Page 113 of Rule 4: Never Get Stranded with a Sports Reporter

“It’s true,” Rex says, reading my mind.

The feat probably doesn’t deserve a great deal of wonder. Everyone in the room is equally astounded.

I swallow a deep breath of air and attempt to square my shoulders. “Of course. However I can help.”

Rex smiles, but it’s tighter than I like, as if he’s not completely pleased.

Why would he assign me something if he’s not sure I can do it?

I thought it would take longer before I can interview people on TV. I thought I needed to write more articles, pay my dues, hustle, hustle, hustle.

“Who do you want me to interview?” I ask.

I have an idea, and I don’t like it.

“Jason Larvik,” Rex says.

My stomach drops.

He wants me to interview Jason, but Jason doesn’t want to be interviewed. He was exceedingly, exceedingly clear about it. And though he might grant me an interview, I don’t want him to feel obligated. I don’t want to benefit in any manner from the closeness we reached.

I shift in my seat. “I, um, mentioned before that I wanted to recuse myself from any interviews with him...”

Rex sighs. “Yes, you mentioned that.”

“That still stands.” My throat dries, but I manage to keep my voice steady.

“I was afraid you would say that.” Rex’s eyes narrow. “But perhaps you should also know you were specifically requested.”

I tense. Is Rex going to tell me some high-up board member specifically requested me to do the interview? Or perhaps even the CEO?

Rex isn’t going to want to go back to his higher ups and say he failed to get his newest worker to do an important interview for the company. That’s not how I build a career here. That’s not how I grow my reputation in the industry.

And yet...

I’m not going to put Jason through any pain.

I won’t.

I can’t.

I don’t want him to remember our time together and think I was just using him.

“That doesn’t change anything.” I manage to keep my voice from wobbling, but my leg shakes, as if I’m trying to dig a hole through the conference room floor, so I can escape this room, escape this building, escape this life.

“Larvik will be disappointed.” Rex presses his lips together. “I’ll see if I can get him to accept an interview with someone else, but he was clear when he requested the interview that he wanted you to be the interviewer.”

“Jason wants me to interview him?”

Jason didn’t mention it.

Rex narrows his eyes, and I force myself to inhale.

“I’m sorry, sir. I did hear you the first time. I just didn’t expect that. I’ll do it.”

A strange look passes over Rex’s face, but he nods. “Excellent. Have Chloe set up a one-to-one this afternoon so I can get you up to speed on television interview requirements. This one will be live.”

“L-live?” I stammer.