Impossible To Resist (BWWM Romance Book 1)(53)
A.J. looked at the ball, turned it over in her hands. Something was written on it. He was writing on the ball, that’s what he was doing. A.J. couldn’t help but smile. Jared was good, really good.
“What?” Ally asked.
“He wrote on the ball,” A.J. explained and held it out for her friend, “see?”
“What the hell does that mean?” Ally studied it.
“It’s an inside joke,” A.J. replied. “I think you guys may be right about him.”
“It’s about damn time, sheesh” Jaida chimed in.
“Hey! Watch your mouth!” A.J. teased her sister. Maybe things would work out alright after all. A.J. looked at her football and traced the question he’d written. “Convinced?”
**
“That was amazing!” Jaida’s eyes danced with excitement as they were ushered toward their meeting with Jared.
“Yeah, it was pretty great,” A.J. admitted, still clinging to her football.
“Right this way.” The portly usher had collected them at the end of the fourth quarter and insisted they accompany him so they could meet with Jared after the game. They were escorted to a large press room that seemed prepped for a Nashville Cougars press conference, not the L.A. Panthers.
A.J. asked the usher but he claimed to be doing exactly what he was told. They were given seats in the back of the room, behind a few members of the press who’d apparently been too bored by the blow-out on the field to watch the end of it.
“Jump looks great,” one of the reporters said to nobody in particular.
“Yeah, who knew an injury like that could change a guy so much?” another chimed in.
“Anybody know what this is all about?” A woman walked in, seemingly bored by what she found there. A.J. recognized her and shrunk behind Rick’s family. Gloria Castle. She loathed that bitch and her tendency to gossip. It took everything in her to not hit her once before, A.J. really hoped she didn’t give her a reason today.
“Some big story, apparently.” The first reporter attempted to sound bored but the simple fact that he’d selected a seat in the front row betrayed his eagerness to land whatever story they were cooking up.
“Nobody knows anything?” Gloria pressed, clearly annoyed she didn’t have them all scooped.
“Nope, it’s been real hush, hush. We’ve been waiting, hoping to get a clue, but nothin’ exciting has happened other than Jump’s fan section.” The chatty reporter gestured toward their corner. Gloria’s eyes followed but she dismissed them almost immediately. Apparently a group of sick kids wasn’t flashy enough for Gloria Castle’s column.
A.J. watched the mousy woman scrutinize her competition and ultimately settle in a folding chair at the end of an unoccupied row. Gloria flipped out her notepad, ever the old school reporter, and crossed her plump, veiny legs. A.J. longed to throw something at her but opted to hug her football tighter instead.
The room filled up, several faces that A.J. recognized entered the mix. She began to realize that whatever this press conference was about, it must be pretty big because some of the most recognizable names in sports journalism were clamoring to find a spot in the room. Finally, a PR rep from Nashville strolled in and took a seat at the table. “We’ll be starting in a few minutes, folks. We ask that you hold all questions until the end. Thank you.” The rep slid over to the furthest chair and watched the door he’d just come through.
A ruddy-faced man with sprouts of white hair over his ears emerged from that same door a few moments later sending a wave of whispers through the room. A.J. leaned forward, she knew that face well enough, none other than Nashville Cougars head coach, Bill Davies. She nudged Ally who just raised her eyebrows in response.
Davies took the seat beside his PR rep and greeted the room with his warm, southern drawl. “Hey, y’all, thanks for sticking around today. I promise it’ll be worth yer while.” He paused as if trying to catch his breath, then continued with an easy grin. “It’s a bear gettin’ old, ain’t it? I’m about as old as they come in this league and I recently got some bad news.” Davies paused again, the PR rep patted his shoulder encouragingly. “It turns out that smoking is real bad for you.”
Nervous titters rippled through the crowd as the room began to understand what was coming. Several of the more seasoned reporters hung their heads.
“I have stage IV lung cancer and after discussing options with my family and the team,” Coach Davies sucked in a breath, “I’ve decided that it’s time for me to retire and spend what time I have left with my family.” Davies raised a hand as the crowd threatened to erupt in objections and questions. “Now, I’m not done, y’all. I’m plannin’ to leave the Cougars in capable hands and thanks to the negotiations by our owner and our GM, I’m pleased to announce my replacement as none other than Bill Smith from L.A.”
Coach Smith stepped through the door on cue and took the seat beside Coach Davies. He grinned at the crowd and addressed them with his usual air of authority. “I have to admit that I was surprised to get the call from Coach Davies because I expected him to coach football until the end of time. Bill Davies taught me everything I know about coaching football and I am honored to succeed him in this position.”
Hands shot up in the audience but Coach Davies waved them off. “Now, now, in case you haven’t noticed, there are two empty chairs at the end of this table and I am to fill them before I leave so if y’all will give me just a few more moments of your time I’d be much obliged.” The hands all went down.