Page 68 of Roughing the Player
Chapter 18
Brock
THE THREE-RING CIRCUS,otherwise known as our press conference, gets scheduled for two days later. Over two hundred media representatives eager to cover the juicy scandal have camped out at the Outlaws’ compound. But only those credentialed with the team’s PR office are allowed in, which should keep out most of the gossip rags.
The day of the press conference, Ellie and I wait in the PR office until it’s time for the briefing to begin. Having suffered through several media frenzies, I know what to expect. Ellie, on the other hand, is practically jumping out of her skin. Unable to remain still for long, she paces up and down the office, arms wrapped around her middle, eyes darting around the room.
“They won’t bite, you know?”
“Right.”
“That’s my job.”
The glare she shoots at me is hot enough to singe. “You’re disgusting.”
“But you love it.” When she doesn’t return another snappy one-liner, I know I have to do something to calm her nerves.
Taking her hand, I lead her into the nearest office. Thankfully, the place is empty. Whoever it belongs to, he’s probably dealing with the press.
I rub her chilled hands between my own. “You’re one block of ice.”
“I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s not like I haven’t attended a press conference before.”
“Because you know how brutal the questions can be.” I drape my jacket around her shoulders. As big as it is, it comes down to her thighs.
She burrows into me, seeking my warmth. “Thanks.”
I stroke her back to get her circulation going. “I won’t let them browbeat you, you know, and neither will the head of Public Relations.” She’d insisted on taking questions with the hope it would stop them once and for all. Even though I have my doubts, I went along with her plan.
Taking a step back, she glances up. “It’s not the questions that worry me.”
“Then what does?”
“That I’ll snap at them. Say the wrong thing.”
I chuckle as I hug her to me. “You won’t.”
“How do you know that?” Her words rumble against my chest, and everything’s right in my world.
“Because you are the consummate professional. And you’ll know exactly what to say.” I drop a kiss on her lips. Wish I could do more. But now’s neither the time nor place.
Someone raps on the door. “Mr. Parker? Ms. Adams? They’re ready for you.”
“Be right out,” I yell.
We wind our way through the media office into the press conference room right next door. As soon as we walk in, a flurry of camera clicks go off.
The head of PR greets us from the dais. “Brock, Ms. Adams. Please come up and take a seat.”
Holding her hand, I lead her up to the steps to the raised platform used for after-game interviews. Not only is the head of PR there, but so is Coach Grohowski and Oliver Lyons, the owner of the Outlaws. For that matter, Marty’s here as well, although he’s keeping a low profile in the back of the room.
The PR director introduces himself, Coach Grohowski, and Oliver Lyons before he spells out the rules of the conference. “Brock Parker will make a brief statement, and then he’ll take some questions.” He turns to me. “Brock.”
“Thank you.”
When I stand, Ellie removes her jacket, but I tell her to keep it on. I don’t want her to get cold. I drop a kiss on her lips, and another barrage of clicks go off.
“Hello.” The statement I prepared along with the Outlaws PR and my agent rests on the podium in front of me. The few words written there are not nearly enough to express what I’m feeling. I have to make things crystal clear. I owe Ellie that much. “Some of you, okay most of you, are wondering about my relationship with Eleanor Adams.”
