He chuckled. “You think I didn’t know that?”
She looked genuinely surprised. “You knew?”
“Look. I’ve been around the league long enough to know what it looks like when a guy gets railroaded out of town. The media doesn’t just decide they hate a guy and conspire to get rid of him all on their own. It’s always done with the team’s bidding.”
“So … you knew about the gag order, too?”
Dane’s ears perked up. “Gag order?”
“Thayer told me about it earlier today. Mr. Baumbach doesn’t want any articles written about Campbell or Hathaway, and they’ll revoke the press credentials of any media outfit who does. That’s why you couldn’t get anyone to print your story.”
“Huh. I didn’t know that, actually.”
“And the front office issickof you trying to force the issue, Dane. They want to trade you, but they’re worried about blowback from the fans. Thayer has this personal mission to make the fans hate you so they won’t revolt when you finally get traded. And it’sworking,because you keep fighting the media and playing right into Thayer’s hands.”
“Well, let’s be honest here. No matter what I say, you guys aren’t exactly covering me fairly.” He paused for effect. “Your interview, for example.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry, but like I said, I was taken off the project after we filmed it. I had no idea they were planning on releasing something like that.”
Dane stared deep into her eyes, looking for the truth.“So youreallydidn’t know about it, then?”
“I swear to you, I had no idea it’d be like that.”
He could see it in her eyes—she was telling the truth.
She continued. “I thought that video was embarrassing. The editing was so amateurish. The dialogue sounded so unnatural and didn’t flow at all. I’m actually stunned that people fell for it, and the reaction online is completely over the top.”
“I agree,” Dane said, “but why are you telling me all this, anyway?”
“Because it’s not right. Maybe I’m naive, but Istudied journalism in college, and this isnotwhat I signed up for. It’s unethical.”
“Funny. You’re starting to sound like the girl I hoped you might be.” He neared and budged her shoulder. “A young, bright-eyed journalist willing to make waves with a story that everyone else is too scared to touch.”
She backed away. “Even if I wanted to help you from the very beginning, I wouldn’t have been able to. There’s no way I could’ve gotten that story to air—don’t you get that? I work for the Devils too, Dane. I would’ve been fired.”
He shrugged. “Well, then, I gotta be honest with you. I kinda knew this would happen.”
“How’d you know that?”
“It’s what always happens whenever I talk to you guys.”
“Then why’d you ever agree to it in the first place?”
“Best-case scenario? You tell our story. Worst-case scenario? Well, exactly what happened today.” He took a swig of wine and added, “Although, man, it ended up being a lot worse than I thought it’d be.”
“So you really thought I might be able to help you, huh?”
“Little bit.” He paused. “But I also agreed because I thought you were kinda cute. And I could tell you hated my guts, which only made you that much hotter.”
She stared at her shoes. “Please … don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“You know exactly what you’re doing.” She folded her arms defiantly. “Don’t flirt with me. I didn’t come here for that.”
“You don’t take compliments well, do you?”
“That night—” She briefly glanced towards the couch, where they’d kissed. “—it was a mistake. It never should’ve happened.”
