Smooth Play (Brooklyn Monarchs 2)

This interrogation was worse than Troy’s clash with Gerald. Jaclyn’s experience practicing law before assuming her role with her family’s franchise was probably the reason Troy felt as though he were on trial. “Gerry’s tried to get reporters to write stories criticizing the Monarchs before.”

“But you don’t have any proof that he’s behind the blog, do you? You don’t have anything connecting him to those posts.”

Troy balanced his right elbow on his thigh and braced his forehead in his right palm. “No, I don’t.”

“I’ll ask you again. What were you thinking? No. Wait. I have a better question. Were you thinking?”

Troy tightened his grip on his cell phone. “I wanted to stop Gerry’s attacks against the team.”

There was a beat of silence before Jaclyn spoke. “Troy, with that one interview, you’ve done more damage than the Insider, whoever that may be.”

Troy straightened in his armchair. Her accusation seemed unfair. How did he respond to that? “What are you saying?”

“You went on television with a baseless accusation that your boss was trying to destroy the team.” Jaclyn’s voice was taut with anger. “In a best-case scenario, you’re being disloyal to your employer. In a worst-case scenario, you’re committing slander.”

Troy switched his phone to his right hand and flexed his left to relax his fist. “But I’m right.”

“Without proof, you’re just reckless.”

Troy paced his hotel room. His bare feet sank into the soft carpet. He didn’t want to believe she was right. “What can I do now?”

“I don’t know. If you’d talked to me before talking to ESPN, I’d have stopped you.” The anger had drained from Jaclyn’s tone. “Why is it that the men in my life don’t discuss their plans with me first?”

Troy’s face heated. Jaclyn was talking about him. She was also speaking of DeMarcus, who hadn’t told her about Gerald’s attempts to blackmail him several months ago. DeMarcus intended to deal with Gerald on his own. Luckily, Jaclyn found out about Gerald’s scheme in time.

Just as DeMarcus’s strategy had almost backfired on him, Troy was now dealing with the ramifications of his impetuous act. “I should have talked with you first.”

“He could sue you for slander.”

Troy heard the concern in Jaclyn’s somber tone. He massaged the back of his neck. “That might be next. He fired me this morning.”

“What? He can’t fire you without consulting me. Not only am I his partner, I’m the general manager.”

Troy stilled, gripping the back of the hotel’s desk chair. The muscles in his neck slowly unknotted. “Good. Then I’ve still got my job.”

Jaclyn’s hesitation didn’t bode well. “It’s not that easy, Troy.”

“Why not?”

“Gerry’s your boss. We both own fifty percent of the Monarchs.”

“Yes, but—”

“He fired you because you went on the news and embarrassed him. Frankly, if you’d done that to me, I’d have fired you.”

Troy turned away from the window, rubbing his eyes. “I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“That’s good to know.” Jaclyn’s tone was dry.

Troy rested his hips against the desk chair. “I have to keep my job, Jackie.”

“I want you to keep your job, too. That’s why I told you to leave Gerry to me.”

Dread grew like a cold front from Troy’s abdomen. “So there’s nothing you can do?” He forced the question from his throat.

“I didn’t say that. I’ll arrange a meeting with Gerry. I’ll do my best to change his mind, but I can’t make any promises.”

“I understand.” His words rushed out on a relieved breath. “Thank you.”