Power Play (D.C. Stars #2)

6. Piper

SIX

PIPER

We lost in Austin by a point, and, after hearing my colleagues talk about me so lewdly, I couldn’t bring myself to care.

The game came down to the final seconds. Maverick had a chance to tie it up, but his shot ricocheted off the left side of our opponents’ goal as time expired.

I didn’t arrange for any interviews after the loss. The guys prefer to decompress in the locker room following a defeat, not in front of the cameras where they’re forced to say things they don’t mean like we gave it our all and we’ll do better next time to appease the media.

They’re pissed as hell.

The plane ride back to DC last night was quieter than the trip over. Maverick hung his head the entire flight. Liam refused to look at anyone, and Grant, who’s never in a bad mood, sat in his seat with his arms crossed over his chest.

Not a single dick joke was made.

I even avoided gossiping with my friends, popping on my headphones and pretending to sleep so I wouldn’t have to explain why I didn’t acknowledge my bosses when they walked on the plane and tried to joke with me.

Biting my tongue instead of lashing out was a Herculean task, and I have no idea what I’m going to do going forward.

Quit?

Uproot my entire life and apply to a different team far away from DC?

Suck it up and pretend like I didn’t hear what they said about me?

I can’t bring myself to turn the other way, though.

It’s uncomfortable to face the problem head-on, a confrontation I don’t want to tackle and breathe life into, but if it happened to me, it’s going to happen to the next woman.

And the woman after that.

A cycle that’ll continue until someone brings those assholes down, and I refuse to be complicit while they waltz around with a badge of honor when they’re no better than the scum of the earth.

Fuck if I ruin my reputation because of it.

To top it all off, Helen, the head of HR, asked to see me at the end of the day, and my mind automatically went to worst-case scenarios.

I’m probably going to be reprimanded for no-showing at the pre-game meeting. Scolded for missing out on a work commitment, something I’ve never done in my career, but I draw the line of fake smiles at sexual harassment.

“Hey.” Maven lowers her camera and glances at me as the team wraps up practice. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I snap my notebook closed and shove it in my bag. “Only having a mild panic attack about why the woman in charge of firing people wants me to visit her office.”

“There’s no way you’re in trouble.”

She wouldn’t be so confident if she’d overheard the conversation between Charlie and Doug yesterday, which is exactly why I didn’t tell her—or anyone else for that matter.

Those two have power, and I know I’m a piece in their game. They don’t care if they take me down along the way.

“Never say never. Maybe one of the players complained about me.”

“Please. The guys adore you. You’re the only one half of them talk to.”

“Wish I could get them all to talk to me.” I gesture to Liam in the goal. He takes off his helmet and shakes out his hair, scowling at Ethan who tries to knock his skate with his stick. “That one over there still won’t come close to a microphone. I swear to god he’s allergic.”

“Don’t let one sour grape ruin the whole bunch.”

“It would be nice if he were a little less sour. Like, neutral is all I’m asking.” I stand from the bench where we’ve been spectating and sling my bag over my shoulder. “Are you heading out?”

“I was planning on it, but I can wait for you.”

“I’ll be fine. Probably easier this way. If I have to turn in my credentials, you won’t see me escorted out by security.”

Maven rolls her eyes. “You are not turning in your credentials.”

“We’ll see.”

With a wave and a few deep breaths, I make it to the hallway where the administrative offices are located. I wipe my sweaty palms on my shirt then knock on Helen’s door, waiting for her to answer.

“Come in,” she calls out, and I swallow down a final gulp of air.

“Hi.” I shut the door behind me, locking myself in the room with the woman who controls my future. “You wanted to see me?”

She gestures to the empty chair in front of her desk. I move toward it and notice Bradley, our rinkside reporter, in the other one. “Take a seat.”

“Thank you.”

