Smooth Play (Brooklyn Monarchs 2)

“I lost my job. How can it get any worse?”

Andrea spread her arms to draw his attention to their surroundings. “You can lose everything. That’s how it can get worse. I know because that’s what happened to me.”

12

The anger in Troy’s eyes was replaced with concern. “Why do other reporters ignore you?”

Andrea swallowed to ease the dryness in her throat. “A couple of years ago, I made a rash decision. It cost me my job. And then I lost everything I had.”

“What happened?”

Troy focused his intense gaze completely on her. It seemed as though he was trying to read her mind. Did she want to give him access to her thoughts? She admired him because of his control. She found his confidence attractive. Did she want to reveal to him a part of herself that was less than commendable? She had to. How else could she convince him of the risk he was taking? He had to understand why it was so important to stay in control.

Andrea held Troy’s gaze despite the shame slowly crushing her. Confession was good for the soul. Or so she’d heard. But it took a lot of courage to make yourself this vulnerable to another person. “I made up a story about a successful professional basketball player whose family was well known and well loved in the community. I was sure the team was giving the player preferential treatment.”

Troy’s eyebrows leaped almost to his hairline. “What made you think that?”

“Jealousy.” She responded without emotion. She wouldn’t dress up or excuse her behavior. “I couldn’t believe someone my age could have so much. I was certain someone somewhere was breaking the rules.”

Troy prompted her. “And were they?”

“Of course not.” Her courage stumbled. She forced herself to continue. “The day the story ran, the player’s family complained to my editor. I admitted I’d made it up. My editor fired me on the spot, of course. And because the player was from a prominent family in the community, no one would hire me.”

“The player’s family had you blackballed?”

Andrea’s cheeks heated. “I deserved it.”

There was an extended silence as Andrea relived her mistakes. What must Troy think of her? How much harder would it be to earn his trust now?

He broke the silence first. “Did you ever apologize?”

“I tried to.”

“What did he say?”

“She.” Andrea took another breath. “Jackie Jones saw me at the Morning Glory Chapel’s soup kitchen.”

Troy’s eyes widened. “Jackie?”

Willpower kept her standing when her knees wanted to give way. “She said I’d suffered enough. In the eight months since I’d been fired, I’d lost my car and my apartment.” And her mother.

“So she forgave you.”

“And she got me an interview with Sports when no one else would give me a chance.”

Troy paced back to her. “If she’s forgiven you, why can’t you forgive yourself ?”

Andrea blinked. “What makes you think I haven’t?”

Troy gave her a curious smile. “You mean you want to work for Sports?” He spread his arms. “It’s a fine paper, but you could do a lot better, Andy. I mean a lot.”

His compliment took her off guard. She didn’t know how to respond. “You’ve never said that before.”

“I should have. Why haven’t you left Sports?”

She combed her fingers through her hair. “You were in D.C. when this happened. It wasn’t a big deal there. But in New York, it was huge. Jackie’s grandfather made sure no editor would talk to me.”

“I’m sorry.”