Smooth Play (Brooklyn Monarchs 2)

DeMarcus played with the fingers of Jaclyn’s left hand. Her four-carat, Monarch-cut diamond engagement ring sparkled in the overhead light. “I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll play nicely with reporters if you tell me which one of the players has a personality similar to mine.”

That comment surprised a laugh from Troy. “Are you still trying to figure that out?”

DeMarcus frowned at him. “If you know, why don’t you just tell me?”

Jaclyn pulled her fingers from DeMarcus’s hold. “No one’s going to tell you. Get to know your players, Marc.” She patted his shoulder before turning her sharp brown eyes on Troy. “Was the angry man who marched out of here a reporter?”

“Kirk West from the Horn.” Troy’s gaze dipped to the newspaper in her hand. He’d lay odds she’d read the New York Sports article on Barron.

Jaclyn settled both fists on her hips. She gave DeMarcus a fierce frown. “If I see even a hint of a negative article about the Monarchs because of you, you and I will have some strong words.”

“Yes, ma’am.” DeMarcus sounded chastened, but laughter lit his eyes.

Jaclyn sighed. “Why do I waste my breath?” She held up the newspaper and looked from DeMarcus to Troy. “Have you read the Sports article on Barron?”

DeMarcus shook his head. “I don’t read articles about the team while we’re in season.”

Troy tensed. “I did.”

Jaclyn sat in a chair beside DeMarcus. “Is Barron abusing drugs?”

DeMarcus straightened in his seat. “Barron’s not using.”

An image of Barron weaving his way out of the nightclub at two o’clock this morning flashed across Troy’s mind. Barron may be an alcoholic, but he wasn’t abusing hard drugs. “I spoke with Andy this morning. I told her to stop attacking our players.”

Jaclyn skimmed the article. “Andrea doesn’t attack Barron. She quotes our players who describe his behavior as irresponsible and unpredictable.”

Troy looked at DeMarcus. “The players should be reminded not to air their grievances in public.”

DeMarcus nodded. “I’ll talk to them at today’s practice.”

Jaclyn laid the paper on the table. “That’s not the point. I’m concerned Barron may be in trouble.”

Troy crossed his arms over his chest and feigned a confidence he didn’t feel. “Andy’s trying to advance her career with sensational stories.”

Jaclyn’s brows knitted. “That’s not like her.”

Troy wasn’t as sure about Andrea. But he did know the Monarchs’ playbook centered around its captain. How far would the team advance in the play-offs without him? “Barron’s fine.”

Jaclyn pinned him with a look. “How do you know that? How often do you talk to him?”

Not that often. But for the good of the team, he had to find a way to minimize the damage Andrea’s article was causing internally as well as externally. “Often enough to know Barron’s behavior has always been aggressive and erratic. Andy’s exaggerating his actions to sell papers.”

Jaclyn’s eyes were clouded with concern. “Andrea has always been more than balanced in her coverage of us.”

Troy’s attention bounced from the newspaper back to Jaclyn’s gaze. “She shouldn’t be writing articles like that one.”

Jaclyn looked up at him. “We can’t tell the media what to write as long as they’re writing the truth. That’s what I’m trying to find out.” She turned to DeMarcus. “How has Barron seemed to you?”

DeMarcus shrugged. “The same. A couple of times, he’s come to practice with hangovers, but he’s passed the drug tests.”

Jaclyn nodded. “Keep an eye on him.”

DeMarcus checked his watch. “I’d better go. Practice starts soon.” He kissed Jaclyn’s cheek before leaving.

Troy uncrossed his arms. “The only reason we’re putting Barron under a microscope is because of Andy’s article.”

Jaclyn gathered the newspaper and stood. “Her article raises an important question.”