Page 79 of Love Game

“Not so much.”

“And what makes you so sure Kate Snyder will go wherever you go? I get that the two of you are all cuddled up and shit, but unless you’re packing a magic wand in your pants, I don’t see her following you to the ends of the earth. Tough talk or not, she’s a lifer, Danny.”

As if taking her cue, Kate whispered, “It’s starting.”

Danny turned back in time to watch her exchange the copy of his contract she’d been dissecting for the remote control. A pair of green reading glasses with gold emblems on the earpieces held her hair back from her face. Green and gold. Warrior glasses. Her expression was all business as she pointed the control at the television and unmuted the sound.

Mike Samlin stood at the podium, his expression solemn, the lines bracketing his eyes and mouth more pronounced than ever. “On behalf of the Wolcott University administration, I thank you in advance for your time. I’ll be reading a brief statement, but I will not be taking any questions at this time.”

Danny ended the call with his agent without a goodbye and sank onto the edge of the bed.

“It was with high hopes and great expectations that we announced the addition of Danny McMillan to the Wolcott University athletic program. In the short time he has been on campus, Coach McMillan has already had a positive impact on our student athletes and staff. Unfortunately, circumstances have come to light which have placed our continued relationship with Coach McMillan in jeopardy. As of this afternoon, the administration has decided to release Danny McMillan from his contract. We will begin reviewing new candidates for the position immediately. On behalf of our players and personnel, we ask that the media refrain from speculation that may be damaging to either Wolcott University or Danny McMillan. Thank you for your time and your ongoing support.”

With that, Mike folded the statement in half and turned from the podium. He almost made it out of camera range before one of the press corps shouted, “Is this because of his relationship with Kate Snyder?”

Kate groaned. “Oh, you horse’s ass.”

A turbulent moment of confusion followed as the cameraman swiveled to find the reporter who’d asked the question. Within seconds, Jim Davenport’s supercilious smirk filled the screen. Danny shook his head, the urge to laugh bubbling up inside him. He had to hand it to the weasel. The man had his scoop, and he wasn’t about to give it up. But the moron squashed whatever grudging respect he might have mustered when he opened his big, fat mouth again.

“He’s been seen leaving her house in the early morning hours. Doesn’t Coach McMillan have a morals clause written into his contract? Seems to me there’s no need for further investigation. That is unless you’re hoping for video evidence.”

Danny was off the bed like a cannonball, his fingers curled into fists. “I’m gonna break that fuckin’ stick insect in half.”

“Ignore him. It’s his moment in the sun.” Pressing the mute button once more, Kate pulled her reading glasses down and picked up the contract. “Jim Davenport just delivered the only line of color commentary anyone will ever hear from him. Sad to be a one and done.”

Danny swung a hand in the direction of the television. “Don’t you want to hear what they’re saying?”

She shrugged. “I’ve heard all I need to hear.”

“Yeah. I got fired.”

Kate went back to perusing the codicils and clauses as if she found legalese the most fascinating thing in the world. “Not exactly a surprise.” She nodded to the television. The cameramen kept their lenses trained on Mike’s retreating back as he left the podium. “He doesn’t want you gone any more than I do.”

Danny swallowed the lump of uncertainty balling at the base of his throat. “I may end up on the West Coast.”

“I can’t really see that happening,” she said distractedly. “You’re not the granola type.”

He dropped down on the bed, purposefully jostling her to get her undivided attention. “I’m serious, Kate. The only interest I have so far is in California or Idaho. What happens then?”

She didn’t answer.

Terrified by her silence and unable to think of a thing to say, he looked up in time to see dozens of the candid shots Millie’d leaked to the press over the past couple of months flashing on the screen. The feed scrolling across the bottom included the words publicity stunt and media sensation. Finally, NSN’s Greg Chambers shook his head as the network showed the grainy photo Davenport had snapped of him kissing Kate goodbye at her door. Danny didn’t need to be an expert lip reader to catch the anchor’s incredulous, “Is this for real?”

Danny grabbed the remote and jabbed the power button. The screen went dark, and the soft hum of the surround-sound speakers filled the room. “Well, that’s the nail in the coffin.”

“What is?”

“The kiss. Mike and I managed to leave the bit about Davenport’s pictures out of the conversation with Chancellor Martin.”

The words were barely out of his mouth when his phone rang. Danny glanced at the display, then held it up to show Kate the caller’s name.

Swiping his thumb across the screen, he managed a brief, “Hey.”

“I’m afraid I’ve been instructed to contact Gene to let you know we’ll be terminating your contract for cause,” Mike said in a stiff, formal tone. “The termination papers will be drawn up within forty-eight hours.”

Danny heard the hitch in his old friend’s voice. “Yeah. I caught that. Hey, thanks for trying, man. For everything.”

“I wish…” Mike paused for a second. “Well, I was going to say I wish things were different, and in this case I do, but only some things.”

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