AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So you assaulted the ex-boyfriend of your best friend’s little sister because…?”
“Like I said, he was harassing Carlee.”
Mr. Wilson shakes his head. “Look, Corey, I respect a man who defends a young lady from a disgruntled former beau.” His word choice makes him sound like the age that years of Botox and fake tanning try to hide. “But assaulting a man is against the league’s code of conduct.”
“Only if he’s charged with a crime,” Gary says, bursting into the room like a character from a movie coming to save the day. He walks around the conference table and stops at my side. “Which, if I’m not mistaken, he isn’t.”
Charles waits for my agent to pull up a chair before he replies, “That’s true, Ramirez. Unfortunately, the press is already reporting the incident.”
“Those reports are filled with conjecture,” Gary counters. “I must say, I’m surprised how you’re handling this, Mr. Wilson. As a respectable man of business, I felt certain you wouldn’t let something like sordid rumors and assumptions damage all the clout my client’s performance has brought to your team this season.”
Thatis why Gary is my agent.
It doesn’t matter that he’s speaking with the multi-millionaire owner of a major league baseball team. It wouldn’t even matter if Wilson was speaking to the president of the league. Gary Ramirez is as respectful as the next guy, but he hashis clients’ backs. He’s not afraid of ruffling feathers to ensure they’re taken care of.
“I appreciate your candor, Gary,” the owner replies brusquely. “But the fact of the matter is, we traded for your client when his reputation was in shambles. My team has worked tirelessly to repair that reputation, and it’s disappointing to know that this one act will ruin all that progress.”
“It will only ruin it if you let it,” Gary counters. “And we both know you didn’t trade for Corey out of the goodness of your heart, Mr. Wilson. Your team needed the advantage he provides, and he’s been delivering all season.”
“His skills on the field won’t matter if the fans hate him.”
“I disagree,” Gary says. “But I respect the esteem with which you hold your fans’ opinion.”
“Well, their opinion does sway whether or not they pay to see my team play,” he clips back, unable to hide his irritation.
My agent dips his chin and adopts a conciliatory tone. “How about this? Corey has a personal PR agent to help with matters like this. You have a team dedicated to his image, as well. Let Avery Moreno deal with the press. Your employees can keep working on Corey’s public image at the same time. In a week, I bet you won’t be able to find any news outlet reporting this story.”
Charles Wilson presses his lips together as he mulls over my agent’s suggestion.
Patti, Carlee’s boss, raises her hand.
Charles notices. “Do you have something to say, Patti?”
“I do.” She lowers her hand and takes a breath. “Mr. Ramirez is right. We have a team focused on hyping up Corey’s performance and his public image. Fan feedback these past few months has improved drastically. Fans report that they like Corey’s gruff exterior. They like that he’s a serious player.”
“Because he’s talented,” Gary adds.
I lean back, content to let Gary continue to argue in my favor. I was an idiot for telling him not to come here today. I’ll send his wife flowers as an apology. Hell, I might even give the guy a raise.
“That’s all well and good, but the league doesn’t give a damn about what our fans think,” Charles declares. “If Corey is charged with a crime, we lose our star pitcher. That’s the problem here.”
“Carlee has spoken with the man Corey hit,” Patti reveals, looking at my girlfriend. “Isn’t that right, Carlee?”
For the first time, I allow my gaze to land on the beautiful blonde I’ve, no doubt, mortified with my violent, impulsive action.
Her face is pale, and I sense the unease rolling off her tense shoulders, but she keeps her head high when she answers, “It is.”
“And is the young man planning on pressing charges.”
“I don’t think so?”
“You don’tthink?” CJ, the owner’s son, presses.
Carlee maintains her composure. “Victor is embarrassed. It’ll take time for him to cool off, but once he does, he’ll realize he doesn’t want to be known as the man who got punched by Corey Johnson. He won’t want to press charges and risk the whole world viewing him as weak.”
I’m relieved to hear it. So is everyone around the table. I would deal with an assault charge if it came my way. I would own up to my actions. But I’m glad I don’t have to. Not because I care about the Lonestars, but because I care about putting any more of the spotlight on Carlee.
“That’s nice, but until we are sure there won’t be any legal fallout from Corey’s actions, I’d like to hear what our public relations group plans to do in the meantime to cushion his image against any bad press.”
