Page 55 of Houston, We Have a Problem
Hold up. Did I just think the wordlove? Well that’s just straight insanity.
Forcing an easy smile despite my internal panic, I tell Houston, “I would like that. Tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.”
He relaxes a little. “You sure you won’t be too busy taking down a corrupt gambling ring?”
“I have a feeling that’s not going to end up being a story for me. But hey, at least it let me meet Darcy, right? Maybe she and I can become friends.”
“That sounds great,” he says, voice cracking with his own panic.
Yeah, okay, that one was a little mean.
Reaching out, I give his arm a squeeze and pretend I am cool as a cucumber. No freaking out happening over here, no siree. “Go to bed, Briggs. You look exhausted.”
“Yeah,” he agrees, and then he surprises me by pulling me into a hug that seems to pull me together and hold me there, like he can fix what feels more and more broken the more divided I become. It’s the extra squeeze at the end that does me in.
Maybe he isn’t as decided as I thought.
Chapter Twenty-One
Darcy
October 31
“Darcy, I hear you, Ireally do, but you have no idea what that kind of story could do for us. You know I’m going to run it regardless of if it’s you or someone else, but I would appreciate not having to buy a plane ticket to send another journalist out there.”
Connorsoundsreasonable, but he’s got that undercurrent of command that makes him a good editor in chief. He’ll listen to the requests of his journalists for the most part, but at the end of the day, he has a business to run. I’m being ridiculous, trying to get out of the Little League story, but as soon as Connor found out Tamlin has a date with Houston—from Jesse, the little traitor—he told me I have to start the interview today. No matter what that might do to my budding relationship with Houston.
“You will do the right thing,” he said before I launched into my argument a few minutes ago. I’m pretty sure he meant I’ll tell the story the right way. And there’s definitely a wrong way with this one.
“I’m not going to change your mind,” I say as I pace outside the restaurant where I agreed to meet Houston. It isn’t a question because I already know the answer.
Connor sighs, his chair squeaking in the background. “I get the feeling you’re still emotionally involved with this one.”
I want so badly to say no, but I can’t. “Isn’t that why you sent me out here? To date Houston Briggs and learn all his secrets through exploitation?” I know I sound bitter, but I can’t help it.
“I sent you out there to give you a chance to shine. Not to get yourself hurt. That’s why I pulled you back before the gala,but it clearly didn’t help.” Connor is quiet for a second. “Look, Darcy, I’m not supposed to tell you this, but the board wants to start a new division centered around inspirational stories. You know, the kind you love. And they need someone to head it up. Your name came up multiple times.”
I nearly drop my phone. A new division? And they wantmeto run it? That’s like taking a high school part-timer at McDonalds and asking them to take over the store they’ve worked at for a month. Okay, yeah, I’ve been with Enhance for the last four years and have been telling some pretty big stories for the last two, but that’s chump change compared to some of the veterans I work with.
“Are you serious?” I whisper, not sure if it’s even loud enough for Connor to hear.
“It’s not a done deal,” he says. “They’re waiting to see how you handle this Briggs story, and I’m not talking about the Little League. That’s just icing on the cake.”
I grip the phone tighter. No wonder Connor was making such a big deal out of this. “What Briggs story, Connor? What am I looking for?”
“I can’t tell you that because I don’t know. But there are signs that something is lurking under the surface, and if anyone can figure it out, you can. This could be your big break, Darcy. Whatever it is, give it the signature Tamlin flair and make ityourstory. You’ve got this, Champ.”
How am I supposed to respond to that?
He must know how much this is making me internally combust, but he throws one last log onto the flame. “You’ve always been meant for more than covering football games and dirty players, Darce. And I know you want to tell your own stories and put your name on something you can be proud of. Unless I’m wrong about this story, Briggs could be your ticket to everything you’ve ever wanted. Think about it: your own office,your own team, enough of a pay increase to get your sister out of debt and give your dad the kind of care he needs. I can’t give you that with what you’re doing now, no matter how much I want to.”
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why I work for Enhance. Why I work forConnor. Yes, first and foremost he’s my boss, but heknowsme. He knows what drives me and where I want to go, and he’s always been on my team. He’s the coach I always wanted but never had, cheering me on and pushing me to be better with tough love because he sees the potential rather than the flaws.
As much as I want this perfect job he’s describing, even more so I don’t want to disappoint him. If he thinks I can find a story here worth telling, I have to stick around and find it. I don’t know what that will mean for Houston, but I’m going to have to make the most of whatever happens. I don’t have much of a choice.
“Hey, Tamlin,” a voice says, and Houston appears around the corner, an easy smile on his face. Part of me wants to scream and run away because I so don’t have the capacity for this right now, but the sight of him holds me in place. What if this story ends up hurting him? Can I risk his happiness to help my family? Can I choose him over them?
I just have to pray there won’t be any casualties when this is all over.
