Page 10 of My Brother's Enemy
His eyebrows furrowed. “With Tyler Griffin?”
“You did your research. You should know about the rivalry between him and my brothers.”
“Yes.” He drew out the word, seeming confused. “They’re rivals. It’s well known in the league, but how does that pertain to you? Your connection to them is not public knowledge, and you won’t be here when your brothers play us. Unless the issue is more personal than the league is aware of?”
Right. He knew about the public rivalry between them. It was well documented on social media. And people loved it because the hatred was real between my brothers and Griffin, but that wasn’t the whole story. “It began in high school.”
“Your teams were rivals?”
I nodded. “We met each other at the state championship every year for a while there.”
“I’ve seen a few of the older videos,” he confirmed.
I’m sure he was familiar with the chant my school was famous for: “Fuck you, Oakes. Fuck you, Griff.” Social media had still been new back then, but there were videos floating around with hundreds of my schoolmates chanting those words over and over in the arena for the championship game and also later in the hotel where we’d gathered. Twenty floors, with classmates on every floor chanting, “Fuck you, Oakes. Fuck you, Griff.” It was… It was something.
Their school had tried to counter, but it was futile. There was a hostility in Greenville that overpowered the students from Oakes. Sometimes I wished I’d transferred to another school. I could’ve done it. I was already working and supporting myself by sixteen. But I hadn’t wanted to waste my money paying rent somewhere else, not while our dad was still letting me stay at the house. Once I turned eighteen, he’d made it clear he expected me out of there. So I’d begun saving up as soon as I could start a job.
“I’m sure you’ve seen all sorts of interesting things on the internet,” I told him. “But I don’t believe Griff knows my connection to my brothers.” I winced, realizing I’d slipped and used his nickname.
“And you’re worried about that?” Mal’s lip curved down. “He doesn’t, right? I want to make sure about that.”
I shifted in my seat. “I don’t believe he does. But if he ever were to find out, we should have a plan in motion for my dismissal.”
“Dismissal?” His eyebrows arched high. “You’re talking about yours?”
“Yes.”
“You’re certain his reaction will be so negative? You won’t be able to do your job?”
I shifted again, looking away. “If he were to learn of my connection, he might connect other dots. The high school rivalry got personal at times.” I met Mal’s gaze but made sure not to actually see him. I looked through him. It’s the way I coped whenever thoughts about my family came to me. “I have no reason to believe he’ll find out. Barely anyone knew back then, and I have no contact with my family. But it’d be unprofessional of me not to let you know about the situation.”
He nodded. “What kind of plan are you thinking?”
“Some of my work will depend on the team, but with every job, I set different goals in motion. I’ll keep those goals updated, including techniques being used and their progress. If you still want to proceed with the plan I’ve created, I’d feel more comfortable if there was a replacement ready—someone who could step in and finish the work toward the goals I’d have in place, especially considering the sensitivity of any ongoing work.”
His eyes widened, and he took his time in responding. “Right. Well… I do want to move forward with you. Your results speak for themselves, so I’m not worried about that. Regarding Griffin, let me worry about him. Hmmm?”
“And a potential replacement?”
“Do you have a few names put together?”
“Yes.”Yes. We were moving away from anything personal and focusing on my work. My shoulders relaxed as I held out a list for him. “Here you go. For what it’s worth, I have this set up with any job I do. It’s just that because of Griffin’s involvement; it’s a bit more relevant than with my other clients.”
He took the list, sparing it a glance before setting it aside. “Of course. That’s just smart planning. I’m sure your past clients have appreciated the foresight.”
I smiled. That was nice to hear.
“I can have all of this added to your contract,” he continued. “But in the meantime, what do you need from me? What are your first steps?”
I ignored the sudden kick of nerves. “It’s time to meet your players.”
8
TYLER
“You ready for this?” Jesse Ray asked.
I glanced up from my seat in front of my locker as more of the guys showed up in the locker room. When I nodded, he sat beside me and started to change for practice.
