Page 49 of Wrong Score

I meet Sam’s gaze, silently asking what he expects from me in this conversation.

“We’re trying to come up with a strategy,” Sam explains. “Something that will put distance between Keely’s family past and her role with the team, while also getting ahead of any potential stories that might try to dig this up.”

Autumn raises a hand. “I have a connection with WomanFit magazine. They are one of the biggest magazine brands for athletes out there right now. The Editor loves Briggs’ charity and she donates a huge amount each year. I briefly spoke to her about how we hired a female head PT for our men’s hockey team and she was thrilled at the idea of doing a monthly edition of women in sport related careers.”

Phil rubs his chin. “Interesting. What’s your angle on this?” he asks.

Autumn looks to Rowan who takes the lead. “We might not be able to hold this story back for long. Keely and Reeve have been getting a lot of publicity lately over Reeve saving her and Keely nursing him back to health. It’s a feel good story, but with it, people are snooping around.”

Sam crosses his arms over his chest. “You think that someone is going to find this story?”

“Eventually,” Rowan says. “But this magazine is an opportunity to control when, how, where and with all the facts told from Keely’s point of view.”

I stare over at her and she finally meets my eyes after Sam and Phil nod in agreement.

“You knew about this? For how long?” I ask.

She swallows and then looks around the room as if she feels guilty too for keeping it from everyone.

Keely steps forward toward me. “It wasn’t Rowan’s fault. I asked her to keep my secret. If it weren’t for her, Reeve and I wouldn't be dating. But I should have told everyone sooner. Reeve has been worried they’ve been trying to come up with a solution.”

My eyes search out Rowan again. That’s what the hallways whispers have been about and why Reeve has been distracted. “This would have at least brought it some click-bait readers. Charles isn’t happy about this, I’m sure.”

“He doesn’t know,” she says, her eyes narrowed on me.

She kept this from her boss? A story like this?

“You kept a story from your boss to protect the team and Keely?” I ask.

“Can we do this another time? This is about helping Keely, not aboutThe Seattle Sunrise. I have other loyalties than just my chosen profession,” she says, already turning her eyes back on Autumn as if to cut me out.

I deserved that.

I thought for sure that she had something on Reeve and now I know that I was wrong.

Phil clears his voice. “I think Autumn and Rowan have a good plan. Let’s excuse this and keep me apprised of any sponsorship squabbles. Nothing a few executive box tickets to the game won’t remedy.”

“Thank you, sir,” Reeve says, Keely, Autumn and Rowan quickly agreeing.

“You’re all excused, Phil and I have a few things to discuss. Have a good day everyone,” Sam says. “Autumn and Rowan—keep me in the loop about the magazine spread.”

They both nod, and we all make our way toward the exit. I hang back, keeping my eyes on Rowan as she lingers at the rear of the group, exiting last.

“Can we talk?” I ask, leaning closer to her ear as she passes by me, my voice low enough that only she can hear.

She glances over her shoulder, her eyes sharp, then takes a quick scan to ensure we’re far enough away from Sam and Phil before speaking.

“I thought you said your tongue did enough talking yesterday,” she says, her tone laced with both challenge and irritation, a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips.

I deserve that.

But I’m not about to let her brush me off, not after everything that just came to light.

I gently hook my hand around the inside of her elbow before she takes another step away from me. She shoots me a look over her shoulder, but she stops and I release her.

I got her attention, now it’s up to her if she wants to stay and discuss the misunderstanding we had earlier.

“I’m sorry about yesterday. About what I said when you came to see me… and how I acted. What did you really come to talk to me about yesterday?”

---