Smooth Play (Brooklyn Monarchs 2)

He sat up and rubbed the back of his neck. “I called Sunday to apologize, but she won’t return my messages.”

Jaclyn sighed. “Troy, you’ve got to make some changes.”

Troy stared blindly at his desk. “How can I when she won’t talk to me?”

“I’m not talking about Andrea. I’m talking about here.”

Panic made him cold. He’d just gotten his job back. Was he about to lose it again? “What changes?”

Jaclyn uncrossed her legs and sat forward, cupping the coffee mug between her palms. “Your blind loyalty to the team has been the greatest threat to the Monarchs all season. You withheld your knowledge of Barron’s addiction and challenged Gerald in the press.”

Troy held Jaclyn’s gaze with difficulty. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m sure you won’t make the same mistakes again. But I don’t want you making similar ones, either.”

“I won’t.”

She glanced again at the feature. “What about your reaction to Andrea’s story? Asking her not to run it was over the top.”

“I know. I should have realized she’d do a good job with it.”

Jaclyn nodded. “Andrea has been very fair in her coverage of the franchise over the years. If it weren’t for her, Marc’s reputation would have been ruined.”

That possibility gave Troy pause. Where would the team be without DeMarcus as its head coach? More than likely watching the postseason games from their sofas. “And Gerry would still be co-owner.”

“Stop. You’ll give me nightmares.”

Troy sent her a reluctant smile. “I’ll work on improving my relationship with the press. I’ll reach out to them more and not give them such a hard time when they’re working on a story.”

“Good.” Jaclyn rose from her chair. “I hope things work out for you and Andrea, too. I think she’s just what you need.”

Troy stood, too. “I know. But am I what she needs?” The answer scared him.

Jaclyn tipped her head to the side. A slight smile curved her lips. “I think you are.”

“Why?” Troy’s pulse raced with renewed hope.

“I’ve seen the two of you together.”

Troy watched his boss leave after making that cryptic comment. What had Jaclyn meant? What had she seen? And how could he convince Andrea to give him another chance?

22

Andrea walked into the Sports’s reception area Monday afternoon. She should have known Troy wouldn’t go away just because she wasn’t returning his calls. Her knees grew weak at the sight of him in a gunmetal gray, slim-cut suit and sapphire tie. He turned and caught her gaze. Andrea’s heart tripped.

“Hello, Troy. What can I do for you?” She kept her voice and expression cool even as the muscles in her stomach quivered like Jell-O.

“Have lunch with me.”

Andrea didn’t trust his invitation or his crooked smile. Did he intend to take away her home court advantage so he could rake her over the coals about her feature on Barron? She was proud of that piece, and nothing he could say would change her mind.

She raised her chin. “No, thank you.”

His smile wavered. Uncertainty winked in his ebony eyes. “Andy, I’d really like to talk with you.”

Andrea angled her head, no longer sure of his intent. “I’m listening.”

Troy glanced toward Vella, who sat at her receptionist’s desk, before reclaiming Andrea’s gaze. “In private.”