Page 45 of Jockstraps & Newspapers
"I get it now," she breathed.
"Huh?"Tens looked up from the field to Cass.The goliath woman set the journalist down.Her silver skin was covered in a light sheen of sweat, her t-shirt and joggers practically painted on her skin with moisture.
"I said I get it now.I see why everyone loves the game," she chuckled sheepishly, tucking her camera away to her side.
"Sometimes you just have to experience it to understand," Tens panted for air, softly slapping a hand to Cass's shoulder cap."Go on, wrap up your equipment; they've got a few things left to do post-game before everyone's dismissed."
Cass thanked Tens before scuttling off, her sisters in tow.Katterina and Haylee babbled incessantly while they collected all the equipment bags she had stashed for safety.Andromeda helped her tuck away her camera and carried it as they went up to the announcer booth.They were all huddled around her video camera, talking about that last play, when the door on the other end of the booth opened.
"Ah!There you are, Ms.Darling!"
"Mr.Pearson!"She gulped down air, suddenly feeling suffocated.Cassiopeia Darling stepped away from the gaggle of sisters to meet the shimmering dwarf on the other end of the booth.It wasn't much, a fully eight by twelve rectangle, a long sound table, several stools that announcers and tech crew sat on, and a wall full of posters that needed replacing.Mr.Pearson looked way too fancy to be stuck in the tech booth with the rest of them.His suit was a pristine black with gold and purple pinstripes that caught the light in an elegant, stylish fashion.
"What a good idea, getting shots from the field.They will do wonders."He clapped his hands before him, beaming up at her.His beard was expertly braided with purple and gold baubles to decorate it.
"Thanks, Tens helped by boosting me up, but I think I've got a few winners, plus the shots of the winning goal."
Mr.Pearson chuckled, "Love to hear it.I'm glad I caught you before you got too wound up in the festivities.I would like you to swing by the office Monday morning, bright and early, we have some things to go over for your latest piece and numbers to talk about."
Her heart flipped in her chest.Is that good?Laughing breathlessly, she nodded, "Of course, be there bright and early!"
Oh I’m cooked, my goose is gone, I'm so fired, I fucked up.
"Fabulous, I can't wait."Mr.Pearson glanced behind her and beamed even brighter."Ah, Ms.Lyra Darling, this saves me a trip.Will you accompany your sister on Monday morning as well?I believe there was a notice put on your desk yesterday, correct?"
Cass twisted, inch by inch to her older sister.The lawyer grimaced, "I wasn't made aware this had anything to do with my sister, I thought we were just going over the routine touch base for Salamander?"
"Well, you know what they say, two birds, one stone.See you both Monday morning!"Mr.Pearson chirped as he flounced out of the announcer booth and flew down the metal steps.
Cass stumbled backward, twisting as she moved so her back was to the door.Lyra stood still, her hands up like white flags."I didn't know."
"Am I getting fired?I technically haven't even started!"she squawked, arms tossed out to her sides.
"Now, don't jump to conclusions," Andromeda warned with a stern look in Cass's direction.
"Too late, I'm already overboard, straight to the deep end—Lyra, am I in trouble?"Cass couldn't help the buzzing of anxiety in her chest as she stared at the elegant lawyer.Her sister raked her fingers through her hair.
"We won't know until Monday, but whatever happens, know that I have your best interest."Lyra used her sunglasses as a headband to keep her soft tendrils of hair out of her face.
"But your firm represents Salamander!What if it's me vs.them?"Cass was chewing on the bile spewing up through her esophagus.Oh no…oh no, no, no.
"Cass, seriously?"Lyra scoffed, "As if that's even a question."
"I'm questioning it!"she barked.
"It's you!Of course, it's always you.I always choose you."
Her heart stopped.The words tumbled out of her mouth without permission."Then why did you do it?"
"Do what?"Lyra snorted, cocking her head to the side.Suddenly, everyone in the booth, including the announcers, were watching her.Headphones off, microphones off, they were invested and chomping on popcorn.
"Havoc Green."
The air was sucked out of the room.Andromeda furrowed her brows, jerking her attention to Lyra with a serious scowl plastered to her features."I thought you took care of him."
"I did!"Lyra barked back.
"What is going on?"Katterina eyeballed the older sisters.
