Page 37 of Home of the Brave

“I’ll find him and apologize.”

“Good luck,” she called as she turned toward the exit.

I would need it.

10

JOSH

Iwasn’t aware the guys would join me in leaving. At least, not the whole team. When Hartman said they had my back, I assumed it was just him and Schultz.

I didn’t know they would boycott everyone either. I thought it would just be her…

Deep down, I knew I should feel bad. We didn’t just leave Victoria, but all the press in an awkward position. At least they had East to interview.

It wasn’t even that I wanted to punish her, or any of the other journalists, but I couldn’t just stand there and play nice either. There had to be consequences for her actions, her words.

Not everything that gets published or put on social media needed to be positive. I was well aware of that fact, but it didn’t need to be hurtful either.

It was one thing for a fan to say you sucked after a bad game, or for rival fans to bash on you.

But a journalist? One that worked for a well-respected network like Sports Now?

That required a level of professionalism she hadn’t displayed, and I was finally getting a chance to do something about it.

“Any heat from the coaches?” I asked Hartman as I changed into my warmups after practice. It had been another grueling day. I couldn’t prove it, but I think the others were enjoying taking shots at me a little too much.

“No, but it’s only been a day. I’m sure if we stay silent for one or two more, they’ll start to hear complaints,” he replied as he pulled on his shirt.

“We can take as long as we need to,” Schultz promised as he stood and glanced around the locker room. There were only a few of us in here since we had about an hour before practice.

“Henson?” Kingston Brewer called as he walked in. When he spotted me, he pointed over his shoulder. “You’ve got a visitor waiting.”

“A visitor?” Mario teased “Did you find someone in DC?”

“No,” I had no idea who it could be.

“Go on,” Kingston encouraged as he passed me.

I shared a look with Hartman and Schultz before walking out.

Victoria stood with a box in her hands and several bags at her feet. Her bright smile wavered when she saw me, but she quickly recovered. “Hi, Josh.”

“Hi.” I stayed several feet back.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted, looking as surprised by the outburst as I was. She shook her head. “Ah, sorry. I’ve a whole speech planned, but I just really need you to know first that I’m sorry.”

I crossed my arms. “For?”

She struggled with the box and looked around before finally setting it down in front of her. “I’m sorry for the article.” She reached back and pulled her phone from her pocket. “If you’ll let me explain.”

“Explain exactly what you meant when you said I wouldn’t last the season? That was pretty easy to understand. Even for an overrated, empty-headed kid that had obviously taken too many pucks to the head.”

She grimaced. At least she recognized her own words.

“I didn’t write that.”

I scoffed, “Oh, really?”