I watch her go back inside, my heart feeling warm and full as she does. I’m still thinking about our conversation and the ease when the phone rings again in my hand. It’s the same number, so this time instead of voicemail I decided to answer it. Why not? Curiosity killed the cat, not the Riley.
“Is this Riley?” a female voice says in my ear. “I’m a reporter calling fromAthletic Edgeand would love to ask you some questions.”
I don’t have to think twice about where I’ve heard ofAthletic Edge. The name Greta comes to mind, and I’m instantly filled with a rush of irritation.
“If this is Greta, I have no comment.” That, and Jake is going to be here any minute, and I most certainly don’t want to taint our last night hanging out together with this woman’s meddling.
“Look, I’ve had someone in the town of Sweetkiss Creek—that’s where you are, right?—get in touch to tell me that Jake was physical with them over the weekend at a private dinner.”
My reaction shocks me as I fight a shudder of anger that ripples across my skin. “What?”
Even as I sit here with my mouth hanging open, I can’t help but wonder if this woman, who doesn't know that I know she dated Jake, has done her journalistic due diligence and seen the photo of us together? It had ended up on the internet, all right, and gone around. I’d had all of my girlfriends text it to me the last few days asking what was going on, but I’ve just stayed silent for now. I need to figure it out, don’t I?
“He can be aggressive. It tracks with his past, Riley. He’s been linked to a fight with a teammate, and I don’t know if you are aware that he was also in a fight when he was on a team in Florida. Granted it was a long time ago, but still.”
“Why are you doing this?” I ask, sitting down and facing the creek again. “Genuinely, Greta, I want to know what you hope to accomplish by taking down Jake?”
The silence on the other end tells me that my words hit their target. I was always good at archery. When she doesn't respond, I keep going.
“Do you realize that the instances you are talking about, the ones you’re trying to make a big deal about, are times he’s had to stand up for himself or someone else? It’s not just about him being aggressive or getting into a fight for fighting’s sake, like the story you’re trying to spin.”
“I guess if I was the one making out with him, I’d come to his defense, too.” If I wasn’t sure she’d seen the photo, now I’m positive.
“Maybe it’s because you’re not the one making out with him that you’re doing this?” Yeah, I’m pulling no punches here. I’m livid. “I’m gonna let you in on the secret: in Florida, he wassticking up for his dad. The man has been through hell and was in a psych ward when the opposing team started to make fun of him. Of course Jake stood up for his father, wouldn’t you?”
Silence, so I continue. “The fight with Todd, from the Blades? That’s a good one. Todd is a misogynistic serial dater and Jake was tired of hearing about his conquests. He asked Todd to stop being disrespectful of women and it blew up from there. Not by Jake’s choosing, so maybe you need to talk to Todd about that one.”
Greta inhales sharply. “I didn’t know.”
“For a journalist, I’m shocked at the amount of questions you don’t ask,” I snap. “Lastly, let's discuss this private dinner. Did Tim tell you when he called that he was drunk and trying to hit on the chef that night, who happened to be me? I bet he left out the part that his brother, the host of the meal, was horrified, and all but gave Jake permission to throw him out on his butt if he wanted to. The only reason you heard from Tim is because he’s a privileged man with a lot of money who dislikes Jake because he’s not on the Blades any longer.”
As the last word falls out of my mouth, I stop a beat and wait for Greta’s reaction. She’s silent for only a moment.
“I’m only doing my job, Riley.”
“You’re not doing it well. Don’t tear this man down because you have the time and because you think he broke your heart. Aren’t you better than that?” Shaking my head, I start winding the conversation down. I want to wrap this up before Jake is back. “I have friends who are journalists and they would even say that you’re giving journalism a bad name, turning it into gossip. Come on, woman. Be better.”
“So, instead of talking to me, you’re gonna fight fire with fire?” she asks, every word dripping with sarcasm. I should have expected as much, I guess.
“No,” I respond after a pause. I make sure to speak slowly so she gets my drift. “I can’t fight a fire with fire when I’m busy holding the flamethrower. If you so much as go to put this story out, I’ll talk to the press myself about all of this. I know for a fact that you were served a cease-and-desist. I think in all of your digging, you may have not seen that my brother is also Jake’s agent. Keep fanning those flames, Greta, and you’re the one who will eventually get burned.”
I press end on the call, shaking, as someone clears their throat from behind me. Spinning on my heel, my stomach lurches when I find Jake standing in the doorway, arms crossed. A lazy smile is draped on his lips, but his eyes are wide and full of surprise.
He crosses the space between us, pulling me into his arms. “You. Are. Amazing.”
NINETEEN
Jake
I’ve had people tell me, like teachers for example, to suck it up, that I can do better. I’ve had coaches tell me that I’m doing a great job, don’t doubt yourself. Even my father has given me a pep talk or two when I was dealing with other kids teasing me when I was growing up.
But standing front and center and witnessing someone going to bat for you is a whole other experience altogether. It’s like feeling the weight of their support, each word they speak a shield against any and all doubt or criticism, and every gesture a testament to their belief in you.
When I heard her stick up for me, I can admit that it was the biggest turn-on ever.
I keep her pressed close to my chest, her arms wrapped behind me as her fingernails dance along my spine.
“I don’t think anyone has ever done something like that for me,” I whisper in her ear. “You protected my name when I wasn't in the room to do it myself, and it’s awesome. That’s like, a whole lot of inspiration for loyalty right there.”
