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“Because what you did isn’t illegal. You’re young. You’re an alpha male. Right or wrong, people will accept if you were just following your impulses. So, if you told the world that you’re single, and subtly reminded them that you didn’t violate any moral code, they’ll forgive you.
“Yeah, some people are always looking to feel superior, so not everyone will give you a pass. But, if you say it in the right way, the ‘Boys will be boys’ narrative could take hold. So, I’m asking you, Nero, are you single right now?”
I sat listening to everything he had to say. If I understood him right, he was saying that life was fucked up. ‘Boys will be boys’? What type of shit was that?
But, it wasn’t like I ever believed that life was fair. I was turned into the worst person I could think of to survive. Was that fair? So, if this was the break I got in exchange for my messed-up childhood, I was gonna take it.
“There’s nobody,” I told him sure it was true.
Even if there was a chance that Kendall didn’t hate me, it wasn’t like he would want to be with me again. I was a fucked up piece of shit mess. I wouldn’t want to be with me if I could help it. So there was no way a guy as great as Kendall would.
“Good. So, in the interview, I want you to focus on that. Say that it was innocent fun blowing off steam after a game and that as a single guy, you hadn’t meant it to hurt or embarrass anyone. But, really hit the fact that you’re single. And be as humble as you can be. Can you do that?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m serious, Roman. This is important. Not just for you but for the football program. Can you do that?”
“Yes, sir. I can do it,” I said steeling my heart to what saying those words meant.
“Good,” he said again squeezing my shoulder, but this time with a smile. “You’re gonna do a great job out there. The interview is with the Nashville channel 5’s sports reporter. But, we expect it to go viral. So, try to be relaxed, but don’t forget that millions will be watching.”
“So, act like I’m on the field?”
Coach smiled. “You got this. Come on,” he said ushering me out of his office towards an improvised media room. “By the way, the guy in charge of that program you’re in for your temper insisted that I invite your student counselor. So, he’ll be there too.”
“Kendall?” I asked as a bolt of pain shot through me.
“Is that his name?” Coach asked before opening a door and ushering me through.
In a full panic, I scanned the room. There he was standing next to the guy behind the camera. When our eyes met, I saw his pain. Had I done that to him? I’m sure I had. Everything in me wanted to rush over and throw my arms around him. I couldn’t. And when I didn’t, his gaze fell to the floor.
“You ready, Nero?” Coach asked me pointing me in front of a large green screen. “Nero!”
“Yeah, I’m ready,” I said slowly remembering what I had to do.
I didn’t know what it meant that Kendall was here. Maybe he was forced to be here like I was. I couldn’t let him distract me, though. His presence didn’t mean anything. Football was still the only thing I could count on in my life and I was going to do whatever I had to to hold onto it.
The guy behind the camera approached me and gave me an earpiece.
“On the other end of that is a producer at the station. He’ll give you a countdown to when you go live with Jill Walsh.”
“The sports reporter’s a woman?” I asked turning to Coach wondering how it was going to change things. He nodded encouragingly.
“You know they have those now?” the cameraman said before returning next to Kendall.
Of course I knew there were female sports reporters, I wanted to yell. I wasn’t a stupid thug. I was tired of dealing with the way everyone saw me. I couldn’t take it anymore. I was going to show them.
“You there? You ready?” the guy in the earpiece asked.
“I’m here. I’m ready.”
“Standing by. We’re going live in five, four, three, two…”
“Tonight we have a special interview with Nero Roman the East Tennessee football player in the center of a far-reaching scandal. Nero, thank you for joining us.”
“It’s my pleasure to talk to you. I just wish it was under more pleasant circumstances like a game-winning play.”
“And, just to let the audience know, you’ve had a lot of those, the most of any freshman in Tennessee state history.”
