Page 71 of Gross Misconduct

“If you need anything or just need to talk, call me, okay?”

She nodded and left through the glass doors.

I put on a dark-gray suit and felt like I was going to a funeral. I’d seen the press conference announcement, and people were speculating. Every reporter with my number had called or texted. No way was I saying a word before a microphone was shoved in my face. Of course, people were speculating, but if they expected me to confirm it, that wasn’t happening.

Taylor met me at Graham Place along with Jill. She had on a black tailored pantsuit and baby-blue blouse. She looked great, but when didn’t she? She escorted us into an office with another person from her staff, a mousy brunette with huge brown eyes that were almost too big for her face.

“This is my most trusted staff member, Whitney Charbonneau. She and I will be handling the statement today.”

Jill and Whitney ran us through the scenario, and I couldn’t quell the nervousness I was feeling. The statement was only a few paragraphs long, but it felt like the longest thing I’d ever seen. My only consolation was that our bye week was starting,and a lot of the guys would be heading out of town. I’d be hiding in my condo.

“Is it all clear? Do you feel ready?”

I glanced at my watch. This thing was supposed to start in ten minutes. “I think so.”

Jill grabbed a glass of water that was on the table. I hadn’t even seen the pitcher and other glasses. She handed me one and told me to have a bit of it. How did she know that my mouth was already painfully dry? I thanked her, and we slowly made our way to the media area. Dave was there, and so was Coach Anthony. Jill had briefed them, and they’d both offered to take some questions. Jill agreed to only a few because her plan was to have this over within minutes.

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. I stared at the door to the media room and wanted to throw up. I should have never hooked up with Orla, and now this would follow me forever. I could only hope my teammates, family, and Jill would forgive me.

Jill opened the door and went into the media room. Taylor and I followed. A lectern had been set up, something different from normal media events. Jill went to the lectern, and the assembled reporters quieted. There had to be at least thirty in there.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Jeremy Vaughn has a short statement to make,” she said. “He won’t be answering any questions, but a few questions can be directed to Dave McLeod and Coach Anthony. I will also be available to answer a few questions.”

She motioned for me to come out, and I took one more deep breath and made my way to the lectern as she stepped away. She’d made sure to touch my arm, more for the benefit of the assembled reporters than for me. She wanted to show unity. I thought she’d leave, but she stood a few steps behind me, and Ifound some comfort in that. I looked out at the assembled crowd of reporters and then looked down at my statement. I’d practiced it a few times so t it sounded sincere—not that it wasn’t.

“I have a statement to make today. Back in September, I lied to all of you, and I’m sorry for that. In April of last year, I engaged in an inappropriate and intimate relationship with Orla Donnelly. When I returned to training camp in the fall, Orla and I resumed our relationship. It was wrong, I made a mistake, and I apologize to everyone I’ve hurt. I let my teammates, family, friends, and my fiancée down by not telling them the truth. I apologize to Lex and hope that one day you all can forgive me.”

I finished the statement and heard all the shocked murmurs. Finally, it was out there. Jill startled me by touching my arm again, and when I turned to her, she gave me a hug. I assumed it was all phony, but she whispered in my ear that I’d done a great job. Then she kissed my cheek. I didn’t think that was for the cameras, but then again, maybe it was. I was too confused and anxious to make any sense of it.

Reporters peppered questions at me, but Taylor ushered me back out the door.

Once we were in the hallway, my phone was lighting up from friends and teammates, but then one caught my eye. It was from Orla, with a few choice words.

You fucking asshole!

I deleted the message and blocked her number.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Jill

After some investigation, I learned that the person who’d paid off my student loans was Clay! Since he was back in Palm Springs, I sent him a text to ask him about it, and more importantly to thank him and insist he take it back.

No thanks necessary. You’ve done an excellent job. And if you make me take the money back, I’m firing you. Do you really want to be fired, Ms. Bowman?

You can’t fire me. We had an agreement.

I can still fire you, but I don’t want to, so take the money.

Fine. I’ll keep the gift.

Wise choice.

With my month of hell nearly out of the way, I had to admitthat things were looking up, especially with Wolseley coming for a visit. She was in town for three days, and I’d taken all of them off. Tangi had managed to get one of those days off and would be available in the evenings.

But before I could enjoy my vacation and meet my friend at the airport with Tangi—who would be driving since I’d still had no car—I had to finish work. And while I was doing that and getting ready to pack up, my phone rang, and I froze. My father. I’d programmed his number into my phone so I’d know when he called. I’d almost forgotten about him since he hadn’t bothered to call back for three weeks! I guess he was too busy to get around to me. I considered not answering and ridding him from my life forever, but part of me also wanted to get a lot off my chest.

“Hello,” I said tentatively.

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