Smooth Play (Brooklyn Monarchs 2)

Troy fisted his palms. “Gerry, the blog has to come down.”

Gerald shrugged. “Maybe it does. But I can’t make that decision.” He turned back around. “You accused me of trying to destroy the team. In the end, you’re the one who caused it the greatest harm because of that interview. Isn’t that ironic?” Gerald shook his head as he left the room.

The parting comment weighed like a stone in Troy’s chest. He was right. In trying to protect the team, Troy had done more damage than Gerald ever had. He’d created a huge distraction while the team was already struggling with its first postseason appearance in four years. Why hadn’t he considered that before he’d asked to do the ESPN interview?

Then something else Gerald said returned to him. Troy frowned at Jaclyn. “Why did Gerry ask me about today’s blog? What has he posted now?”

Jaclyn circled the table and walked toward the door. “You can read the post later.”

His skin grew cold. He beat Jaclyn to the exit and stood barring her way. “Just tell me.”

She met his eyes. “The Insider said you gave Andrea exclusive coverage with the Monarchs because you’re sleeping with her.”

10

Troy saw a different Andrea Benson when she opened the door to her apartment Tuesday evening. The normally buttoned-up reporter wore hot pink Capri pants, exposing her trim calves and slender ankles. Superman’s logo dominated a powder blue T-shirt that molded her small breasts. But her toes were the greatest surprise. Who would have thought her conservative black pumps hid sparkly pink toenails?

“I asked you to call me.” Andrea stood with one hand braced on the doorjamb. The other gripped the doorknob.

He dragged his gaze back to her eyes. “I wanted to talk with you in person. May I come in?”

He sensed a “no” hovering between them. Andrea considered him for a silent moment. She seemed uncertain. Troy braced for the rejection. He’d lost his job. Disappointed a boss he admired and was the source of distraction for the team he’d tried to protect. He couldn’t handle being turned away now. Troy opened his mouth to plead his case just as Andrea stepped aside.

She gave him a curious look. “How did you know where I lived?”

Troy crossed her threshold. “Connie’s change of address form. Jackie gave it to me since I no longer have access to employee records.”

He followed her down a short entryway, past a modest kitchen. She took him to an eclectic living room that held a collection of mismatched furnishings and even more surprises. “Serge?”

The Monarchs forward looked up from his position sprawled on the beige carpet. He was propped on his elbow. A coloring book lay in front of him. He gripped a small crayon in his large hand. “Troy.”

Troy shifted his attention to his former secretary. He hadn’t had a chance to call her. Had Andrea already told Constance she didn’t work for him anymore? “Hi, Connie.”

Constance smiled at him. She was sitting on the floor with her legs folded. “Hi, Mr. Marshall.”

“Troy,” he urged her, not for the first time.

Constance laid her hand on the fine blond hair of the little girl lying belly down on the carpet between her and Serge. “This is my daughter, Tiffany. Tiff, can you say hello to Mr. Marshall?”

The little girl looked up from her coloring book. “Hi.” The word came out on a long, soft breath.

Troy smiled. “Hi, Tiffany. You look just like your mother.”

Tiffany glanced at her mother before returning to her coloring.

What surprised Troy more? The presence of the Monarchs forward in the women’s apartment or the fact Serge was coloring with Constance and her toddler? How long had this relationship been developing?

Andrea gestured toward an attractive woman curled up in an armchair. “Faith, this is Troy Marshall.”

Faith set aside her sketchbook and stood to accept Troy’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too.” Troy saw the speculation in Faith’s eyes. What, if anything, had Andrea told her roommate about him?

Troy returned his attention to Andrea. “Can I speak with you privately?”

“Sure.” Andrea led him across the living room.

She opened the left rear window and climbed out onto a deep red metal fire escape. Troy hesitated before clenching his teeth and stepping out after her. Andrea closed the window partway, probably to minimize the amount of crisp spring air that blew into her apartment.