Smooth Play (Brooklyn Monarchs 2)

Faith tossed Andrea a smile. “Your dry spell has been longer.”

“Thanks for reminding me. I might have forgotten.” Andrea grabbed the television remote control and collapsed onto the faded tan armchair across from the small, aging television. It had been a long and mentally exhausting day. “Let’s invite Connie and her daughter for dinner tomorrow so we can get to know them.”

Faith curled up on the fat brown sofa on Andrea’s right. “Is she going to be another one of your good deeds?”

Andrea avoided Faith’s gaze. “She needs a home. We need a roommate. Why do you think it’s more complicated than that?”

Faith let out an exasperated sigh. “You’ve been doing penance for your mistake for as long as I’ve known you. When is it going to be enough?”

“I haven’t been keeping track.” The truth was she didn’t know. It may never be enough.

Faith’s expression clouded with concern. “Are you doing this because you want to or because you think you have to? Do you even know?”

“She seems nice and, if she moves in, everyone gets what they need. She gets a home for her and her daughter. We get someone to help with expenses. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”

Her friend studied her a moment longer. “All right. Invite them to dinner. We’ll see how it goes.”

Andrea’s shoulders relaxed. “Thank you.”

“Is that the reason you’ve been moping around all evening like someone stole your superpowers?”

Andrea scowled. “It’s worse. Troy pulled my access to the team.”

“What? Why?” Faith sounded ready to pummel Troy.

“He says he’s trying to protect the team from bad press.”

Faith’s brows knitted. “Then why is he blocking you from the team? New York would have forgotten about the Monarchs if it wasn’t for you.”

Andrea’s gaze slid to the remote in her hands. She looked at the buttons without really seeing them. She’d rebuilt her confidence with the Monarchs. She could thank Jaclyn Jones for that. “Troy thinks he’s doing the right thing. I don’t agree, but how do I change his mind?”

“By working for another paper.” Faith uncurled her legs, planting her feet on the floor. “Troy thinks he can get away with treating you unfairly because you write for Sports. He wouldn’t treat the Times or the Daily News this way.”

Andrea wasn’t as certain. “He said he will.”

Faith snorted. “No, he won’t. Face it, Andrea. You need to work for a newspaper with more clout.”

Faith was a good friend and the closest thing to family she had since her mother died. But Faith’s expectations for Andrea’s career advancement were sometimes more stressful than encouraging. “I enjoy working for Sports. The pay is horrible. Resources are slim to none. And technology is decades behind industry standards. But Will is a good boss. He gave me an opportunity when no one else would.”

“And you’re afraid they’ll reject you again when you start looking for a new job.”

Andrea lifted her worried gaze to Faith. “It’s too soon to expect they’ve forgotten my past.”

Faith crossed her arms. “You’re the one who won’t let go of the past. It’s been four years. How long are you going to punish yourself for your mistakes?”

“We’ve had this conversation before. You don’t understand what it was like.”

“No, I don’t. But I do know that you’re the only thing holding you back. You’re a great writer. Even I can see that and I don’t like sports.”

Andrea stared at the floor. Instead of the red and orange Oriental-style rug, she saw broken dreams and unfulfilled goals. “I want to write for a major paper again. I want a wider audience.”

“A bigger paycheck wouldn’t hurt, either.”

“But just because I want it doesn’t mean I’ll get it.” Or that I deserve it.

“The role of Eternal Penitent doesn’t suit you.” Faith leaned toward Andrea. “Get off your backside, pack up your fears, and go for it.”

“I would—if I had somewhere to go. The industry has a long memory.” Andrea pointed the remote control at the television screen and pressed the on button, signaling the end of the discussion.