Page 44 of Bluffed By the Offense

“What’s got you calling, Kate—besides the note of congratulations?”

Treyvon is sitting next to me. He smiles when Kate’s name is mentioned. The guys know. I’ve been under water since the playoffs. If anyone can bail me out, it’s Kate.

“Well … I’ll cut to the chase,” she says. “The footage we shot got sent to a local news station in Nashville. They tacked it on as a human interest story at the end of yesterday’s evening broadcast. That got me thinking. People came out in droves. The turnout had a lot to do with you—and the interest in you and Cass as a couple.”

“We aren’t a couple.” Treyvon’s brows tick up.

I send him a mind your business look, as if that will do any good.

“I know that,” Kate says. “You know that. The public doesn’t know that. And I know you’ve tried to straighten the record. I’m thinking about strategy here.”

I think she’s finished, but then she adds, “What if you don’t?”

I stand and walk to the back of the bus near the restroom. Trey looks up, watching me go. I pull the curtain to that area shut behind me.

My voice is low when I ask, “Don’t straighten the record?”

“Yes. Stop issuing denials. Stop correcting reporters. Stop looking irritated when Cass is mentioned. If you're photographed together at Porch Light, smile. If someone assumes you're dating, don't correct them.”

“We were doing that about the date. Wasn’t that enough? My reputation is rising. Isn’t the mission accomplished?”

She’s quiet for a beat and then she says, “Maybe we just let the story breathe.”

“People will assume we’re dating. They’re already leaning in that direction.”

“I know. And I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.”

“You're telling me to pretend to date Cass?”

“No. I'm telling you to completely stop fighting a story that already has legs since it's helping everyone involved.”

I’m quiet, trying to wrap my brain around what Kate’s suggesting.

She pushes forward. “People came out to volunteer, but a lot of them were there to see the two of you together. And that benefitted the community. More volunteers, more eyes on this project. That’s all good. And your image—the man dating the local philanthropist? That’s good stuff. Brands love that. The team management loves it. I say, ride it out. Don’t deny it. What can it hurt?”

“I don’t know, Kate.”

I do love bringing more visibility and support to Porch Light. And I’m grateful for my image being boosted. I’m not a fan of deceiving people. And I had thought this ran its course already.

As if she’s reading my thoughts, Kate says, “This will die down. I’m not asking you to fabricate a story or even pretend to date Cass. I’m just saying, full stop on denial. Roll with it.”

“Denying it wasn’t doing any good anyway,” I say.

“Exactly. Well, good.”

“And what about Cass?”

“What about her?” Kate asks.

“She’s going to deny this if anyone asks.”

“Let her. It will spur curiosity. And, I think it might even end up serving the narrative in a whole methinks thou dost protest too much sort of way.”

“Bringing out the big guns now, huh, Kate?” I say. “Shakespeare?”

“If Shakespeare helps me get my job done, then yes.”

I chuckle. “Okay. I won’t deny anymore.”