Impossible To Resist (BWWM Romance Book 1)(46)
The crowd murmured, clearly confused by his solo appearance. He flashed them his trademark smile and continued, relieved they weren’t bombarding him with questions.
“So I thought I’d just come on in here and have a little sit down with you fine people.”
This was met with nervous titters, as if waiting for the punchline. Finally, one brave soul got up the courage to ask a question.
“How’s the leg doing, Jump?”
“Feels great, didn’t you see me play on Sunday?” Jared teased the reporter.
“But you’re late getting in today, aren’t you?” the reporter continued.
“In case you didn’t notice, most of the team is late today. Whitey gave us a small reprieve this morning as a reward for how well we played on Sunday,” Jared grinned and offered a challenge, “but if you’d like to test out my leg, feel free to follow me to the practice field when we’re done here and I’ll be happy to race you.”
“Glover had some pretty harsh comments about your Sunday Night Football appearance, do you have anything for him?” another voice shouted from the back of the room.
“Nah, he’s entitled to his opinion.” Jared apologized, “I’m sorry, I know you all came for more about Glover and our little feud, but I would love to discuss something a little more important if you don’t mind.” When nobody objected, Jared continued, “So here’s the thing, you all know I’ve been away for a while working hard on my recovery. All that time away got me to thinking, I really need to make some changes in my life and I’m starting with some of the people close to me. Derek? Where are you, Derek?
“Come on, everybody, help me get my agent out here. I know he wouldn’t miss this for the world.” Jared paused for effect. “Oh, wait, he’s not here? Shocking. You know where else he wasn’t? In Amherst with me while I was recovering. In fact, he dropped me off in a sparsely decorated house and took off for a few months.”
The reporters responded to that; there were whispers but nobody asked another question. They just waited, expectantly.
Jared looked around the room, felt the excitement build, and continued, “Do you know when Derek showed up again? He popped up on my doorstep with an impromptu interview after he divulged my whereabouts to you fine folks when he decided it was time for me to return to L.A.
“Doesn’t that sound like a great agent to you? I mean, he arranged any number of things on my behalf and even withheld important family events from me because Derek knows best, right?” Jared leaned forward as if sharing a secret with the reporters. “Except, he doesn’t. He’s a lying, manipulative piece of shit.
“Do you know that my Dad had a stroke and Derek told my mom not to tell me because he thought it would affect my recovery? Who doesn’t want to know if something serious happened to their parent?”
Honestly, Jared couldn’t believe nobody interrupted him but the room fell silent. He scratched at his freshly shaven face.
“You know, I think there comes a time when it’s best that people just part ways and that time has come for Derek and me. So, you all are among the first to know that Derek Fitzgerald is no longer my agent.
“I fired him this morning, he should have gotten that notice right around,” Jared looked at his watch, “now. I’m sure his face is about eight shades of red and he’s thinking back to all of the poor choices he’s made.”
“So you don’t have an agent?” a shaky voice carried up to him from the back of the room.
“Actually, I do,” Jared leaned back in his chair. “I’ve taken some really solid advice from people I really respect and decided to sign on with Ameryst Rice at Chrysalis. I believe she will do right by me in the years to come.”
“Doesn’t she represent some of your teammates?” another voice asked, eager and excited at the realization that they were possibly landing the story of the season.
“Yes, she does,” Jared confirmed but didn’t elaborate. “I think that’s all I have to say, but feel free to follow me out to the practice field.”
Jared stood and walked out of the room despite the eruption from the crowd. His phone vibrated in his pocket but he ignored it and headed straight for the locker room where his teammates abruptly stopped talking and stared. Xander walked up, gave an approving smile, and headed out toward the field.
“Did you really just fire Derek in the middle of a press conference?” Trey stepped into his line of vision.
Jared nodded and shrugged. “Yep.”
“Damn, bro. That’s some serious shit.” Trey shook his head in disbelief. “You’re gonna have some shit to answer to for that one.”
“Meh.” Jared shrugged again. “I did the right thing, Trey.”
“I hope so, I really do.” Trey stepped aside.
A few of his teammates nodded their approval, some just gawked at him like he had a disease or lost his mind, but mostly, they all just let him pass. Jared tossed his duffel bag into his locker and dressed for practice like nothing happened.
Jared felt surprisingly refreshed and undeniably optimistic as he took the practice field. He suspected that things were going to work out just fine.
**
“See! I told you he was a good guy!” Jaida exclaimed to her sister. She didn’t understand why her sister couldn’t see what Jared was trying to do. “Alex, you should talk to him.”