Page 32 of Gossip Game

“You’ve got to hand it to Charlotte’s devotees,” the tight end said. “They’ve got your back.”

Noah shot him a what’s that supposed to mean look.

Brody chortled again. “Except in this case, they are circling the wagons around Taylor.” He leaned over so Noah could see his phone screen. “They are coming to his defense for missing the field goal. They’ve even started a campaign asking fans to donate to his anti-bullying charity. They’re each giving nine bucks to match his number. So far, they’ve raised nearly ten K and it’s only been two hours.”

Sure enough, Charlotte’s Trulies were all over social media in support of Taylor and the Blaze. Noah’s chest squeezed with pride at the devoted way people stood with Charlotte. She deserved it. If only she had the same confidence about her abilities.

“It’s a nice gesture,” he admitted. “I have no doubt Bucky Kincaid will find a way to taint it somehow, though.”

“I’d like to see the asshole try,” Brody squeezed out through his tight jaw.

“He’d be a fool to mess with Charlie’s fans,” Jay McManus said, appearing out of nowhere to stand in the aisle next to Brody’s seat. “They’re already coming for him about his remarks last week.”

“See? What did I tell ya?” Brody looked between Noah and his brother-in-law. “I suggested Huddy hire Bridgett to sue the guy for slander.” He rubbed his hands together. “But this will be infinitely more fun to watch play out.”

Noah didn’t bother commenting. He was too busy trying to quash the unease rolling through his gut. The Blaze owner rarely made a social call to the back of the team plane. And since they’d just lost a tough one, Noah doubted it was to deliver an “atta-boy” to anyone.

“Switch seats with me,” McManus demanded of Brody.

Any other player would be halfway to the front of the plane by now, but Brody’s relationship with the Blaze owner was unique. The tight end hesitated, almost as if McManus’ words had been a request.

“Are you asking as the boss man or my brother-in-law?” he eventually drawled.

A charged stalemate followed until Brody rolled his eyes and hastily unfastened his seatbelt.

“I really don’t know what my sister sees in you,” he said, hauling himself out of his seat and shoulder checking McManus on his way past.

“Don’t eat all the cookies up there. I don’t need to explain to my wife why you ended up in a sugar coma,” McManus warned Brody.

The tight end gave a backward wave that might have included an obscene gesture before he walked away.

The Blaze owner sighed heavily as he settled into the seat Brody had just vacated. The seatbelt clicked loudly in the quiet night.

So much for the guy only staying for a minute.

McManus rested his head against the seatback and closed his eyes. The moment stretched painfully before he spoke.

“You played a hell of a game tonight.”

Hmm. Maybe there were “atta-boys” for a loss.

Noah remained silent. There was no point in responding with a thank you. The guy was paying him to play a “hell of a game” every time he stepped onto the field.

McManus raised his lids enough to give Noah the side-eye. Apparently, silence wasn’t going to cut it here.

“Everyone played well today. We win as a team. We lose as a team.” Noah parroted Brody’s words from the other night.

“And you’re the ultimate team player,” McManus replied.

Noah let the comment pass, waiting to see where his boss went with it. If he even meant it as a compliment.

McManus’ eyes were open wide now. And laser focused on Noah. “But right now, I need you to drop the ‘never kiss and tell’ act and tell me why Bucky Kincaid has it out for you. And what role does Charlotte play in this?”

Ahh, there it is. The real reason for this little visit.

Charlotte’s brother was a brilliant, self-made billionaire. It didn’t surprise Noah that he’d finally put some of the puzzle pieces together. It pissed him off that McManus would somehow want to lay any blame on his sister, though.

“Charlotte’s not responsible for any of the bullshit that comes out of Kincaid’s mouth,” Noah snapped, not giving a damn that this was the man who signed his paychecks.

---