I sit on the edge of the leather and bounce my thigh up and down. Nerves rack my body. It’s nearly suffocating in here, the air thick and the tension high. I brace myself for what’s coming, knowing there’s no way this conversation ends well for me.

“This morning, I was informed of comments that were made about you by your colleagues over the weekend. I’m appalled by what I heard,” Helen starts.

Oh my god . I whip my head to the left, my chest tight as I stare at the man beside me.

Did Bradley turn them in?

Charlie and Doug wouldn’t have turned on each other, and Bradley is the only other person on our broadcasting team. A quiet guy, he tends to shy away from confrontation. He shows up, does his job, and goes on his way.

We’re friendly, but we’re not friends . Definitely not close enough for him to feel like he has to protect me from the men he reports to, and I’m shocked he might be the one who took this situation to the people who could fix it.

I slump in my chair and turn my attention back to Helen. “I-I wish I could say it’s the first time this has happened, but it’s not. I, um, met with someone in HR recently to discuss a comment Charlie made to me during our weekly meeting; however, I didn’t report what I overheard in Austin. I was planning on doing it today, but it’s been chaotic with preparing for tomorrow’s game. I’m sorry for waiting so long to come forward,” I say, hanging my head.

Helen puts up her hand, stopping me. “You’re not going to apologize to me, Piper. I’m the one who is going to apologize to you.” I suck in a breath, letting myself sit a little taller as she continues. “What was said is inexcusable and has no place in our organization. I’m embarrassed by their behavior, and I’m sick to my stomach knowing it’s persisted for years. Charlie and Doug have been fired effective immediately. Additionally, a team-wide memo went out about sexual harassment in the workplace, along with mandatory e-learning modules.”

I falter at that.

Beneath all the bullshit Charlie said, there was truth to his words.

He’s been with the team for two decades. Considered a god in every arena we visit, he was recently inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. I doubt anyone’s given a shit about how thick his HR file might be.

Until now, I guess.

“What does that mean for the broadcasting team?” I ask.

With Charlie and Doug gone, we’re operating with bare bones. Down two people with a game in twenty-four hours and no one to replace them.

“Bradley is being promoted to head play-by-play announcer. He told me he’s willing to handle it solo,” Helen says. “I have the co-announcer position posted on the league’s internal hiring board, and with how well the team performed last season, I expect applications from several interested parties.”

“I announced for my college team,” Bradley explains. “I might be a little rusty, but I can handle it.”

“Piper, you’ll be our lead rinkside reporter for the rest of the season,” Helen tells me. “I’ve seen the work you put in. The dedication and time you spend on being knowledgeable about the players’ strengths and weaknesses. You know them like you know the back of your hand, and it should’ve been your role from the moment we hired you.”

“What?” I whisper.

“If you want the position, it’s yours. You’ll start on camera next week.”

Shock rolls through me. I don’t know if I want to laugh or cry. If I want to pinch myself to make sure this isn’t a dream but real life . The room might be spinning, but it doesn’t matter.

Lead reporter .

The only job I’ve ever wanted since I landed in DC, bright-eyed and ambitious with big dreams.

I’ve put in years of work with unpaid gigs and small paychecks. Road trips across the country with teams who had losing records and interviewing players who didn’t know my name. Having sweaty jerseys thrown at me and telling people—repeatedly—I’m a reporter, not a fan, when I hang out in the tunnel during intermission.

Spots like this are coveted in the league. Positions people inherit and don’t retire from until late into their career. Some of my role models have fifty years of experience in the industry. It’s rare to get promoted out of the gate, but I know I can do it.

I know I’m good in front of the camera. I stay cool under pressure and pivot when a wrench gets thrown in my plans. I spend hours researching, wanting to make sure what I’m asking is unique. Inquisitive, but not prying. A conversation, not a lecture.

I know there are going to be people out there who think I’m underqualified, and hell I can’t wait to prove them wrong.

