“I don’t have to prove anything to you. I know I’m doing the right thing. I’m trying to help people.”
“I don’t see how this article helps Barron.”
She took a breath to stave her rising temper. “Obviously, he does, otherwise he wouldn’t have allowed me to interview him.”
Troy uncrossed his arms and left the kitchen. “I have a problem believing Barron agreed to the interview.”
Andrea followed him, afraid to even ask the question. “Do you think I’m lying?”
“I think you did more persuading than you’re admitting.”
His words were a punch to her heart. “Why don’t you trust me? Why am I back to being the enemy?”
Troy spun toward her. “The team has had to cope with Barron’s erratic behavior, the Insider, and then finding out one of the franchise owners was willing to blackmail a referee to have them lose in the play-offs. It’s enough, Andy. Give Barron his space.”
Andrea’s shoulders dropped. “Is that what you think about me?” She cleared her throat. “I’m not out to get Barron or the team. I’m writing this article to help as many people as I can.”
Troy sighed. “You’re always looking for ways for atonement. That’s why you invited a homeless woman and her child to move in with you.”
“It’s worked out well.” Andrea crossed her arms and angled her chin.
“It’s also the reason you convinced a professional athlete to enter a substance abuse program.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“When will it be enough?”
“Why does it have to be?”
Troy spread his arms. “You’re a sports reporter. Write about the game.”
Andrea shook her head. “I have a platform that allows me to help people, and I want to use it.”
Troy paced across the room, massaging the back of his neck. “I don’t want you to write that piece.”
“This will not be a negative article.” She felt like a broken record. “Why won’t you believe me?”
“You may not mean for it to show the Monarchs in a bad light, but a lot of readers will interpret it that way.” He spoke with his back to her.
“Not the way I intend to write it.”
“That’s a gamble, and this isn’t a good time for it. It will pull the team’s attention from the play-offs.”
Andrea hooked her hands onto her hips. “In your mind, I don’t think there will ever be a good time to run a story that doesn’t glorify the Monarchs.”
Troy looked over his shoulder toward her. “You’re probably right. I’m asking you not to run this one.”
Andrea’s muscles went slack with shock. “You’re telling me what to write?”
He faced her. “I’m asking you.”
“You can’t do that.”
“I am.”
Andrea struggled to pull her thoughts back together. “You’re my lover, not my editor.”
His expression was sad, almost tormented. “Are we always going to butt heads?”