Page 81 of Accidental Dad's Best Friend

I’m even a little sad about Rosilyn. If I am being honest with myself, I am worried about her. Unhinged or not, being a single mom is no joke. I know that better than anyone.

“Mommy?” Jaxon asks, his voice growing sleepier and his head growing heavier.

“Yes, love?”

“I’m not mad about Ethan.”

“Really?” I ask, a ball of emotion rising in my throat.

“Yeah. Even if you lied about it. I would be okay with it if he wanted to be my dad all the time.”

I cover my mouth with my hand. I am thankful that those last words drifted him into a rhythmic sleep because I don’t want him to see me cry. But I can’t stop the tears now. If I’m being honest, something I am apparently not great at, I wouldn’t hate it if Ethan was around either. In fact, before everything that just happened happened, I think I thought that might be the direction we were headed. I think I thought we could be together. The three of us. A family. And now, I’m kicking myself for ever letting myself, or Jax, believe that.

“Miss Sloane, please come in.”

I stand up and straighten my pencil skirt before making my way across the black tile floor. The League has a very fancy office, I’ll give them that. I don’t know what I was expecting as far as sports magazines go. Maybe a checker print floor? Racing stripes? Honestly I wouldn’t have been surprised if there was a sports bar in the lobby with 72 inch screens playing football or golf. But in reality, this place is pretty chic and I’m glad I dressed formally for the interview.

A woman with blonde hair and a bright pink blouse paired with a skirt similar to mine closes the door behind me and takes a seat behind the desk. Next to her is a young man in a fitted blue suit and while I don’t want to stare, I find myself studying him. I know I’ve seen him before. On TV maybe.

“Please, sit,” the woman motions. “I’m Jennifer and this is Matt Ortega.”

The name doesn’t immediately jump out at me but I feel like I should know it. Either way, he’s important. I can tell that much.

“I suppose we should start with why we wanted to interview you,” Matt begins and I can’t help but smile.

“I like to think you’ve read my work before. And not because you’ve heard rumors about me.”

My face flushes and immediately I realize how bad that must sound. But luckily, both Jennifer and Matt laugh.

“We have heard a great deal, but believe it or not, it hasn’t been bad. You used to work for Slay, correct?” Jennifer asks.

“Yes…” I trail the word. Slay is and forever will be a slippery subject. I have to know my audience well before talking about my time there.

But Matt shakes his head. “Don’t worry. We side with the unpopular opinion that they had it coming.”

“And if I am being honest,” Jennifer leans in, “everything you wrote about them was spot on.”

“We like your honesty, Miss Sloane. You’re real and honest and funny too. But also, you believe in the truth.”

I nod at Matt. “I suppose I feel like journalism these days is so focused on the popular story that they lose sight of the true story.”

“I agree,” he nods. “And while telling people what they want to hear sells magazines, it hurts people. Excuse me for saying this, but your father hurt a lot of people.”

“No offense taken.” I offer a smile.

Despite the fact we never published the article I wrote, my dad did in fact resign. And boy oh boy did that catch wind. Starting with the writers of NBT. As soon as he was gone, there was a party of sorts. The magazine changed direction like a sailboat catching wind. Several writers added low key articles about poor leadership, slander for the sake of sales, and even feeling liberated enough to speak the truth without repercussions. In short? The word about my dad’s unethical ways spread like wildfire through the journalism world and Ethan and I didn’t even have to do it.

“We are looking for a strong, charismatic editor to add to our team, Miss Sloane. Someone to lead the others, work directly under us and entertain sports lovers across the map all while keeping our values in check. We believe you’re a phenomenal candidate.”

“Wow,” I smile. “I mean, I don’t know much about sports.”

“You’d be surprised how little that matters for the editor in chief,” Jennifer winks.

I chuckle at that but then I stop. I blink. “Wait. Editor in chief?”

“Yes,” Matt nods, taking off his glasses. “We understand most of your work is in the writing itself but because of that, and your experience in different parts of the industry, we think you’d be a great fit.”

“I…I don’t know what to say,” I stutter. “I had no idea that was the job I was being considered for.”

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