Page 79 of The Break Down

I try to squash down my fears and just follow him.

But Mitchell Knight doesn’t just walk—he glides.

Like a man who’s used to people parting for him.

Or trailing after him. Probably falling at his feet.

He leads me to a shaded table under one of the large catering canopies, where the team and staff now eat most of their meals together.

Most everyone’s cleared out already, which means it’s just me, him, and the low hum of cicadas in the trees beyond the fence.

He hands me a bottle of water.

Glass, of course.Fancy.

Then he pulls out my chair.

I’m already suspicious.

“So,” I start, voice a little too high-pitched. “What’s this about? Did I break some unspoken media rule? Accidentally catch Tank changing behind a water cooler or something?”

Mitchell laughs. The sound is low and warm, like he’s genuinely amused.

“You’re not in trouble, Finley.”

I squint at him. “That sounds like something people say right before someone gets fired.”

“Well, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear that I actually wanted to talk about hiring you.”

My jaw drops. “Wait—what?”

He leans back, perfectly at ease. “I’ve been watching your work. Your numbers are growing every day. The engagement is wild. You’ve single handedly made people care about this team in a league most Americans don’t even know how to pronounce. That’s not easy.”

My heart thuds. “Well, it’s not just me. I mean, the guys are,uh, very watchable.”

His lips twitch. “That’s a polite way of saying they’re built like Greek statues with serious anger issues.”

I laugh before I can stop myself. “I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

There’s a beat of quiet as I process.

“You’re serious?” I ask. “Like I’d be working for the Rovers full time?”

Mitchell nods. “Salary. Travel stipend. Creative control. I want you as the official head of PR and digital media for the Carolina Rovers. Not just for this season, but for the long haul. Plus, you get to hire an assistant.”

My mouth is suddenly dry. “Wow.”

“You’d be working directly with me and my team. Overseeing content strategy, brand growth, press interviews, merchandizing angles. We’re building something here, Finley. You’ve already proven you’re part of that. I just want to make it official. Oh and, I do make exceptions for staff and team fraternization.”

He adds the last bit in a stage whisper.

I should be elated.

This is the dream.

A real job.

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