Page 11 of Wicked Player

“Amanda,” I said, more of a sigh. Made sense. The beautiful and fit redhead had more experience. She’d been doing the afternoon news for seven years so of course it made sense to move her up to the evening news. “Okay.” I was already nodding. “Thank you for your kind words.”

That soft smile he had when he mentioned Chase being born returned, turned even friendlier.

“I said temporarily.”

“Well, of course, Shayla’s maternity leave is temporary.”

“I’m hoping so, but to be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if she decides to leave us. Chase is her third boy. She’s going to have her hands full and I can imagine, since she’s mentioned wishing she could be home, that she might consider it these next few months.”

Oh.Oh.“I hadn’t heard.”

He flipped his hand to the side dismissively. “Shayla’s neither here nor there. I have a new assignment for you. I’m pulling you off the summer travel vacation spots for the next few weeks and putting Will on them. In two weeks, one of the Raleigh Rough Riders is being honored and named as a major donor and planner of the new Family Center at the Children’s Hospital. It opens mid-season, a busy time for our boys.”

I all but rolled my eyes as he proclaimed our pro football team to be his boys. Fandom went deep in Raleigh and Shane had been waving his teal and blue flag high and proud since the team started.

“And you want me to report on the opening?”

“Yes. As Gage Bryant promotes the opening, newscasters will be essentially following him around. Fundraising events. Promotional events. He’s hosting a variety of things including a bowling function. There will be luncheons, a few dinners, and tours of the new wing before it opens. I want you covering it all. Reporting everything.”

Wowzers. That was a lot to put on one reporter. I’d heard about the new children’s wing opening but hadn’t paid much attention. Also, football was as familiar to me as Russian so other than the fact a multi-millionaire was dishing out some money, probably due to contractual obligations of volunteer time or something else written in his contract, I really hadn’t given it much headspace.

“Okay. Thank you. It sounds like a great opportunity.”

“It’stheopportunity.”

“Pardon?”

Shane leaned forward and lowered his voice. “This is your opportunity, Elizabeth. Nail this assignment. Put your heart and soul and your entire intelligence and everything you know about journalism into these pieces. Nail it, and I will give you the desk when it’s done.”

“Excuse me?” My voice went breathy. I was having trouble breathing. All my hopes returned with a rushing forcing knocking the wind from my chest. “Really?”

“Amanda doesn’t want the night desk. She likes her afternoons and I’m willing to keep her there, but assuming Shayla doesn’t return, I need someone ready. You’re young, but ratings always jump when you’re on and you’re consistent and professional. I don’t want to have to look outside the station if the time comes and to be honest, you were the person I considered for it, but I really want this lifestyle piece to exceed expectations.” He leaned back, his palms at the edge of his desk and tilted his head. “Can you do that for me?”

“Yes.” I’d turned into a bobblehead. Head shaking like a madwoman. “Yes. I can do that.”

“My expectations are high, Elizabeth.”

They always were. That he trusted me to do this and believed I could give him what he was looking for sent excitement buzzing to my fingertips and my toes.

“I’ll do it. Thank you, Shane. Thank you for the opportunity.”

“Good. Here’s the schedule of events. He’s kicking the events off with a press conference today after their practice.” He slid a manila folder across the desk. “Inside is everything you need, including press credentials to get in. Take Jason with you. I’ve already talked to him.”

Jason was one of the main cameramen. I’d not only worked with him frequently, but we worked well together. Plus, he was a huge football fan. Which meant he could fill me in on who this Gage guy was before the conference.

“Great.” With hands shaking from excitement, I picked up the folder. “Thank you, Shane. I won’t let you down. I promise.”

He was turning toward his computer keyboard and grinned at me. “Never had a doubt you would, Elizabeth.”

* * *

“This is huge,”Will said, his voice a whisper-hiss. News traveled fast and I’d barely given him a shaky smile once I left Shane’s office, a quick stop at my desk before I went to squeal like a child in the women’s restroom. By the time I returned, he’d already heard. “I mean it Elizabeth. This is awesome.”

“It is.” I rubbed my hands together. “And I’m excited and nervous and freaked. I know nothing about football or this guy. I have so many questions.”

Like why him? Why was this guy dumping millions into a children’s center? Goodness of his heart? Volunteer requirement? Did he have a shady background and trying to project a new image?

Will adjusted his black frames on his nose and shook his head. “Google is your friend, my dear, but I’ll tell you what I know. Gage Bryant is pristine. He’s a do-gooder and an incredible wide receiver. He’s been to the Pro Bowl the last two years. People love him and I’ve never heard a hint of anything hidden in his closet the entire time he’s been here.”

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