Page 65 of Best Year Ever
They’ve focused in on the storyline that we’re both staying at the same place. “How’s living in the same house as Malcolm? Do you share strategies and talk tennis? How long have you known each other?” And on and on.
I tolerate the questions because they’re easy to handle. I’d rather have the press focused on Malcolm—nothing to report there—than pick up anything about Landon and me. However, the paparazzi is now surrounding our neighborhood, making it almost as difficult as a hotel to navigate around.
When I finally get home after the match, I’m ready to decompress. Maggie squeals as she sees me and gives me a big hug. “This is so exciting,” she says with drawn out syllables.
After a large group of us chats for a while, Maggie breaks away from her conversation with one of the guys. “Rori, there’s something I need to show you in my room,” she says.
I must look confused because she whispers, “You will want to see this.”
I follow her into her room, where I see almost as many of Peter’s clothes as hers lying around.
“That talk must have gone well,” I tease her.
“Not too bad,” she responds, grinning.
“Is that what you wanted to chat about?” I ask, taking a seat on her messy bed.
Maggie wrings her hands and then explains. “No, though yes,I owe you the full story. No, I wanted to show you something about Landon.”
My antennae immediately go up.
She whips out her phone and goes to a video recording of an interview that Landon must’ve done courtside.
“Landon,” the reporter says, holding a mic that indicates she works for one of the big networks. “It’s good to see you here, enjoying another sport. Are you a tennis fan?”
Landon’s in full PR mode and gives an 800-watt smile. “You can say that. I’ve recently come to appreciate the sport more.”
The reporter nods and continues. “Well, it’s a treat for the crowd to see you here. Do you get recognized in London a lot?”
“Not so much,” Landon responds. “But no complaints about that. I spent the day yesterday exploring so many of the landmarks. We’re always wanting to grow appreciation of football here?—“
“American football, you mean…” the reporter interrupts to clarify, since soccer is called football over here.
Landon gives a small, apologetic laugh. “Yes, American football, sorry. We’re always excited to grow awareness of it here in the UK, but it’s also nice to be able to be a normal tourist.”
“Absolutely, understandable. So let’s turn back to tennis. Do you have any favorite players?” the reporter asks.
Landon pauses for the briefest moment, obviously preparing his answer. He then shares, “I’m rooting for the Americans, and of course, I want Rori to win today.”
The reporter seems satisfied with the answer. “Yes, Rori and Malcolm. Exciting times for USA tennis.” I can tell from the background noise that the tennis on the court is resuming, confirmed as the reporter wraps up the interview. “Well, we’ll let you go back to your seat to enjoy the match. Thank you for speaking with us today.”
With that, Maggie pulls her phone from my view, video over.
“That was nicely handled by him,” I observe, still sitting on her bed. “Was there something else?”
She looks up at me, reluctance on her face. She’s so happy-go-lucky and conflict adverse that it’s obvious when she needs to be the bearer of bad news. I stiffen in anticipation of what she might say next.
“It might’ve been well managed, but Rori, there’s another thing. I think your secret might be at risk of coming out.”
She hands me her phone again, and a social media post from a well-circulated gossip blog is now open.
@SOCIALSCOOPS
LANDON BATTLE AND RORI REILLY—A LOVE MATCH?
Landon Battle made an appearance at a Rori Reilly match for the third tournament this year. First the Australian Open, then Miami, and now Wimbledon. Is there a love match brewing, too?
Landon seems to be on a first name basis with the twenty-year-old rising tennis star. He told a reporter that “of course [he] wants Rori to win today.” And on The Bros Know podcast earlier this month, he told the hosts that Rori is “fun and genuine.”
