shooting and footwork.”

Andrea entered his answer into her notepad as he spoke, then paused as though waiting for him to say something else. DeMarcus didn’t have anything to add.

The reporter glanced at her notes, then back to him. “The Monarchs have the oldest roster in the league. The average age of your players is thirty. Does that concern you?”

DeMarcus had been prepared for that question, too. “No, it doesn’t. We have the talent and the experience to win.”

“Then why aren’t you winning?”

He couldn’t ask for a more direct question than that one. Unfortunately, he didn’t have an answer. Yet. He glanced at Troy. The media executive gave him an I-Warned-You look.

He turned his attention to Andrea’s steady gaze. “It goes back to leadership. In addition to skills and experience, a

team needs a stable structure to succeed.”

Andrea recorded his response even as she kept her questions coming. “Then you’re conceding this season?”

That pulled him up short. “What makes you ask that?”

She scribbled across the sheet of paper. “This is only your first season. You’ll need more than one year to build a stable structure.”

DeMarcus leaned forward, drawing her gaze to his. “We’re going to have a winning season. I’m not conceding anything.”

Troy shifted in his seat. “I’m sure you’re aware of Marc’s reputation. He’s used to winning. Losing isn’t part of his vocabulary.”

“But it’s very much a part of the Monarchs’ vocabulary.” Andrea shifted her attention from Troy back to DeMarcus. “They’ve struggled for the past four years. For the past two years, they’ve been at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. Do you really expect to turn them around in one season?”

Her follow-up questions had him against the ropes like a baby boxer facing a veteran pugilist. “Yes, I do.”

Andrea arched a brow. “By getting back to basics?”

DeMarcus caught her faint sarcasm. “Yes.”

Andrea recorded more notes. “What about the rumors that you were hired to lose?”

DeMarcus went cold. “What rumors?”

Troy turned toward her. “Where did you hear that?”

Andrea glanced at the media executive. “You know I can’t reveal my sources.” She returned to DeMarcus. “How do you respond to those rumors?”

DeMarcus ignored the seed of anger growing in him. “What are you talking about?”

Andrea paused. “You really don’t know? There are rumors the owners hired you for your name, not your ability. They don’t want you to win.”

DeMarcus unclenched his jaw. “Why would I join an organization that didn’t want to win?”

Andrea shook her head. Her straight brown locks shifted over her shoulders. “I don’t know.”

“I wouldn’t. Not as a player or as a coach.” DeMarcus no longer found her brown eyes friendly or her directness refreshing.

Troy leaned into the table, claiming Andrea’s attention. “The Monarchs are committed to reclaiming the team’s winning tradition. That’s why we hired Marc Guinn as our head coach.”

Andrea resettled her gaze on DeMarcus. There was speculation in her eyes. “But you don’t have any coaching experience.”