AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Again, everyone’s attention lands on me. I bite the inside of my cheek and force myself not to fidget.
“Over ninety percent of survey respondents indicate they follow at least one of our social media profiles and that they find the content engaging and entertaining,” Patti adds. “Carlee even helps some players with their accounts. I think we should use her skills on Corey’s accounts in this off-season.”
My pulse whooshes in my ears.
I can’t believe Patti wantsmeto lead this task, or that she didn’t give me a head’s up before I walked in here. I feel like a deer in the headlights, seconds away from being run over by a semi-truck. I’m sure I look it, too.
“To what end?” Gary asks.
“Our goal will be to strategically cultivate his content to help convince our fanbase, as well as everyone who is watching this situation unfold, that Corey is adjusting positively to this change and that he’s happy to be on our team. We don’t want anyone to think his problems with the Loons have followed him to Dallas.”
“That’s a great idea,” Avery Moreno’s voice travels through the speakerphone. “But like I said, I already have a plan in place.”
“You can work with Carlee along the way,” Patti tells the successful public relations agent. “But I believe she should hold the reins on this one. No one knows how to use these social media platforms like she does. Not even other members of her generation who work for me can generate the engagement she does.”
“I don’t want to leave my client’s image in the hands of someone whose sole concern is the Lonestars.”
I want to tell Avery Moreno that my concern for Corey extends far beyond his role on the team, but I keep my mouth shut.
“It’s fine,” Corey speaks for the first time, shocking the room into silence.
Gary is the first to overcome his surprise. “What do you mean, Corey?”
Unable to fight the pull of his gaze, I look up and see Corey’s deep blue eyes locked on me. His expression still looks bored, but there’s a twinkle in his gaze that tells me he’s amused by this turn of events.
It takes everything I have not to scowl.
“It’s fine,” Corey repeats. “Let her manage my accounts. I don’t care.”
“Wonderful,” Charles claps his hands together and leans back in his chair with a pleased smile. “Now, moving on to— What are you doing?”
Corey stands from the chair. He’s still staring at me, but hearing the owner’s question, he looks away with obvious reluctance. “I thought we made a decision.”
“We did.”
Corey nods. “Then I have somewhere I need to be. If you think of any more questions, Gary and Avery will let me know.” Without waiting to hear the owner’s response, Corey steps away from the table and leaves the room.
I watch him go with both horror and amusement. While I can’t believe he walked out on Charles Wilson, I shouldn’t be surprised. Corey’s not intentionally insubordinate, but he doesn’t kowtow to anyone. No matter who they are.
“Well,” Charles says a few seconds later, “I think that’s enough for today. I’ll be in touch with all of you soon regarding next steps.” He tries to sound unaffected by Corey’s dismissal,but the tension pulling the corners of his eyes tells a different story.
Mr. Wilson and his son are the first out of the room, followed by the coaches. The rest of the staff trails out until it’s just me and Patti at the conference table.
I’m trying to figure out how to ask her why she didn’t warn me about her plans when she stands and asks, “What was all that about?” She gathers her papers into a neat stack.
I decide to feign ignorance. “What was what about?”
She looks at me with an arched brow. “The fact that Corey Johnson couldn’t stop looking at you for more than five seconds throughout the entire meeting. Do you know him?”
Shit.
I was hoping to keep the truth to myself.
Damn Corey for staring.
I sigh and use the same line the pitcher fed Joshua two nights ago, “Corey and I grew up together.”
“In Rose Hill?”
