Chapter Twenty-Seven
The whole drive down to the Glacier Dome, I feel awful. I didn’t really forget about this interview that I’m heading to. I just didn’t want to tell Madison it’s with Meredith Fasselli from Phoenix Sports Now.
My first interview with her, from before the regular season started, and the accompanying article apparently did very well and was quite popular in both their fall print and online magazine formats.
Meredith now wants to do a second midseason interview for their winter edition.
I thought about saying no, but my agent pressed me to do it.
I relented, seeing as it is good exposure and benefits both me and the team.
Plus, it’s not like anything ever happened between me and Meredith.
So why do I feel so guilty?
Why does it seem like I’m sneaking around?
Fuck, I should’ve just told Madison about the interview sooner and who it’s going to be with.
I don’t know why I didn’t.
I guess I just didn’t want to deal with her acting all jealous or whatever. I told her about Meredith giving me her number all those months ago, and she bristled at that back then.
“Telling her that was stupid,” I murmur to myself as I pull into the players’ lot and park.
But honesty is our policy.
Once I’m out of the car, I decide I’ll tell Madison everything the second I get home. I’ll share with her not only who the interview was with, but also that I feared her reaction to that knowledge.
Yeah, I’m just going to be honest and blunt, like how we agreed we’d be.
We have such a good relationship.
I don’t want to mess it up.
I make my way into the facility and to the conference room where the interview is to be held.
When I step inside, I see Meredith is already here, seated in a chair about halfway down a long table.
She stands when she sees me, and—Jesus, really?—it’s clear she has on what has to be the tightest siren-red micro-dress I think I’ve ever seen. She’s also wearing shiny, high black boots.
This is clearly not appropriate interview attire. I mean, here I am in faded jeans, a long-sleeved blue tech top, and athletic shoes.
Not to sound full of myself, but she obviously chose this outfit for me.
Too bad for her, I have no interest whatsoever.
Man, I must really love Madison. The old me would’ve probably bent this woman over the table, hiked that dress up, and fucked her senseless.
“Hey, Lennox,” Meredith says flirtatiously, holding out her hand and breaking me from my reverie as I walk over to greet her. “It’s good to see you again.”
We shake, and I make sure it’s the same way I’d shake a man’s hand. I don’t want to lead her on. I want this to be professional, as it should be.
Pulling my hand away quickly, I head over to the other side of the table and sit down across from her.
“Nice to see you again too,” I finally reply.
“How have things been?” she asks.
“Great,” I say curtly.
Enough with the small talk. It’s time to get down to business.
Let’s get this shit over and done with.
To move things along, I tell Meredith that I’m on a tight schedule this morning, though I’m totally not. I just want to make this as fast as possible.
“Of course,” she says as she straightens the papers in front of her, looking a little disappointed.
Too bad, Meredith.
This is not going to go your way.
Thankfully, everything turns professional at this point. Meredith asks me questions about the team, the season so far, and my own accomplishments.
After rustling through her notes, she says, “I see you’ve racked up quite a few goals and assists. I have here that you’re on track to beat your totals from last year.”
“That’s true,” I confirm proudly with a nod. “I just need to stay focused.”
“I’m sure you will,” she replies with a warm smile. “You seem like a guy who knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, I guess you could say that about me.”
Taking a deep breath, she asks, “Do you mind if we pivot a bit here?”
Cautious, I ask, “Pivot in what way exactly?”
“Well…” She sighs. “I’d like to ask you a question or two about your personal life. Nothing too in-depth, don’t worry. It’s just that it’s out there already that you’re in a relationship.” She picks up her pen. “Is that right?”
So much for my input. She’s already asking the question. It looks like we’re pivoting whether I want to or not.
But sure, I’ll answer a question or two about my personal life. If for no other reason than to let this chick know that I’m not available.
I am not the same Lennox I once was.
Blowing out a breath, I lean back and reply, “Yes, I’m in a relationship now.”
She raises a dark brow. “And it’s serious?”
“Very.”
“Hmmm. Her name is Madison, correct?”
I shift in my chair. “Yes,” I say tightly, “her name is Madison.”
After a long pause, Meredith puts her pen down and catches and holds my gaze. “Are you in love with her, Lennox?”
“Okay.” I hold up my hand. “That’s enough.”
She sighs. “Hey, don’t get upset. I had to ask.”
I scoff, “Really?”
Softly, after a long pause, she says, “Why’d you never call me, Lennox?”
Okay, this needs to stop now.
“I met someone,” I state firmly.
“Ah, yes, the lovely Madison.”
“Meredith—”
I don’t have the chance to finish my sentence and tell her this interview is over, because she’s out of her seat and coming over to my side of the table so quickly it’s like she’s a blur.
What the fuck is going on?
I stand, too, so fast that my chair almost topples over.
When Meredith reaches me, I blurt out, “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Just this,” she says softly as she reaches up and touches just below my black eye. “I noticed your injury as soon as you walked in. Does it hurt?”
What the fuck?
I don’t want her touching me.
Just as my hand covers hers to move her damn mitt off my face, the conference room door swings open.