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“Sean, does it really matter?”
“Yes, it matters!” My last nerve waves at me as it flees like a rock in a slingshot. “I need to know you’re safe.” I rub my face. “This has gotten way out of hand.”
“Do you think us working together on something will even help?” she asks softly, sounding defeated.
I lift my eyes to meet hers, not wanting to, given how horrible I feel. “I don’t know. It would be a reason why we were together, and the more people see us working together professionally, the more they’ll see we’re just…friends.”
“We aren’t friends.” She throws out quickly. “Don’t you think us doing anything together could make this worse?”
“Possibly.”
She looks down at her shoes. “Let’s just go hear the rest of what they’re suggesting, and then maybe we can talk about it before we decide.”
I nod. “Ok.” She moves to open the door, but I stop her. “Wait. Give me your number.” She crosses her arms again. “Then we can figure out what we want to do. I don’t want to talk in front of them. They have their own agendas, and I want to be sure you and I are on the same page.”
She contemplates it for a second. “Fine.” She pulls out her phone, and we exchange numbers.
“Andie,” I say, waiting for her to look at me. “I am sorry…about all of this.”
She nods, opening the door, and we step back into Nora and Craig, sparring while Miranda taps away on her phone. They stop when they notice us, and we take our seats.
“So, what do you have in mind?” I ask, willing my body to relax enough to listen.
Miranda sets her phone down. “You two combine efforts to give the kids at the hospital a day out at the stadium or something similar and a concert. Andie, we had rave reviewsfrom your night here at the stadium. The video of you singing theNational Anthemis one of our top-viewed posts, and the families loved you, so I know it will be a hit. I’ve spoken with Ed, and he’s more than on board. He loves the idea and is excited to hear what you come up with.”
I look at Andie, but her focus is on Miranda.
“Can we have a day or two to think about it?” I ask.
“The sooner you guys get to work, and we can announce it, the better. It gives the world a reason to question Morgan’s…claims.” Craig says, and I’m surprised he’s toned down his aggressiveness.
“I understand,” I say, needing him to back off and willing Andie to look at me, but she doesn’t.
“Ok. Well, let us know soon. We’ll do whatever we can to help.” Miranda starts gathering her stuff. “Sean, I know you have a game to get ready for, and Andie, I’m sure you have life to get back to. So unless there’s anything else, I’ll wait to hear from you. Please be quick. We need to start blasting all outlets, make arrangements, add it to the schedule, draft press releases, and get your names back in good standing.”
I want to curse but hold it in. I’m sick of everyone acting like we did something wrong. Miranda stands, and the rest of us follow.
Nora glares at Craig as she passes. “You really should rethink the suit. It makes you look extra prickish.”
Andie groans but also kind of smiles.
I stop Andie in the doorway. “Think about it. I’ll text you later.”
She nods and then moves to catch up with Nora. I run a hand over my head, realizing this quiet Andie makes me nervous. I’ve only been around her twice, but both times, she came out swinging. Seeing her turned down or muted makes me think this really rattled her. I hate it.
I know how this affects me, but I don’t know how it’s screwing up her life. The thought of people following her or showing up at her house rouses a wave of anger I haven’t felt in a long time, and it feels dangerous. I wonder if Morgan has any idea what she’s done.
“You need to do this,” Craig says, breaking through my thoughts. “I realize this may die down in a week or two, but it’s too long. People are already forming opinions, and we have to change their minds.”
“I need to give her a minute to decide what she wants to do. She deserves that.”
“Yeah, well, your other option is to play this up. Date her. Make the world fall in love with the two of you and shove Morgan into the background.”
“Craig, have you not heard a single word that’s come out of my mouth these past months? I’m not pretending to date Andie or anything else.”
“Then you make sure she does this event. This is your future, and looking out for you is my job. With your injuries and now this…this organization is going to be taking a serious look at what you’re bringing to the table. From their end, it’s not looking good. Tell her she’s doing it.” He slaps my shoulder and walks away. “Good luck today, Sean.” He says over his shoulder, but it feels like a smack in the face.
I run a hand over my face and then head to the locker room. I have plenty of time, but I need to think…about a lot of things. One of which is maybe finding a new agent.
