Page 96 of Striking Heat

He fired me.

The fucker fired me because he said my credibility had been called into question for sleeping with the subject of my story. That no one would ever trust me in the world of journalism again. I wish I would have thought to remind him that the Cromwell’s paid our paper a handsome sum for the story to be written in the first place. My girl was smart enough to bring that up, but I hadn’t been. Instead, I had to pack my desk and get the fuck out of the paper.

I call Nick as soon as I’m in my car.

“Hey, man,” I say when he picks up. “I just met with Martin, and I’m sorry to say you’re going to have to find another work wife. I’ve been fired.”

He chuckles into the phone. “I kinda figured you would be after what I saw last night. August said he was going to have to bring it to his father’s attention, and I knew Cromwell would tell Martin.”

“Yeah, guess I should have stopped her or something.”

“Or something,” Nick says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You didn’t have to dry fuck her on the dance floor, that’s for sure.”

“Go big or go home,” I say, trying to find humor in the situation.

“Something like that.” He laughs. “So, no more job, huh?”

“Yeah, no more job.”

“You hated it there anyway,” he reminds me.

He’s right, I did. Ever since Martin took over for our former editor, Ivan, I’ve hated it there. Martin was a little weasel who was only looking for his next buck. So, losing this job isn’t the worst thing to have happened to me. Plus, I have enough money saved up from swimming, endorsements, and my trust fund that I’ll be just fine. I’m not worried, just embarrassed that my integrity was called into question.

I could sell Martin and the paper out and say we were paid for the story, which isn’t ethical either. But I would hate to do that to Nick, who does need the job.

“It is what it is. At least I still have Mac.”

“She still have her job?” he asks.

“Yeah, she just has to behave so they renew her contract, but she’ll be okay.”

“Good. I heard from August that they’re scrimmaging tonight. Would you want to come with me? I have to take pictures, and you could be my plus-one. Watch your girl kick ass and all.”

“Am I welcome there?”

“Yeah, August says it’s not personal, it’s just business.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” I ask him, running a hand through my hair.

“It means he doesn’t care about the article or anything else right now. The Blaze is good with you. You just can’t keep writing articles for them, which probably only pisses off Martin. You and August are friends. He likes you and is okay with you coming. Don’t be such a needy chick about it and come to the game.”

I laugh. “Okay, fine. Thanks for clarifying.”

“You off to see your girl?”

“Nah, she has to get ready for the game and said I can’t come around because she doesn’t want to be distracted or some shit like that. Plus, she doesn’t want her coaches to be pissed at her, so I’m hanging solo for right now.”

“Cool. I’ll make sure I wait for you outside tonight, and you can get in with me and my press pass.”

“Do you really think that prick remembered to take my press pass from me?” I chuckle into the line.

“Dude don’t do it,” he warns. “Not worth it.”

“I’ll only use it if I have trouble getting in,” I say.

“Uh-huh. See you at six.”

We disconnect and I realize that I have more time than I’d like before she plays. I don’t really welcome this distraction as I try and figure out what the next steps will be with my career. I mean I don’t need a job right away, but I’ll want one eventually. What does that even fuck look like anymore? I’m not sure.