“Thank you so much,” I finally say, finding my words and suppressing my emotions—the things that make me sensitive and weak . “It’s an honor to represent the Stars organization, and I promise I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t. You’ll have a formal offer letter in your inbox tomorrow morning. Home and away games are included in the contract, with an extension possible after the playoffs.” Helen folds her hands across her desk, her fingers drumming on the wood. “What questions do you have for me?”

“I’m still catching up.” My laugh is disbelieving as I try to process the last five minutes. “I’m sure I’ll think of something.”

“You know where I’ll be if that changes. My door is always open,” Helen says, and I spring to my feet.

When I’m safely in the hallway, a squeal escapes me. Before I can sink into the celebration of my first win in what feels like years , a hand rests on my shoulder. The touch is hesitant. I glance behind me and see Bradley frowning.

“You knew what they said.” His jaw tenses. He pulls back his palm and shuffles backward. “You weren’t surprised when Helen mentioned it.”

“No. I wasn’t.” I give him a sad smile. “I was outside the door, and, after overhearing Doug and Charlie, I couldn’t bring myself to go in there and face them. Maybe it was cowardly to run from it, but I?—”

“It wasn’t cowardly,” Bradley says sharply, malice dripping from his tone. “I’m the coward. I tried to get them to stop, but I wasn’t firm enough for them to listen. He was right to tell me to go to HR, and I’m glad I did.”

“What? Who told you to go to HR?”

“Doesn’t matter. What matters is I owe you an apology too. I’m sorry for what was said in Texas. About what happened more times than I’d care to admit. I should’ve spoken up sooner, and I’m just as guilty as they are.”

Over a decade in the world of sports, and I’ve never had a man apologize for his behavior. It’s always she’s too sensitive and never I fucked up . It was a joke versus what I said was wrong .

Hearing Bradley own up to transgressions he wasn’t directly responsible for gives me the tiniest glimmer of hope for the future of women in the league and beyond.

“Thank you, Bradley. You did the right thing, and it means so much to me you put your ass on the line.”

“I’m really happy for you, Piper. You deserve the reporter spot. I’m much more comfortable on the mic calling the plays, not trying to wrangle players for interviews.”

“I’ll probably embarrass myself on television, but we’ll see how it goes. I need to get going. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I step around the corner for some privacy, fingers trembling as I type out a message in our group chat.

GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN(DAMENTAL RIGHTS) AND GOOD SEX

Me

Guess who is the new rinkside reporter for the Stars?

Lexi

What the FUCK?

Maven

Are you serious??

Emmy

Oh my god, Piper. That’s incredible.

Maven

How did that happen??? Details??

Me

It’s been a wild few days. I have so much to catch you all up on. Doug and Charlie got fired. I got promoted. Bradley is a hero. This doesn’t sound like real life.

Lexi

I’m crying for you.

Maven

It’s so well deserved. A long time coming.

Emmy

Fuck Doug and Charlie.

Lexi

Seriously. Fuck them!

Maven

Let’s celebrate!!!!

Emmy

Not tonight. I’m in LA for a game and am selfish enough to want to be included. You’re not allowed to hang out without me.

Me

Wouldn’t dream of it, Em. This weekend sounds perfect.

Lexi

Go buy a bottle of champagne or something, Piper!

Emmy

I just Venmoed you some money so you can splurge on something good.

Maven

Me too! Well, Dallas just Venmoed you some money. What good is marrying a professional athlete if you don’t use his millions every now and then?

Me

I love you all so much 3.

I tuck my phone in my pocket, and pride nearly bursts out of me.

God , I hope my luck is changing.

I’ve had nothing to look forward to lately. No good news in a stagnant life of being fine , and it’s nice to turn over a new leaf. It’s nice to have a fresh start and a chance to make a name for myself.

I deserve this.

I’ve been waiting for this, working for this, dragging myself through the trenches for this, and I’m going to give it my all. I’m going to prove every last asshole who ever doubted me wrong.