Page 34 of Home of the Brave

“Thanks,” I whispered as I pulled away and shook out my arms.

“I really don’t like Joe.” She folded her arms over her chest. “He’s so fake, and I don’t mean his teeth, skin, hair, or clothes.”

I tried to smile, but failed.

“Did you know, during the NFL season, he has his own glam squad? It's in his contract.”

I closed my eyes. I did not need additional reasons to despise Joe; I had enough to fuel my rage for years, but it did make me want to laugh. At him.

“That was supposed to be you, right?”

I glared at the screen, watching one of the most boring interviews ever, and nodded.

“Miles told me. I’m really sorry,” she sighed. “I was supposed to cover the surfers in Tahiti during the Summer Olympics. I was one of two people with experience, but they gave it to some new guy, who I later found out was dating the daughter of some higher-up. The coverage was garbage, of course, and he got fired, so at least there was some victory, but I get it. It’s not fair.”

“Thanks.” It wasn’t uncommon in our industry for great assignments to be ripped away from deserving people.

Joe cleared his throat, clearly frustrated with Piper Pierce. “Do you have anything to add?”

She’d only given one-word answers to all of his questions.

Was she excited about this tournament?

Yes.

What was she most looking forward to?

Playing.

Did she find it a challenge to unite her team?

No.

It was on him for not asking open-ended questions and putting himself in the position of looking like an idiot. I couldn’t help but appreciate Piper, though. It wasn’t like she was being purposely spiteful on my behalf; at least, that wasn’t the entire reason.

He was treating them as though they were this sudden, come out of nowhere, fluke. Like they hadn’t been working for years and years for the same level of recognition as their male counterparts.

She was visibly annoyed, and with great cause.

I could only hope our bosses caught on and realized their mistake.

“Well, unless he, too, gets fired, we’ve got our own work to do.” Cambrie pulled me from my thoughts.

I nodded and turned to the TVs. The men’s teams were about to switch for practice, so we’d be able to interview the West Stars as they trickled out.

As much as I wanted to stomp my foot and go on about how unfair this was, it wouldn’t change anything, and I doubt it would even make me feel better. It wasn’t even Joe’s fault. I doubt he wanted this assignment; he obviously hadn’t prepared for it. He hadn’t even read the notes I sent him. I knew because the email was marked unread.

The only thing in my control was what I produced, and I refused to flounder like he was.

I might not like the men’s teams as much as the women’s, due to my personal bias, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t come up with meaningful and entertaining interviews.

I couldn’t give Chris, or his bosses, any reason to deny me or put me in a similar position again. My portfolio was going to be strong when I met for my contract renewal. I’d show them that while they could put me wherever needed, I belonged with the women’s teams, especially at this vital moment in the sport’s history.

I wanted to be on the front lines as their fame and popularity took off; I wanted to be a part of the reason why it did.

But I couldn’t do that from here.

So, I needed to suck it up and do my very best now to get the leverage I’d need later.