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Chapter 18
The next week flew by in-between catching The Russian when I could between his training and work schedule; my last week at TheSports Daily; completing my remaining sponsorship commitments for my team, the Suns, including promoting the end of season last home match which The Russian had bought the VIP seats at; and some commitments for the new job – it was fast and furious. Saturday would also mark my last game reporting in the Saints’ media box before I started my new gig, and the Saints were playing the Chicago Cats – not an easy team to beat. This game was different though from any other that I had reported at because for this game, The Russian and I were in deep like, maybe luuvvveee –yes, I had to say it like that. I’m now one of those pathetic over-the-top people who are smiling all the time and putting smiley faces on messages. And yes, I’d tried out the name Carla Renwick out loud. Sounds so good!
I met up with my new fellow commentators—Suzie and Catherine—during the week as the station wanted to shoot some promos with the three of us ... that was fun. After the promos, we had lunch with our boss—my new boss—Karen, the Cable TV Head of Production. It was nice to relax with them as friends over lunch instead of glaring at them over a basketball as opposing team members. We reminisced about some of our more memorable games and then Karen went through the expectations for the season ahead. I was so excited to be on board that at home, I kept practicing around the house, trying to get my pace right and not talk too quickly; Josh must have wondered who I was talking to all the time! I spent time getting up to scratch with all the other teams’ players and coaches. Luckily, because I was still a signed player, I knew of most of them.
On Friday the Saints’ were holding one of their pre-match press conferences which Sasha had to organize and The Sports Daily sent me along to hear what the coach had to say. The Russian wasn’t on the roster for this conference – Lucas was always in attendance being Captain Fantastic, and this time he was joined by Buzz aka Damien Hall, the team’s practical joker as I had already experienced. Buzz looked like an ex-marine, hence the buzz cut which I assumed had contributed to his nickname.
I arrived right at the last minute, thanks to the traffic, and saw The Russian’s silver Merc in the parking lot. I didn’t have time to go to the offices and say hi as I raced into the media room, in the building next door. I wasn’t the last to arrive as one more journo came in after me, but the coach was just starting. I recorded him and jotted down a few things as well.
After it was over, Sasha indicated for me to wait a moment and then Captain Fantastic came past me.
“Hey Carla, how are you?” he said, stopping nearby and looking tall, handsome and glowing in his Saints’ dress pants and open shirt.
“Hi Lucas, I’m great thanks, how are you?” I smiled back at him like a woman in love ... with someone else. He had a look on his face that said he knew I was great.
“I’m very well, so is my Forward I believe?” he said, referring to The Russian.
“Really?” I asked, looking innocent.
“In fact, for a grumpy bastard, I’ve never seen him so happy. Even shouted me a coffee today,” Lucas said, a mischievous look on his face.
“Wow,” I said, eyes wide. “What on earth has come over him? Have you spoken to the team psychiatrist about him?”
Lucas shook his head and looked alarmed. “No one is brave enough to go into the dark spaces of The Russian’s mind. At least I know you won’t distract my player given your own sporting pedigree.”
“I’ll do my best, Captain,” I said, saluting him and he gave me a wry look as he made a sound of disbelief and wandered away. I stuffed my notepad and phone in my bag and Sasha joined me.
“Hey Sash,” I said, “all okay?”
“All is very good. I have a message from The Russian ... he said he’d text you but it takes so long with his ‘big, masculine hands’,” she did air quote marks and rolled her eyes.
I laughed hearing The Russian saying those words in my head.
“Sure, is it above board?” I said, now a little worried.
She nodded and, doing a Russian impersonation, crossed her arms across her chest and lowered her voice. “Tell Brooker to see me before she leaves, I’ve got something for her.” Sasha said, and fell out of character. “Got time?”
“Sure. I don’t need to be at The Sports Daily for another hour if I include my lunch break,” I said.
“Good, if you give me a minute to lock up, I’ll walk to the office with you.”
I helped her lock up and then we wandered over to the administration building, chatting about her designing business. As we walked through the office, Sasha introduced me again to her colleagues Kay and Alice.
“Of course we remember Carla from your last visit,” Kay said, smiling and giving me a small wave from her desk in the corner.
“And we’ve seen a fair bit of you since,” Alice teased, “kissing The Russian, feeding The Russian, dancing with The Russian ...”
I sighed. “Someone’s got to do it.”
“Kay would have,” Sasha dobbed her in and laughed. Sasha could be wicked.
Kay went bright red and shook her head at Sasha.
“Don’t you believe it Carla,” she turned to me. “I’m a happily married woman with two children ... I just like to ensure The Russian is looking after himself ... purely maternal.”
The Russian must have heard me from his office next door and appeared in the doorway.
“Haven’t you three got something to do?” he asked, looking from Sasha, to Kay to Alice. He reached for my hand and pulled me into his office. Eddie was sitting working on a spreadsheet.
