Page 69 of The Double Play

“This is Brock Jones, Emmett’s agent.”

My eyebrows raise. This is unexpected.

“Oh, I didn’t know Emmett gave you my number.”

It seems out of character for Emmett not to give me notice about something like that, but it’s been a hectic few days.

“He didn’t,” Brock says, confusing me even more. “Not directly, at least. I have all of his employees on file.”

I shift in the stadium seat.

“That makes sense. Is there something I can help with?”

“I’m just calling to make sure there’s nothing…” he trails off. I hear typing in the background. “Unsavoryin your background that I should know about.”

My stomach tightens. Anxiety climbs up my throat. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking or the need for it.”

He doesn’t answer for a moment. His voice sounds far away as he tells someone to push his next meeting.

“Sorry about that.” More typing noises. “As we’re rolling out the news about you and Emmett, people will go digging. It’s best if I know right away what we could be dealing with.”

Emmett glances up again. I smile, but it’s hard to keep an exuberant expression while thinking of the media combing through my past.

“I don’t have any personal history like that, but my mom recently dealt with alcohol poisoning. I’m about to be the caretaker of my younger sister.” I cringe as I realize I just told Brock before I told Emmett.

“That’s good,” he says in an absent tone.

“Um–”

“Sorry!” he blurts, sounding more alert. “I didn’t mean that the part about your mom was good. I’m just swamped right now. I apologize. Please don’t tell Emmett I said that or he’ll take my head off with a baseball bat.”

I let out a nervous laugh. “It’s okay, I know our situation isn’t easy.”

“All a part of the job.” He takes an audible breath. “I meant to say that it’s good you’ll be caring for your sister. Not only does it sound like it’s better for her, but it will make the public sympathize with you more.”

I frown at his wording. “I don’t want to hurt Emmett’s image, but I don’t think I want to broadcast my family drama to the world.”

“I was thinking it would only be used if they found something on your mom, but of course I would never bring anything up that you weren’t comfortable with.”

I relax a little. He’s just trying to do his job. It’s not his fault we’re in this situation, and this is his way of helping.

“If it helps Emmett, it’s okay to say,” I tell him. “But I’d like to stay out of the media as much as possible.”

Brock lets out a short laugh. “You chose the right man then. Emmett despises all media. This is going to be the most publicity he’s dealt with in years.”

My stomach sinks. Inyears. That means he hasn’t dealt with anything like this since hisdivorce. Now, because of my job and my family history, he’s going to be put through something he hates again.

“Was my history all you needed?” I ask, because I’d really like for this conversation to be over.

“That was my main topic, but I also wanted to tell you that it would probably be good for you to go through some media training. There’s a chance you’ll be approached by reporters or asked to do an interview. You’ll need to know how to turn them down politely or know which questions to answer.”

“You really think they’ll want to talk to me?”

“Well, you’re the first woman Emmett has dated since his divorce. And you’re June’s nanny.” My head droops at his words. “So you have a higher chance than the average MLB girlfriend. The training isn’t much, just a video course I send to WAGs. I’ll email it to you.”

“WAGs?”

“Wives and girlfriends, specifically of professional athletes,” he says this in that same absent tone. The typing intensifies. I should stop wasting his time with things I could Google.

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