Page 26 of Play of Love
I shook my head. Upstairs scared me, and the thought of going up to where he slept and did whatever the hell he did with those women turned my stomach.
“What’s it like?” I gritted my teeth, scared to hear the answer.
Hilda’s perfectly arched brows furrowed. “Like a dump and a brewery mixed together.”
He drank too much. Far too much, and I wasn’t sure if a PA could help with that. The frequency and amount he drank required a therapist, or possibly rehab. But I would see how waking early went first. After that I could maybe speak to Zelda about getting him additional help.
“Let’s go grab something to eat and get back to sorting this place out. Make sure he helps you when we get back.”
Hilda giggled. “Yes, and I can check him out while I work.”
I laughed too. It was good things were under some control. I needed that. Here’s hoping it would work out the way I wanted.
* * *
Josh
* * *
I focused on the TV as I listened to her talk. I was actually listening, but I was pretending I was focusing on the TV and drinking my beer.
I was only doing this whole following her lead because the little Disney princess was right. Last night I thought about what Corey said and it freaked me out to consider the possibility of being cut from the team. If that happened I would most likely flounder in the world until I met my end.
I was by no means okay, and Miss I’m-not-from-Kansas-and-my-name-is-Amy was definitely irritating the hell out of me, but I was listening.
I needed help to get myself in order for that damn show. It was bad enough that I had to take on the daunting task of waking up early, but I felt like I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready to be the Joshua Mancini the world knew. The strong, confident athlete who could handle himself in any situation. It was unnerving to think that I’d have to go on ESPN, of all the networks, where everyone was guaranteed to watch.
I wasn’t ready and it felt like I was being forced to grieve quickly so the team could use me again.
“We’ve got a host of people inviting you to various events after the show. How do you feel about one appearance a day until training starts?” She stood next to me with her stupid fabric-covered notebook with glitter on it. I looked at her without commenting, then focused my attention back to the TV. I was watching Jerry Springer and the main guest just found out that his wife of six years was sleeping with his father.
I didn’t understand how people could be so scandalous, and going on a TV show to reveal something like that was beyond me. Now the poor guy was so devastated he was in tears.
Although I couldn’t have had better examples than my parents, I didn’t believe in love and marriage. I thought the whole thing was a farce and a money-making scheme.
Look at this guy on the show. How much had he gotten just for the appearance? And damn, Jerry Springer for the matter. The man must have made millions from exposing people’s secret lives and whatever crap had ruined their marriages and relationships.
“Josh, are you listening to me?”
“No,” I retorted with cold sarcasm.
Shit, now she moved to stand in front of the TV, and was definitely better looking than Jerry Springer, and so much better to look at in those tight jeans, but annoyingly irritating.
“I really need you to listen.” She lifted her chin, meeting my gaze straight on.
“Nope, it’s five past five, go home.”
“I’m on overtime.” The damn princess tossed her golden locks over her delicate shoulders in a gesture of defiance.
“Didn’t realize you loved working here that much.” I grimaced.
“So, how do you feel about doing these appearances? People want to see you out there again.”
“What people?”
Hope filled her eyes when I said that. “There’s a few schools and charities, an appearance on the Today Show, a couple of photo shoots for mags like Men’s Health and GQ.”
What the hell? Why did GQ want me again? I wasn’t some damn model. In my younger days that would have all soundedsoexciting.
