Page 198 of Power Play

“Must be the whole first-female-broadcaster accolade. Oh, or the broadcasting hall of fame nomination after only one year in the field. Maybe the nonprofit you and Emmy started that hands out scholarships to women in athletic-centered careers caught their attention?”

“That is a lot of attention. It’s not just me, is it?”

“Nope. Women from different divisions will be featured. You’ll be in it for two minutes tops.”

“Okay.” I nod, grateful for a platform to shout out my love for female athletes. My adoration for women in sports and all the roles those jobs encompass. “I’ll do it.”

Liam holds out his hand. I lace our fingers together and he tugs me to the media room. I’m expecting a whole production team. Big lights and half a dozen cameras that capture all the angles of this interview, but when we walk inside, there are only two stools set up in front of a single camera.

“Pick a seat,” he says.

“This is weird,” I answer, choosing the one on the left. “A little bit like an interrogation.”

“You’ve interviewed dozens of people over the years.” Liam sits next to me. He barely fits on the stool with his long legs and wide shoulders. When he’s as settled as he can be, he grabs the edge of my chair and drags me over to him, our knees knocking against each other. “Now it’s your turn to be in the hot seat.”

“Oh andyou’redoing the interviewing? I thought you hated being in front of the camera. The Christmas cards we sent out last year featured ugly sweaters and your scowl.”

“Piper Mitchell. When did you first realize you liked sports?” he asks, ignoring me.

“I was a coxswain on my high school crew team, and that was my first real exposure to athletics. In college, I worked at the arena box office selling tickets. I was there for basketball, volleyball, and hockey. I loved the energy the students and fans brought, so on one of my days off, I decided to go watch a hockey game. I’ve been hooked ever since.”

“Did you always want to work in sports?”

“No, not really. I’ve always liked talking to people. Learning their stories and getting to the root of why they operate the way they do. When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher. My early teenage years, I wanted to do something with psychology. When I got to college, I discovered I could have a career that merged both sports and talking people’s ears off. I started in the sports broadcasting department and never looked back.”

“You can only pick one favorite Stars memory. What is it?”

“You need to step up your interview questions, Sullivan. That one is easy: watching you win the Stanley Cup. That save at the end of regulation was unbelievable.”

“Everything else I do in my career is going to be shit,” Liam agrees, and I laugh. “Speaking of goals: where do you see yourself in five years?”

“Wow. That was a nice pivot.” I cross my legs and tap my cheek. “I’d like to still be with the Stars. I love our broadcasting team, and I think we’re doing good work. I’d love for our nonprofit to expand throughout the country and not just be confined to the DC and Maryland area. I hope I can keep inspiring young women out there who are afraid there isn’t space for them in a world dominated by men. We have to make our own room, and we’re getting there.”

“Let’s talk about your personal life. I hear you got married.”

“Yeah, to this guy I got drunk with in Vegas. He wouldn’t let me get a divorce, though. I’m kind of stuck with him.”

“He sounds horrible.”

“The worst, honestly.”

“Let me know if he ever gives you any issues. I’ll put him in his place.”

“Sounds a little bit like you’re flirting with me.” I lean forward, invading his space. “I’m not sure my husband would like that very much.”

“I can probably take him.” Liam kisses my forehead, and I smile. “Who decided getting drunk then married was a good idea?”

“Tequila, apparently.”

“That son of a bitch.” He lifts my hand and examines my fingers. “I see you’re wearing a ring.”

“It’s nothing special, but I like it.”

“Tell me about the proposal. Was it nice?”

“Did you miss the part about tequila?” I laugh again. “I’m pretty sure the handle of alcohol was proposing to me.”

“Huh. Doesn’t sound very romantic.”

---