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I glanced over at her. She didn't seem to have broken eye contact with her phone, but she was obviously listening.
Right before I looked away, her eyes flicked up. She gave me a sarcastic smile. Obviously Dad didn't like it when she misbehaved either.
I gave a smile in return, but I didn't think she saw it. I turned back to see Bam rubbing a hand over the back of his neck.
"Look, I didn't mean for anything to happen. I should have dragged Chantel out, but she's headstrong. She woulda stayed there by herself. I couldn't let her do that. She's my kid sister. If anything happened to her?—"
"I understand the need to be protective." The side of Carson's mouth tightened and his gaze flicked toward Rubie. He blinked and frowned at Bam. "You couldn't even try some humility?"
He turned the computer around and pressed a button. The screen showed phone video of Bam, security guard's hand on his arm, bowing to the crowd.
"It's difficult to see any remorse for your actions." Carson raised his eyebrows, waiting to be contradicted.
"At least the video went viral," Rubie said. "Think of the publicity."
Carson snorted and turned the computer back around. "That's exactly what I am thinking of. This," he waved a hand at the computer, "is not what I want people to think of when they think of the Rapids. I want them to see role models, who play a good, clean game of football. We're there for our fans. We give back to charity."
"I do those things," Bam said. "Just last month, I?—"
"Last month," Carson echoed. "People don't remember last week. You know what they do remember? Times when players screwed up and got dragged away by the police."
"I wasn't dragged," Bam muttered.
"Close enough," Carson said. He rubbed his forehead with his fingertips. "You're lucky no one got you on camera shoving this guy. Just as lucky your sister wasn't arrested for punching him."
"She has a mean right hook." Rubie sounded impressed.
"Don't she though?" Bam said with a grin.
It faded when Carson frowned at him.
"I mean, I have no idea where she learned to hit like that," Bam added quickly.
"I'm sure you don't." Carson shook his head. "That doesn't matter. What does matter is what we do about this. And what we do about you."
"I'm leaning toward forgiveness," Bam said. He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his burly chest. He looked smug, like he'd delivered an epic mic drop.
"I'm leaning toward restoring your reputation, and that of the team," Carson said. He waved toward me. "That's why Grace is here."
Bam looked at me like he hadn't noticed I was there until now. He didn't look happy to see me.
"I don't need therapy, if that's what this is about." He narrowed his eyes at me.
I wasn't sure if that was accurate, but it seemed rude to point it out. Instead, I said cool and calm, "I'm a publicist."
Bam groaned. "Come on now, I don't need one of those either. I messed up one time." He held up a thick finger. "I know to stay out of bad places. I'll keep me and my sister out of trouble. I swear. I'll be a boy scout from now on." He nodded as though that was that and placed his hands on the seat to either side of him to stand.
"Sit down," Carson growled.
Bam flopped back down and crossed his arms again.
"Grace and you will work closely together," Carson said firmly. "By the time you're done, I expect you to look like the poster boy for the Rapids. A role model for little boys, and girls, everywhere."
I bit a small spot on the inside of my lip. I was good at what I did, but Carson made me sound like a miracle worker. Between Bam's reputation and his attitude, I'd have my work cut out for me.
Bam grimace. "I don't know. Hawk is more the hero type. Chase too maybe. Ollie even. Hell, Stringer too. I'm the goofy one."
"You'll learn," Carson said coolly. He glanced toward his daughter. "The next time you go viral, I want it to be for the right reasons. I have a feeling we might make the Down Under Bowl this year. I'm sure you'd hate to miss it."
