Chapter 34
BECCA
The office buzzed around me as I sipped my coffee.
The main problem with switching teams mid-season meant I was starting from scratch.
After spending the last three years covering the Hawks, I had to get used to new players, new coaches, new personalities, and locker room politics.
I clicked on the last game New England played and jotted down some notes when I heard someone at the front desk say my name.
I glanced up from my laptop, and walking straight through the office was the very last person I wanted to see.
Brian Sullivan.
Judging by the look on his face, he was furious. He didn’t stop at the receptionist’s desk. He just kept on walking until he reached my cubicle.
Our receptionist, Sarah, appeared behind him, looking uncomfortable. “I tried to stop him.”
“It’s okay.” I closed my laptop and stood. “Can I help you?” I asked, setting my pen down on my desk.
He laughed. “Ms. Hendrix, I don’t believe we’ve officially met. I’m the guy whose life you blew up by printing a bunch of lies.”
Okay, I guess we were going there. I glanced around the office, which had gone quiet. People were pretending to work, but I could feel their attention lingering.
I straightened my spine. “All I did was report the truth.”
“No,” he stepped closer, “you wrote a hit piece. Those women were lying. You think just because they said these things happened that makes them true? It’s their word against mine.”
I glanced over to the two interns standing near the coffee machine, trying hard not to stare, but Brian’s voice was loud enough for them to hear every word. I could only imagine what they were thinking. One of the biggest sports agents was standing in the middle of our office, tearing into me.
I met his gaze head-on. “Three very successful journalists came forward to talk about their experiences with you. They did this knowing what it could cost them. It took a lot of courage for them to speak up.”
I could feel the anger radiating off him as he spread his hands out. “So, let me get this straight. A few women came forward claiming I made them uncomfortable, and suddenly it’s a big story. If that were true, why didn’t they come forward sooner? Why wait until now?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Sarah hovering nearby. She looked like she was debating whether to step in or throw her water bottle at Brian’s head.
“Because they didn’t want to make any waves,” I spat, wishing this wasn’t happening in front of my coworkers.
“They didn’t want to be labeled as difficult to work with, because speaking up doesn’t always come without consequences.
You are in a position of power. You have connections and influence.
They weren’t looking to put targets on their backs.
And the fact that you are attacking them proves their point. ”
“Pretty convenient timing, if you ask me.” He crossed his arms. “You know what I think? I think you were trying to take the attention off Nate. Right before things were about to get messy for him, now there’s suddenly a story about me instead.”
He was smug. Even now, he was trying to twist things around and act like he was the one being wronged, and accusing these women of making up stories and trying to shift the blame onto Nate for his actions.
“There were already stories about you, Brian. Way before you decided to go after Nate. These accusations didn’t appear out of nowhere. People have been talking about your behavior long before this.”
He leaned against the wall of my cubicle. “Nate isn’t innocent in all this. He lied to his team, his fans, to everyone.”
“And he took ownership of that mistake.”
God, he was so irritating. How Nate put up with this entitled ass for so long is beyond me.
“Do you have any idea what this article is going to cost me? My family, my reputation. Hell, you somehow convinced my own sister to turn against me.”
“Maybe you should have considered all this before you put yourself in this position,” I said. It was obvious that he didn’t like being challenged by a woman. Too bad.
Daphene rounded the corner and came up beside me. “Sir, you can’t just barge in here like this.”
His head swung toward hers. “The hell I can’t?” He looked her up and down in a way that irritated me. “And who the hell are you?”
Daphene stood tall. “I’m the one who approved the article. Becca works for me.”
He scoffed. “I can’t believe you’re actually standing here defending her after that garbage that she published about me.”
Her eyebrows lifted in that no-nonsense way that I’ve seen many times right before she laid into somebody.
“I’ll defend any reporter in this building.
I will not tolerate anyone coming into this office and trying to intimidate my employees.
So, if you have any concerns, you can contact our legal department. ”
He laughed. “Oh, you can plan on it. You will be hearing from my attorneys.”
He was throwing his weight around and expecting to get his way. Good luck with that, buddy.
Daphene clasped her hands loosely in front of her. There was a smile on her face, but it held no warmth. “You know, I’ve been in this business for over twenty years.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Congratulations.”
She tilted her head to the side. “I’ve learned a lot over those years, and I can tell when someone is trying to bully their way back into control. When they can’t accept that they are out of cards to play, and they refuse to accept the outcome.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m simply defending myself from a story you allowed one of your journalists to publish based on hearsay, so I would be very careful with your next words.”
“We report facts here. If that intimidates you, that’s not my problem.
” She stepped forward. “You need to leave. You can do it willingly, or we can make this bad situation even more uncomfortable. Your choice.” Daphene reached around me and picked up the phone.
“Yes, security, I need someone to come upstairs.”
He pointed at me. “You have no idea who you are dealing with.”
“Threaten her one more time and see what happens.”
