“Are you sure this will work?”I questioned.
“I’d never have suggested it if I’d doubted it would work,” he said with confidence.
I thought for a moment.If Larson or Thompkins had brought this to me, there was no way in hell I’d even consider it.
“Fine.Tell them fine,” I said, feeling defeated.
“Colton, I promise you, this will work.Since you have been out of the negative spotlight for so long, this should have blown over quickly.We’ve concocted the story that you’ve broken up with your long-time girlfriend, Emma, and that is why you’ve gotten into hot water.We’ve already submitted the interview with you announcing the breakup and what led you to your decisions that night, and next we are going to start with your reconnection.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose and shook my head.“You did what?What interview?”I questioned.
“Just calm down.I provided the answers for the interview.”
“Even my agent betrays me?”I questioned.
“I’ve done everything for you.The article will go to print today.”
“Great, I can’t wait to read it.”
“I focused mostly on the heartbreak you felt that led you to make that decision that night.”
I shook my head in disbelief.“What am I, twelve?Oh, and newsflash, I’ve dated no one that the public knows about.The only girls I’ve been photographed with were the girls associated with my gambling addiction.”
“We’re aware.We are still working on the details, but I assure you we took all of that into consideration.Once she arrives, we will get photographs of the two of you in a public setting and release the next article about rekindling.”
“I see.Boy, you guys have really thought this through.”
“I was up all hours last night on a conference call with Emma figuring this out.”
“Oh, I bet you were.”I sighed.
“You will make a public announcement at the opening dinner apologizing to the team and your teammates and to the public.Then, at some point, we will do an in-home shoot with you and Emma.”
“Why would we do an in-home shoot?”
Kent shifted from foot to foot while looking at me.
“Well, they will want to capture images of you and Emma together,” he answered.“Everyone loves a love story, especially one they can be a part of.Our aim is to get you going viral on all Puck-Lit-Love pages.”
“What the hell is that?”I questioned.
“Well, it’s super popular according to Emma.It is a forum that brings romance readers together for their love of hockey, and since we want to target the female population a little more because of the angle we are aiming at, when she suggested it, I thought it was brilliant.”
“Uh-huh, I bet you did.”I moaned, rolling my eyes.“I’m still failing to understand why they would capture pictures at my home if I’m out in the public with her?”
Kent let out a sigh.“Colton, I know it won’t be easy having a stranger living in your home, but?—”
“Whoa, wait a minute, who the hell said anything about her living in my home?She’s here to do a few photo ops, attend a few games, and that is all.”
“No, Colton, this has to be real.It has to be believable.I think it’s safe to say that if you were in a relationship with someone for six years, you’d have her stay at your home, not in a hotel.”
“Yep, that is probably a safe assumption—assuming I am dating someone, but I’m not.Why don’t you just tell the media I had a moment of poor judgment.Jesus,” I said, running my fingers through my hair.“That will be more believable than this facade.”
“Colton, we need to fix this.We need to reinvent your image.People cannot be afraid of you, and right now, they are.So, we need you to show tenderness, compassion and…a very human side of you.”
“To a fake-ass relationship,” I said, irritated that I’d allowed this conversation to continue.
“You need to let people in, show them your personal side, let them know about the charity work?—”
