Page 207 of The Coach

Reagan raises an unimpressed brow. “Oh.Ownership?”

Reagan’s family is the majority owner of the team.

“It’s not just your family, Rea,” she says.

“Okay. And?”

Margo exhales sharply. “And they want to get ahead of it. We need to be strategic. We can’t haveanotherscandal this season.”

I shift in my seat, my stomach twisting. I hate that she’s talking about me like I’m not even there. “I’m not ascandal.”

Margo finally looks at me. “No offense, Ivy, but this isn’t just about you. It’s about optics. About the Stallions’ brand.”

Cassie scoffs. “Oh, give me a break.”

Margo continues, ignoring her. “We need a statement. An official one. Preferably before the post-game press conference.”

Reagan sets her glass down. “And you think I’m going to tell Jackson to do that?”

Margo folds her arms. “You’re his boss, Reagan.”

Reagan leans back, unbothered. “I’m also married to his quarterback.”

Margo narrows her eyes. “And that worked out great for you, huh?”

Cassie gasps. “Oh, you know what? Bless your heart, Margo. Why are you being so combative?”

Reagan’s expression doesn’t change. But there’s something deadly in her gaze.

“Margo, let me make something very clear,” Reagan says. “Jackson Knox is leading this team to a winning record. He has the full support of the front office. And unless ownership wouldliketo lose their head coach over something asstupidas telling him how to manage his personal life, I’d suggest backing the hell off.”

Margo’s jaw tightens.

“Fine,” she snaps. “But if this blows up worse than it already has? It’s onhim.Not on me.”

She turns on her heel and stalks out.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

Cassie grabs my hand. “You okay?”

I nod slowly. “Yeah. But I don’t want to be a distraction to him, Cassie.”

Reagan scoffs. “You’re not. The media is. And Margo’s just trying to cover her own ass. But guess what? She’s on the wrong side here. It’s clear as day that you two are the real deal. And Jackson hates making media statements about his personal life to set the record straight. But you two are going to have to suck it up and be proactive on this one.”

I look back down at the field. At Jackson.

He’s still locked in. Still focused.

But if I know him?

If heseeswhat’s being said?

This isn’t over.

Chapter Forty-One

JACKSON

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