Page 19 of The Game We Played

“Not likely,” Gage says.

I lift a hand in a half-wave and turn, breaking into a jog. My phone buzzes again. I want to ignore it, but I can’t. I can’t allow Sam to dump me as a client. Considering my checkered past, no other agent will touch me. Without an agent, my career is dead in the sand.

“Hey,” I greet as if all is well in the world.

“I contacted our PR agency to handle the shit storm blowing your way.”

“Shit storm? A bit of an exaggeration.”

He growls. “I’m connecting you now. You better listen to what they have to say or we’re done.”

I grit my teeth. “Fine.”

“Connecting you now.”

“This is Belinda. Is this Tanner Long?” a woman asks, all brisk and professional.

“Yep.”

“Mr. Long—”

“Tanner.”

“Mr. Long.” Did I say brisk and professional? I meant uptight. “We’ve been made aware of your situation. We’ve come up with a plan of action to handle it.”

“A plan of action?”

“Obviously, you need to clean up your act.” She continues speaking as if I hadn’t asked a question. “Since Sam doesn’t trust you to do this on your own, we have a plan. I’ve scheduled hospital visits and charity galas. Personally, I don’t think this is enough.”

“Not enough?” Training camp is starting soon. It’s not as if I have oodles of time.

“Exactly. My idea – which Sam agreed with – is for you to enter into a relationship with a woman with a squeaky clean background. I’ve put together a list of acceptable women and emailed it to you along with the dates of your other obligations. Do you have any questions?”

“Um…”

“Good. Follow the plan and all will be well, Mr. Long.” She hangs up before I have a chance to figure out if I have any questions.

She wants me to date an ‘acceptable’ woman? I cringe to think of the women she would deem acceptable.

I don’t want to date anyone. I don’t do relationships. If I don’t get involved, there’s no chance of betrayal.

But I’m willing to make an exception for Alaia. She claims to be boring. No one who writes a monthly gossip column calledThe Siren’s Spillcould possibly be boring.

Hold on. What if I convince Alaia to date me for pretend? To help me clean up my reputation?

I grin. This idea has possibilities.

Chapter 7

THE SIREN SPILLS: TANNER LONG OFF THE MARKET? Sources say “It’s complicated”

Alaia

I tap my pen on the table in the library as I review my notes on increased tidal flooding. I don’t want to write a doomsday article about how flooding is causing damage to infrastructure and property.

I want to write an informed article that snags readers’ attention and makes them want to finish the article. And saves theGazette.Should be easy. Snort.

But how do I make increased tidal flooding interesting?