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Jackie gave me a level look. “Beth. Come on. I’m not trying to goad you into admitting something I don’t already know.”
I stared right back at her. “Again, I don’t know what you mean.”
“Are you really going to make me say it?” Jackie sighed. “You’re dating three of the most famous athletes in St. Louis: Christian Baker, Braden Clark, and Logan Landry. Not only are you dating them simultaneously, but they all know about it. They visit you here at your kennel.Together. Sometimes you meet at Christian’s condo, or Logan’s house.”
“Goddamnit,” I muttered. “I was really hoping you were bluffing.”
“Afraid not. Look, I was willing to sit on the story while I was a freelancer. I want to dorealjournalism, not tabloid paparazzi crap. But I was hired by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and my photographer mentioned the story to their editor. They’re making me run it.Especiallygiven the other news surrounding the potential Colts trades. I’m sorry, Beth. I really am.”
My initial reaction was anger, even though she seemed genuinely sorry. But that anger quickly faded into resignation. “I knew this day might come ever since our photos were taken leaving that bowling alley.”
“I promise it’s not a hit piece,” she assured me. “It’s more informational than anything. Polyamory is really trendy right now. I’d love to get an interview with you. Hear your side of it.”
“I can’t do that,” I said without hesitation.
“The story would be a lot more balanced if I had your input,” she coaxed. “You could help shape public perception surrounding the whole thing. Soften the blow, so to speak.”
Her offer was tempting. Right now, the article she was going to publish was a big scaryunknown.But if I sat down with her and told our side of things, we could control it.
“I need to talk to my… to the guys about it,” I said. “When are you running the story?”
“My editor wants to run this in the big Sunday edition in three days,” Jackie explained. She still seemed apologetic about the whole thing. “Give me a call if you decide to talk. If I don’t hear from you by then, I’ll take that as a no. But I hope you call.”
44
Beth
“What’s the matter?” Claire asked as I watched Jackie drive away.
“Nothing,” I said, trying to inject some cheer into my tone.
“You’re sad because she decided not to drop off Woody, aren’t you?”
I turned and smiled at Claire. “That’s exactly right. She decided to keep her dog today so she could play with him.”
Claire nodded sagely. “As long as Woody gets play time. He’s a big boy, so he needsbigplay time. I finished poop scooping! Now what?”
“Now you need to work on your studies,” I replied. “Logan said you have to finish all your homework. I’m supposed to quiz you about all the US states tonight.”
“I know all of them,” Claire complained.
I squinted at her. “Prove it.”
“Alaska. Alabama.” She paused. “A bunch of others. And finally Wyoming! See? I got them all.”
There was no use arguing with her. “Go see if Ken is still bathing the dogs. If he is, you can help. But as soon as that’s done, you need to go inside and study. Deal?”
“DEAL!” she squealed, turning and sprinting back to the kennel building.
I watched her go. I wished my only worries in the world were trying to avoid doing my homework.
I felt my worries growing, so I reached for one of the sure-fire ways to make myself relax: I texted my three boyfriends on a group chat.
Me: How’s Montreal?
Logan: This city kicks ass. I don’t say that about a lot of cities. I want to come back in the summer, when I’m not freezing my balls off.
Me: Was that an invitation?