I turned toward the familiar voice. Nate stood a few feet away. His voice was controlled, but it was deep enough to make it known he wasn’t messing around. His broad shoulders and long legs pushed their way around the open cubicles.
My shoulders sagged with relief.
Nate looked at me first. The hard set of his jaw and the thin line of his lips told me all I needed to know. He was pissed. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “I’m fine.”
Brian laughed. “You have perfect timing, friend. We were just talking about you.”
“I’m not your friend.” Nate shoved his hands in his pockets. “So, why don’t you take a step away from her before things get uglier?”
He sighed heavily. “Please. You’re the one who had her smear my name; now you want to come to her defense and play hero?”
“Shifting the blame onto someone else, as always.” Nate shook his head. “For years, I defended you. When a few people tried to warn me, I ignored them. I made excuses for you. Told them they were wrong.”
Brian rolled his eyes. “I made a lot of careers, Nate.”
“You did. You also screwed a lot of people over.”
Brian folded his arms. “You never would have gotten as far as you did without me.”
The balls on him to try to take credit for Nate’s success was comical.
“You might have been the one who negotiated my contracts and secured my endorsement deals, but I’m the one who earned them.
I’m sick and tired of you trying to take the credit for all that I’ve achieved.
The last time I checked, I was the one on the field throwing the ball, not you.
You act like I wouldn’t be here without you, but the truth is, you got rich because of my career, not the other way around.
So, don’t confuse being a part of my success with being responsible for it. ”
Brian laughed, but Nate kept going. I’d never seen him quite like this. Not even during tense press conferences or when he lost his cool on the field. You could tell how much effort he was putting into keeping his emotions contained.
His shoulders were ridged as he stepped closer. “You spent years acting like you were invincible. Did you honestly believe that the shit you pulled with me, other players, and all the women wouldn’t catch up to you?”
Brian’s face twisted, like he was trying to gain whatever sense of control he could, but Nate was no longer interested in giving it to him. “People lie all the time. You should know that better than anybody.”
I couldn’t believe he was still standing here trying to flip the story, playing the part of the injured victim when he was the one who caused this conflict.
Nate swallowed thickly. “I sure do. Just like I know there are consequences. The difference between you and me is that I never forget the people who helped me. You are the one who forgets who made you successful in the first place.”
“Listen…” Brian pushed away from my cubicle.
Nate stepped forward, grabbing Brian by the shirt. “No. You are going to listen for once. You did the job I paid you to do. This constant reminder that you think I owe you something stops today.”
I glanced briefly at Sarah and Daphene, who were both smirking.
“You are making a big mistake.” Brian gritted his teeth, his face turning red with anger.
Nate tightened his hold and lowered his voice.
“The only mistake I made was trusting you. I didn’t realize how greedy you’d become.
The saddest part is, I don’t think you even realize how far you’ve fallen.
Somewhere along the way, money and power became more important to you.
And you know the sad part? You had everything.
You had clients who trusted you. Friends who defended you and a family who adored you.
You failed everybody, Brian, including yourself. ”
Brian’s expression hardened, finally catching on to the power shift in their dynamic. Everyone in the office could feel it. He was obviously more rattled than he was letting on. “Do you honestly believe this ends well for both of you?”
Nate kept his eyes on Brian. “I know it does. Too bad I can’t say the same for you.”
A couple of heads turned as security came rushing through the room.
Nate shoved him back. For the first time since this whole confrontation began, Brian looked genuinely shaken.
“Sir, we are going to need you to come with us.” Darryl, head of security, gestured toward the exit.
“You are going to regret this,” Brian snapped and adjusted his coat. “This isn’t over.” He took one last look between us and hesitated long enough to make a point before spinning on his heels and storming out.
The tension in my shoulders dropped slightly. Nate stayed where he was until Brian disappeared through the front door. Once he was out of view, he reached for me without hesitation. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.”
He studied me for a minute, looking like he didn’t believe that, but thankfully didn’t push it.
Behind us, I heard Daphene say, “Well, that was fun.” She patted Nate on the arm and started walking away. “But let’s try not to make this a weekly event. They don’t pay me enough for all this drama.”
A few people laughed, and I felt something loosen in my chest.
Nate exhaled through his nose. “I’m sorry he showed up and caused a scene.”
I wrapped my arms around him. “It’s not your fault.” I peered up at him. “How did you know he was here?”
He kissed the top of my head. “His wife, Nadine, called. She was upset and told me he was coming for you.”
I pressed my cheek to his chest. “I’m sorry. I know he was more than just your agent.”
What happened here wasn’t just about business. Nate lost someone he once trusted. Someone he believed was in his corner. Brian was a part of his life for so long; this had to hurt.
“I thought he was, but I was wrong,” he said quietly.
There was no anger left in his voice; he seemed over it.
“And I’m done looking backward. I want to focus on moving forward with you.
” He brushed his thumb along my bottom lip and kissed me right in the middle of my office.
And for the first time all day, I felt myself relax, because that sounded pretty damn good to me.