“I love her.”
“Then make sure she knows it by the time you’ve finished this interview. Oh, and there will be a print version coming out next week with the interview as well. We want to cover all the bases.” She pats my cheek. I hope I don’t fuck this up, too.
We avoid the reporters lining the street outside the studio. Never in my life has the media paid so much attention to me as they have in the weeks since messing up with Violet. No one cares about the playoffs or how close we are to the Stanley Cup. All the media wants to hear about is why I broke Violet’s heart on national TV, because clearly we were in a relationship.
Janette accompanies me to the green room. She shoos away the makeup people. “You look like hell, I want to keep it that way.”
I assume she knows what she’s doing, so I don’t argue.
“How do you feel?” Janette adjusts the collar of my shirt and tries to smooth my hair.
“Like I’m going to puke.”
She puts her hands on my shoulders. “You can do this, Alex. Just be honest. You’re an absolute doll. Show the drama-loving public you’re not a jerk.”
“Okay.” She pats me on the back and sends me out into the jaws of the interview shark, Angelica Chase.
The questions start out easy enough. They’re pretty standard and revolve around the playoffs and the potential to compete for the Stanley Cup. I give the humble answers I’m used to providing.
Eventually Angelica, moves on to questions surrounding my fight with Butterson and the rumors that he’s dating my sister. They’re meant to provoke, as Sunny and Butterson have made no attempt to hide their relationship. I know she’s going to bring up Violet next; it’s always the perfect segue.
“Over the past several months you’ve been seen with your teammate, Buck Butterson’s stepsister. Recently you intimated you were just friends. Your comment seemed to incite animosity between you and Buck. Would you care to discuss some of the rumors floating around about you?”
I look to Janette, standing in the wings. She nods, and I take a deep breath, ready to spill it.
“Violet and I have never been just friends.”
“Mmm.” She nods her agreement. “Media coverage certainly suggests there’s more going on between you than friendship. So you lied in your previous interview?”
I wipe my damp palms on my thighs. This is it. I need to come clean if I have a hope in hell of winning Violet back. “I did. It was a terrible mistake. It cost me my relationship with Violet.”
“And why would you lie about your relationship?”
“Because I’m an asshole.” Janette gives me her death stare from the wings. I’m not doing well so far. “Sorry. I mean a jerk.”
“It’s fine, we can cut that out.” Angelica relaxes in her chair. “Would you care to elaborate?”
“I’m not used to being forthcoming in interviews, not where my personal life is concerned.”
“You’ve certainly never seemed to mind the media attention before.”
I nod. This honesty thing isn’t as simple as I thought it would be. “I’ve always assumed publicity, no matter what form it comes in, is positive, even if it makes me look like a player and a jerk. Recently, I allowed some endorsement opportunities to cloud my judgement.”
“I’m not sure I understand.” Angelica slow blinks. “You’re saying you lied in order to secure an endorsement?”
I reach for the glass on the table and take a long drink, working to formulate a response that isn’t going to dig me into a deeper hole.
“We all have goals. There were questions about whether or not I’d be able to handle the demands of NHL hockey when I was drafted. I had to prove myself as a valuable player. I didn’t get this far without working for it, so when the endorsement I’ve been striving for became a possibility, I listened to some bad advice without considering how it would affect the people I care about.”
“Are you referring to Beautiful People’s Bachelor of the Year shortlist? Word has it you’re expected to be in the top ten. Are there others?”
“I can’t talk about them. They’re hardly worth it if it means I lose the person I love, though, are they?” I look at Janette in the wings, concerned I’ve said the wrong thing. She smiles encouragingly, so I focus my attention on Angelica.
“So you’re saying you love her? Violet Hall? Buck Butterson’s sister?”
“Yeah. I’m in love with Violet.”
She leans forward, lowering her voice, “Does she know that?”
“She does now.”
Angelica grins and settles back in her chair. “I assume your relationship with Violet has created tension between you and your teammates.”
“We’re all trying to stay focused on the playoffs and the game, but yeah, it’s been difficult. I’m not proud of how I managed the situation, and this may be my only chance to tell Violet how I feel.”
Angelica folds her hands under her chin. “Why do you say that?”